Two Tasty Salads Made with Leftover Turkey (or Chicken)

If you’re anything like us, over-catering on Christmas day seems to be part of the festive fun – but what’s not so fun is throwing away the abundance of leftovers. Here are two tasty salads made with leftover turkey or chicken to help you tackle Christmas food waste this year plus they are great when you’re feeling like something fresh and light.

Thai Chicken Salad With A Coconut, And Peanut Dressing

Thai Spiced Chicken or Turkey

  • 2 Tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 Tbsp green curry paste
  • 2 cups leftover roasted chicken or turkey, shredded
  • 1 Tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 Tbsp tamari


Dressing

  • ⅓ cup coconut cream
  • ½ cup coriander
  • 1 Tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 Tbsp grated ginger
  • 1 lemon, juice
  • ½ green chilli
  • 2 Tbsp peanuts, roasted


Salad

  • 1 small green apple, finely sliced matchsticks
  • ½ cucumber, halved lengthways, deseeded and sliced
  • 250g green beans, ends removed and halved
  • 100g vermicelli noodles
  • ¼ cup long thread coconut, toasted
  • ¼ cup peanuts, roasted
  1. Start by cooking the noodles, soak them in a bowl of boiling water for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2.  Remove the ends from the green beans and steam for 3-4 minutes until they are cooked through, but still have a crunch to them. As soon as they have cooked, transfer them into a bowl of iced water for a couple of minutes before draining and setting aside.
  3.  Add the coconut oil and curry paste to a large frying pan over medium heat, cook the curry paste for 1-2 minutes. Add the shredded chicken or turkey, stir to coat in the fragrant coconut oil and then cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to get nice and crispy. Add the tamari and fish sauce; stir to evenly distribute then cook for a further 3 minutes. Set aside while you prepare the rest of the salad.
  4.  To make the dressing, add all of the ingredients to a blender. Blend until the dressing is beautifully creamy and green.
  5.  To assemble the salad add the apple, cucumber, green beans, and noodles to a large bowl. Pour over half of the dressing and toss well. Top with the chicken, peanuts and coconut threads. Pour over the remaining salad dressing and garnish with the coriander and fresh chilli.

Creamy Coriander Pesto Chicken Salad

Chicken

  • 2-3 cups leftover chicken or turkey, shredded


Coriander pesto

  • ¼ cup cashews, soaked in boiling water for at least 10 minutes, then drain
  • 1 cup fresh coriander
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 tsp dijon mustard
  • 1 lemon, juice and zest
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • Pinch of salt and pepper


Salad

  • 1 cup frozen peas, defrosted
  • 1 small red onion or shallot, finely sliced
  • ⅓ cup almonds, roasted and roughly chopped
  • 125g mixed leaf lettuce
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  1. Add all of the coriander pesto ingredients into a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth, creamy and vibrant green.
  2. Add the leftover chicken or turkey to a mixing bowl with the dressing. Toss well to coat the chicken in the pesto. Add the peas, almonds and red onion; toss gently and season to taste.
  3. Arrange the salad leaves on the base of a large plate or platter, top with the chicken/ turkey mixture and finally the sliced avocado.

Share This Post

Recent Posts

Why Your Hormones Need More Protein, According to a Women’s Hormone Specialist

One of the most impactful choices women can make for their overall health is to fuel themselves properly, at all meals of the day. High-protein lunches, in particular, play a crucial role in supporting proper hormonal function and good energy levels.

Everything You Need to Know About How to Meal Prep

With just an hour or so of prep on a Sunday, you can reclaim precious time throughout the week, effortlessly throwing together healthy dishes!

5 Effective Ways to Set Yourself Up for a Great Week of Eating

Working towards or maintaining healthy eating habits is not just about what you consume, but also about the habits you cultivate around food.

Elevate Your Eating Habits: The Power of Meal Planning and Prep

A dynamic tool to help you gain autonomy in your food choices while nurturing a healthier, more sustainable relationship with what you eat.

In the Kitchen with Emily, Co-Founder of Mother Made

A series where we take a closer look into how the everyday cook fills up their cup, fridge, pantry, and bellies.

In the Kitchen with Jess, Co-Founder of Mother Made

A series where we take a closer look into how the everyday cook fills up their cup, fridge, pantry, and bellies.