Towering Chicken and Cabbage Salad with Toasted Almonds
A crisp and vibrant salad stacked with shredded chicken, crunchy cabbage, and toasted almonds tossed in a tangy vinaigrette. This american-inspired salads (high protein, gluten free) ready in about 35 minutes pairs green cabbage, shredded, red cabbage, shredded, medium carrot, julienned into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 pieces (about 12 oz) boneless skinless chicken breast
- 3 cups green cabbage, shredded
- 2 cups red cabbage, shredded
- 1 medium carrot, julienned
- 1/3 cup toasted sliced almonds
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts in a medium saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Remove and let cool, then shred into bite-size pieces.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 3 cups shredded green cabbage, 2 cups shredded red cabbage, and 1 medium julienned carrot.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 4: Toss the cabbage mixture with the dressing until evenly coated.
- Step 5: To serve, stack the dressed cabbage salad on plates, top with the shredded chicken, and sprinkle 1/3 cup toasted sliced almonds over the top for crunch.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Towering Chicken and Cabbage Salad with Toasted Almonds take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Towering Chicken and Cabbage Salad with Toasted Almonds?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep green cabbage, shredded from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Towering Chicken and Cabbage Salad with Toasted Almonds?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Towering Chicken and Cabbage Salad with Toasted Almonds for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Towering Chicken and Cabbage Salad with Toasted Almonds high protein?
Yes — this recipe is tagged high protein, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
