• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Salads with Anastasia logo
  • SALAD RECIPES
  • SALAD COLLECTIONS
  • SALAD DRESSINGS
  • SALAD VEGGIES
  • ABOUT
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

Home » Salads by Diet » Low Carb

Keto Curry Chicken Salad (Madras style)

Made by Anastasia Papapetros - Serves 4 Filed Under: Dinner Salads, Low Carb, Paleo, Salad Index, Summer Salads, Winter Salads

Share
Pin51
Tweet
Share

Our Keto Curry Chicken Salad is a healthier version than most as we use a delectably zingy citrus cumin vinaigrette. A satisfying main meal salad for any occasion that is sooo good for you!

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
Keto Curry Chicken Salad in a dark grey patterned bowl with an orange linen napkin at bottom right corner and mint leaves on left.

This is a healthy curry chicken salad recipe; we skip out on the mayo, sultanas and nuts that you find in most chicken salad recipes. Instead, we use fresh a, colourful array of veggies, and grilled curry chicken tenders all tossed in a zingy citrus dressing - delicious AND healthy!!!

Table of contents

  • Let’s Talk Ingredients & Substitutions
  • You Will Need
  • Our Top Tips
  • How to Make It (step-by-step)
  • Common Questions (FAQs) & More Tips
  • Looking for more main meal salads?
  • Recipe Card
  • Pin Me Now & Save for Later!

What do I love about this low carb curry chicken salad?
The wonderful spicy aromas especially if you take the time to toast the cumin seeds, it gives them a wonderful nutty flavour and works well with the citrus juices, mint leaves and the Madras chicken tenders.


Let’s Talk Ingredients & Substitutions

  • Chicken tenders - perfect as they are soft juicy and well ‘tender’ but you can use chicken thighs instead. But, if you prefer to use chicken breasts, be careful that you don’t overcook them as they can become dry.
  • Madras curry powder - now, of course, I would prefer that you either make your own or that you visit a specialty spice shop to buy your Madras. But, you can also find it in the spice section of several larger supermarkets or just use a plain curry blend instead.
  • Coconut oil - I just love the wonderful aroma it brings to the chicken, swap for some extra virgin olive oil if you have to.
  • Mixed salad leaves - used to bulk-up this salad, swap with baby spinach, rocket/arugula leaves or a soft leaf lettuce or cos/romaine lettuce would also work well here.
  • Carrot and cucumber - for a pop of colour and crunch, you could try adding some coloured peppers as well or instead.
  • Avocado - for added creaminess and to boost the satiety of this salad keeping you fuller for longer. Try some cooked edamame instead.
  • Fresh mint - used for its fresh aroma, swap for coriander/cilantro if you like.
  • Citrus cumin vinaigrette - this zesty aromatic dressing just pairs so well with all the flavours of this salad. If you want a fuss free version just use some lime juice and extra virgin olive oil and if you can be bothered to add a few cumin seeds you won't regret it!

You Will Need

Labelled ingredients needed to make Keto Curry Chicken Salad.

Our Top Tips

  • If you marinate the chicken the night before and allow the flavours to develop it will be even tastier. The coconut oil will harden in the fridge, so bring the chicken to room temperature before cooking.
  • You can tell your chicken is ready to turn over when you see it turn white around the edges.
  • It is done when it feels slightly firm yet spongy (not rock hard) when you press down on it with your tongs or fork.
  • Do not overcrowd your pan with the chicken tenders as they will not fry and turn golden brown but will end up stewing.
  • Take the time to toast your cumin seeds for this salad as it gives them a wonderful nutty flavour that works well with the citrus juices and the fresh mint.

How to Make It (step-by-step)

Step 1 - Marinate the chicken.

Cut your chicken tenders in half lengthwise to make 12 pieces.

Then place them in a medium bowl with one tablespoon of the melted coconut oil and the madras powder.

Season with salt and pepper and mix until combined, allow to marinate while you are preparing the rest of the ingredients.

CHICKEN TENDERS WITH MADRAS SPICE & COCONUT OIL
PLACE TENDERS, MADRAS & OIL IN A TRAY
MIXED CHICKEN TENDERS WITH MADRAS & COCONUT OIL
MIX UNTIL THE TENDERS ARE WELL COATED

Step 2 - Prepare the vegetables

In the meantime, prepare your vegetables.

Peel your carrot, wash it well and cut off the tops and ends, cut it in half lengthwise and slice on the diagonal.

Wash your cucumber, cut in half and remove the seeds with a teaspoon, then slice on the diagonal.

Wash your mixed salad leaves and then either pat or spin dry using a salad spinner for extra dry leaves and a tastier salad.

Wash the mint, shake and pat dry then strip the leaves from the stems.

Peel your avocado, remove the pit, cut it into slices and squeeze some lemon juice on top to prevent it from browning.

Transfer all your cut vegetables into a large mixing bowl.

