Salad is typically my least favorite way to consume vegetables, but there are some flavor combos that are so good, it feels like treating yourself even when the ingredient list seems ho-hum.

This salad is about halfway to my mother’s “taco salad,” stopping shy of crunched up corn chips and a handful of delicious though not-always-necessary ingredients. What makes this a great salad to have in the rotation is the simplicity – you probably have all the ingredients (or almost all) right now and it comes together in 10 minutes. Perfect summer lunch.

Also, take it easy on the dressing. If anyone feels like they don’t like salad, here are my suggestions – make it yourself, use less dressing than you think, and toss it all together before serving. Oh, and season it, for Heaven’s sake. Beyond the dressing – salt and pepper at least.

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Garden Chicken Salad with Spicy Thousand Island

A really tasty salad and homemade dressing made from ingredients you probably have on hand. Sub regular sweet relish for spicy pepper relish if you want to avoid the spice all together.

Ingredients

• 5 cups lettuces iceberg, butter, green leaf – thoroughly chopped
• 1/2 large carrot shredded
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper small diced
• 1/2 cucumber small diced
• 1 large green onion small sliced
• 1/2 can black beans drained, rinsed
• 1 1/2 cups shredded chicken leftover grilled or rotisserie chicken works perfect

For the Spicy Thousand Island

• 1/4 cup mayonaise or veganaise
• 1 1/2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp spicy pepper sweet relish sub normal sweet relish if you don't want any spice
• 2 tsp shallot or red onion minced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp honey

Finishing Ingredients

• 2 radishes washed, quartered
• 1 handful cherry tomatoes washed, halved
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• In a bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients and set aside. For more heat, you can add a few drops of Tobasco sauce.
• In a large bowl, toss the main ingredients together. Top with the dressing and gently toss until coated evenly. Season with salt and pepper, top with the finishing ingredients and enjoy!