Chicken Black Bean & Kale Salad

This is a dish that can also be made vegetarian… making it easy to cater to various diets. Plus recipes like this are thumbs up in my family because it’s super delicious and healthy… but it also fills a hungry tummy… which we find many salads don’t do!

It all starts with the Amazing Avocado Lime Dressing 😋 which is the foundation for this fabulous dish… great pot luck too!

Ingredients

• Salad:
• 1 bunch of curly green or Tuscan kale, center stem removed & chopped into bite-sized pieces
• ¼ teaspoon pink Himalayan or sea salt
• 2 cups cooked cauliflower/broccoli rice or quinoa/rice
• 15 oz can of black beans, rinsed & drained
• ⅓-½ cup finely chopped red onion
• ½ cup chopped red bell peppers
• ¼-½ cup favorite roasted seeds or nuts (pumpkin seeds, almond slivers, pine nuts would be great)
• 1 lb chicken breast/thigh, cooked & chopped (optional)

• Avocado-Lime Dressing:
• 1 ripe avocado
• ½ cup tightly packed cilantro, chopped
• ¼ cup cold-pressed olive oil or avocado oil
• 1 – 2 limes, juiced (depending on how much lime flavor you like)
• 1 garlic clove, chopped (or more!)
• ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon pink Himalayan or sea salt
• ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more to taste)
• Filtered water for thinner consistency
• 1-2 scoops Optima Life Superfood Pumpkin Seed powder (optional)

• For vegetarian version: omit chicken. Could add in additional veggies like shredded carrots, chopped tomatoes, or your preferred plant-based protein.  *Even without the chicken using Optima Life Superfood Pumpkin Seed provides the protein!!  

• For Paleo version: omit black beans and use either cauliflower or broccoli rice

• **This recipe is delicious with or without the chicken!**

Instructions

1. To a large mixing bowl, add in chopped up kale and salt. Massage with hands by squeezing and releasing until kale turns a beautiful dark green color; about 1 minute. Add in the rest of the salad ingredients.
2. Make the dressing by adding all of your ingredients except the avocado to a food processor and blending up. Add in avocado and blend up until creamy, adding additional filtered water to reach desired consistency.
3. Pour dressing over salad and toss together. Enjoy!
4. Store salad in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Ingredient Highlights

Avocados are high in fiber and contain more potassium than bananas! The fat in avocado helps your body absorb the vitamins and antioxidants from other plant foods. 

Black beans are prized for their high protein and fiber content, but they also help strengthen bones, lower blood pressure, and protect the heart.

Cauliflower is a healthy cruciferous vegetable that’s high in fiber. It’s loaded with nutrients including vitamins C, K, and B6, and potassium.

Cayenne pepper is a good source of beta carotene and antioxidants that support the immune system. The key compound in cayenne called capsaicin is also cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, helps prevent kidney stones and speed up metabolism and has beneficial effects on the GI system.

Cilantro helps cleanse the body of toxic metals such as mercury, arsenic, and lead. It also possesses antibacterial and anticancer properties.

Cumin has a distinctly warm and earthy flavor and is a popular culinary spice in India, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. As a medicinal herb, cumin is traditionally used to provide relief from digestive issues. 

Garlic is a member of the allium family (which also includes onion, scallion, shallot, leek, and chives) and is clinically shown to support the immune system.

Kale contains the omega-3 fatty acid ALA, which is a potent antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals. It’s also an excellent source of vitamins K, A, and C, as well as copper and manganese.

Limes are best known as a good source of vitamin C but also contain other important vitamins and minerals including magnesium, potassium, folate, and vitamins A, E, and K.

Pure olive oil is high in nutrients including vitamins D, E, K, and A as well as omega-3 fatty acids. For the highest quality, look for organic extra virgin olive oil in dark glass bottles or tins that have an expiry date.

**Optima Life Superfood Pumpkin Seed Protein - simple clean food!   

Gluten Free Lady
Holistic Influencer

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