WASHING SALAD LEAVES IN STRAINER UNDER COLD WATER
RINSE UNDER COLD WATER
WASHED MIXED LEAVES IN SALAD SPINNER
WASH & DRY YOUR LEAVES
CUTTING CARROS ON THE DIAGONAL
CUT YOUR CARROTS DIAGONALLY
CUTTING DESEED CUCUMBER ON THE DIAGONAL
DESEED & CUT CUCUMBERS DIAGONALLY
PICKING MINT LEAVES FROM STEMS
STRIP THE LEAVES FROM STEmS
SLICING AVOCADO HALF
SLICE YOUR AVOCADO

Step 3 - Cook your chicken

Heat a non-stick frypan or chargrill pan on your stove until hot, add the remaining tablespoon of coconut oil, then add the chicken tenderloins, a few at a time. You don't want to overcrowd the pan as they will stew in the juices and not brown.

Cook the chicken tenders in the hot pan until lightly browned and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. See our top tips for how to tell if your chicken is cooked.

FRYING CHICKEN TENDERS IN A PAN
PLACE YOUR TENDERS IN A HOT PAN
FRYING CHICKEN TENDERS IN A PAN
COOK UNTIL GOLDEN

Step 4 - Shake-up vinaigrette

Add all your vinaigrette ingredients to a glass jar, season and shake until emulsified (this just means that the oil and citrus juices have come together).

CITRUS-CUMIN-VINAIGREET-INGREDIENTS IN A GLASS JAR
PUT VINAIGRETTE INGREDIENTS IN A JAR
SHAKEN-CITRUS-CUMIN-VINAIGRETTE INGREDIENTS IN A GLASS JAR
SHAKE UNTIL EMULSIFIED

Step 5 - Assemble your salad

Place all your vegetables in a mixing bowl, pour the dressing over the salad, season with salt and pepper and toss until the salad is well coated with the dressing.

Arrange the salad on one side of a large salad platter and the chicken tenders on the other. Serve within an hour of preparing and enjoy!

CURRY CHICKEN SALAD VEGETABLE INGREDIENTS IN A BOWL
PLACE ALL YOUR VEGETABLES IN A BOWL
MIXING CURRY CHICKEN SALAD VEGETABLE INGREDIENTS IN A BOWL
MIX UNTIL WELL COMBINED
Keto Curry Chicken Salad in a dark grey patterned bowl with an orange linen napkin at bottom right corner and mint leaves on left.
ARRANGE CHICKEN ON ONE SIDE, SALAD ON THE OTHER THEN SERVE & ENJOY!

Serving Suggestions

Keto Curry Chicken Salad makes a substantial meal on its own or you can serve it as part of an Indian feast alongside your favourite mains such as -

  • Chickpea curry
  • Simple lamb Rogan josh
  • Fragrant pilau rice

Common Questions (FAQs) & More Tips

Can Curry Chicken Salad be made ahead?

You can easily prepare and cook the chicken the day before.
Make the vinaigrette a day or two in advance, it keeps well in the fridge. But, bring it to room temperature before using it in your salad as the oils would have hardened.
It can be prepared an hour or two in advance, just leave out your vinaigrette to add to your salad just before serving.
Also, make sure that you squeeze a generous amount of lemon juice on your avocado slices to prevent it from browning or add your avocado at the last minute.

How can I food prep for packed lunches?

Make it without the dressing, pour the dressing into a separate container, to add to your salad just before eating.
Squeeze lots of lemon on your avocado, so that it does not brown or cut into the salad the day before.
Instead of salad greens use cos/romaine lettuce or massaged kale as they hold up better
Ensure that your mint leaves are dry before adding so that they don’t discolour.
Consider making it on a cos leaf and adding the vegetables and chicken on top with the vinaigrette on the side.

How can I store the leftovers?

This salad will keep for a day or two (at the absolute most) in the fridge, even though the leaves may have wilted.
Store it in an airtight container, without the excess liquid.

Recommended Equipment

You know whenever there are salad leaves involved I am going to suggest using a salad spinner - right? Well, use a salad spinner for extra dry leaves and a tastier salad!
A good non-stick pan or char-grill pan for cooking your chicken is also handy to have.

Dietary Information

This is a low-carb salad that is suitable for keto, paleo, gluten-free and nut-free diets.
Each of our serves contains approximately 450 kcals and total net carbs of 7 grams. (Please note we use a nutritional database to calculate the nutritional information and it should be considered an estimate).

Keto Curry Chicken Salad in a dark grey patterned bowl with an orange linen napkin at bottom right corner and mint leaves on left.

Looking for more main meal salads?

CLOSE UP OF BROCCOLINI SALAD WITH CRISPY CHORIZO & FETA
BROCCOLINI SALAD WITH CRISPY CHORIZO
WILD RICE SALAD IN PORTRAIT
WILD RICE & ASIAN MUSHROOMS

Recipe Card

Keto Curry Chicken Salad in a dark grey patterned bowl with an orange linen napkin at bottom right corner and mint leaves on left.

Keto Curry Chicken Salad (Madras style)

Our Keto Curry Chicken Salad is a healthier version than most as we use a delectably zingy citrus cumin vinaigrette. A satisfying main meal salad for any occasion.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
* Times are an estimate and will depend on your skill level
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: curry chicken, keto salad, low carb salad
Difficulty: Intermediate
Diet: dairy free, Gluten free, Keto, Low Carb, nut free, Paleo, Whole30
Servings: 4 as a main
Calories: 450kcal
Author: Anastasia Papapetros
Toggle to prevent your screen from going dark
Equipment
  • 1 Char Grill Pan or Non Stick Frypan
  • 1 Salad Spinner
Ingredients
For the Madras chicken
  • 6 chicken tenderloins (approximately 350 grams or 12.3 ounces)
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil, metled
  • 2 teaspoons Madras curry powder*
For the salad
  • 60 grams mixed salad leaves (2 cups, tightly packed approximately 2.11 ounces)
  • 100 grams carrot (1 medium, approximately 3.5 ounces)
  • 100 grams Lebanese cucumber (1 medium, approximately 3.5 ounces)
  • 350 grams avocado (1 medium, approximately 12.3 ounces)
  • ¼ cup mint leaves
  • Sea salt and cracked black pepper
For the vinaigrette
  • 3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, extra virgin
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons cumin seeds, toasted
Metric - Imperial
Instructions
  • Cut your chicken tenders in half lengthwise to make 12 pieces. Then place them in a medium bowl with the melted coconut oil, the madras powder, then season and mix until combined, allow to marinate while you are preparing the rest of the ingredients.
  • Peel your carrot, wash, trim the ends, cut it in half lengthwise and slice on the diagonal.
  • Wash your cucumber, cut in half and remove the seeds with a teaspoon, then slice on the diagonal.
  • Wash your mixed salad leaves and spin dry using a salad spinner.
  • Wash the mint, shake and pat dry then strip the leaves from the stems.
  • Peel your avocado, remove the pit then cut into slices.
  • Heat a non-stick frypan or chargrill pan on your stove until hot, then add the chicken tenderloins. Cook the chicken tenders, in batches, in the hot pan until lightly browned and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. See my tips in the post on how to tell if your chicken is cooked.
  • Add all your vinaigrette ingredients to a glass jar and shake until emulsified.
  • Place all your vegetables in a mixing bowl, pour the dressing over the salad, season with salt and pepper and toss until the salad is well coated with the dressing. Taste and adjust to your liking.
  • Arrange the salad on one side of a large salad platter and the chicken tenders on the other. Serve and Enjoy!

Video

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
Calories: 450kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 133mg | Potassium: 957mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 4673IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @salads_with_anastasia or tag #salads_with_anastasia!

Pin Me Now & Save for Later!

Keto Curry Chicken Salad in a dark grey patterned bowl sitting on top a hessian place matt with a text and graphic overlay.

Share
Pin51
Tweet
Share

More Low Carb

  • Cucumber Carrot Salad in a white bowl garnished with mint and a mint sprig on the side.
    Aromatic Cucumber Carrot Salad
  • Mediterranean tomato feta salad in a dark blue bowl with basil sprig and salt and pepper on the side.
    Mediterranean Tomato Feta Salad
  • Kale lemon parmesan salad in white bowl on dark grey round board & kale leaves on the side.
    Kale Lemon Parmesan Salad
  • Turkish red cabbage salad in a mint coloured bowl with parsley and zaatar in a small bowl on the side.
    Turkish Red Cabbage Salad a.k.a. Kebab Shop Salad

About Anastasia Papapetros

Anastasia has been passionate about cooking since she was eight years old, and hasn't left the kitchen since! With over a decade of experience running her own coffee shop and catering business, Anastasia has developed a true love for salads - especially for family get-togethers and friends' functions. She's the go-to for bringing the perfect salad to any occasion!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

ANASTASIA FROM SALADS WITH ANASTASIA

Hi, I’m Anastasia,
Let me show you how to transform your salads from boring and limp to bright, fresh and exciting using in-season produce.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Looking for a recipe?

Greek Salad Collection

NARROW PICS OF VARIOUS GREEK SALADS WITH A TEXT OVERLAY

Cheesy Salad Collection

Various salads with cheese and a text overlay.

Green Salad Collection

VARIETY OF GREEN SALADS WITH TEXT OVERLAY

Asian Salads

ASIAN SALAD COLLECTION WITH TEXT OVERLAY

Footer

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About Me
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Site Credits
  • Contact Me

Sign-up for new salad recipes!

Recipes & Tools

  • Salads
  • Dressings
  • Spices & Condiments
  • Salad Tools
  • How to Guides
  • What's in Season
  • Let's Shop!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2020 · Salads with Anastasia · All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsOKAY
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT