Healthy lunch recipes don’t have to be boring or require hours of meal prep. This roundup is packed with quick, easy, and delicious ideas, from fresh salads and hearty sandwiches to satisfying bowls, to keep lunch exciting all week long!

Collage of healthy lunch recipes including a pita, croissants with chicken salad, strawberry salad and tortilla soup.

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A Note from Kim

Say Goodbye to Boring Lunches

Healthy lunch recipes can make a big difference in how your week goes. When I have a good lunch ready, I feel more energized and focused, and I’m far less tempted to grab something quick or skip a proper meal altogether.

This collection of healthy lunch ideas is full of easy, flavorful dishes you’ll actually look forward to eating. Many are perfect for meal prep, and just 30 minutes to an hour on the weekend can set you up for a smoother, more satisfying week.

With love (and lots of good eats), - Kim

Why You’ll Love Meal Prepping Healthy Lunch Recipes 

  • Save money: Skip the daily takeout and keep your wallet happy by packing lunch at home.
  • Eat healthier: Having meals ready to go helps you avoid last-minute, not-so-great food choices when hunger hits, making it easier to stick to your health goals and keep calories in check.
  • Less stress: No more wondering what’s for lunch, just grab it from the fridge and you’re good to go!

Tips for Meal Prepping Lunch

  • Start small: Meal prep doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Start with just 1–2 lunches for the week. A simple trick is to double a dinner recipe and enjoy the leftovers for lunch the next day. You can also make a big pot of taco soup for the first couple of days, then prep a few mason jar salads midweek to keep things fresh.
  • Make it a routine: Treat meal prep like an appointment. Block off time on your calendar or set a reminder on your phone. It might feel like extra work at first, but once you get into the rhythm, you’ll love having lunch already done for you.
  • Stick with your favorites: After a few weeks, you’ll naturally find go-to recipes that work every time. Once that happens, meal prep gets so much easier, you might even have them memorized!
  • Storing: Most of the healthy lunch recipes in this roundup will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days when stored properly. If you’re looking to prep further in advance, consider freezer-friendly meals so you always have a healthy lunch ready to go.
  • Containers: Having the right storage containers makes meal prep so much easier! I prefer glass meal prep containers because they’re durable, microwave-safe, and great for storing leftovers. Mason jars are perfect for salads, while smaller jars work well for homemade sauces and dressings.

Sandwich and Wrap Lunch Ideas

Sandwiches and wraps are lunchtime classics for a reason, they’re easy to make, endlessly customizable, and perfect for taking on the go. If you’re ready to move beyond the usual peanut butter and jelly, this collection includes everything from creamy chicken salads to fresh wraps packed with protein and veggies. To keep sandwiches and wraps fresh, store wet ingredients separately and assemble just before serving whenever possible.

Tuna salad in a bowl served with crackers.

Best Tuna Salad Recipe

4.92 from 58 votes
A classic tuna salad recipe with simple, delicious ingredients. Flaky tuna is mixed with boiled eggs, crisp celery, onions, sweet pickles, and a creamy mayo dressing. Perfect for sandwiches or creamy tuna melts with some potato chips on the side!
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Curried egg salad in a white bowl with round crackers.

Curried Egg Salad

4.80 from 10 votes
Flavorful Curried Egg Salad is easy to make, yet turns out so creamy and delicious! With a mix of boiled eggs, diced celery, dried cranberries, crunchy pecans and small pieces of apple, it's the perfect combination of sweet and savory. Serve as a sandwich, wrap or with crackers for the perfect lunch!
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Chicken salad with grapes served on a croissant.

Chicken Salad with Grapes

4.91 from 60 votes
Chicken Salad with Grapes is perfect for parties or everyday lunches. It’s packed with flavor, vibrant color, and plenty of delicious textures. This easy salad can be made with leftover grilled chicken, baked chicken, or rotisserie chicken. Serve it on lettuce, pita bread or a croissant roll for a fancy touch! It can also easily be made Whole30, paleo, and gluten free.
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Vegan tacos on a white plate served with lime wedges.

Easy Vegan Tacos

4.64 from 25 votes
These vegan tacos are packed with creamy avocado, tender, flavorful chickpeas and fresh herbs! Ready in under 20 minutes with no cooking heat required, they’re a hearty, nutritious, and totally satisfying plant-based meal the whole family will love.
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Greek chicken salad in a wrap served on a plate.

Greek Chicken Salad (Trader Joe’s Copycat)

5 from 1 vote
This Trader Joe’s Greek Chicken Salad copycat is a quick, flavorful lunch made with chicken, artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, and olives tossed in a creamy dressing. It’s fresh, protein-packed, and easy to make at home.
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Bowl filled with avocado tuna salad near tortilla chips.

Easy Avocado Tuna Salad

4.63 from 32 votes
This Easy Avocado Tuna Salad is a delicious, healthier twist on the traditional recipe. There's no mayo needed, thanks to the creamy rich avocado. It's super flavorful, easy to make and the perfect 5-minute, no cook lunch or dinner; that’s packed with protein and nutrition. Pile it on bread for a tasty sandwich, stuff it in a tortilla wrap or scoop it in lettuce cups. Great for Whole30, Paleo, Keto and low-carb diets.
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pesto chicken salad served in a pita with potato chips

Arugula Pesto Chicken Salad

4.73 from 11 votes
Easy homemade arugula pesto adds big flavor to this family favorite pesto chicken salad! Layer Arugula Pesto Chicken Salad on sandwich rolls or stuff it in a pita with greens and sliced tomatoes for a delicious lunch.
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Sweet Potato Black Bean Burritos on a white plate garnished with cilantro.

Sweet Potato Black Bean Vegetarian Burritos

4.55 from 20 votes
Healthy Sweet Potato Black Bean Vegetarian Burritos stuffed with sweet potato, black beans, avocado and brown rice. They're gluten-free, vegan and make a fabulous breakfast, lunch or dinner that's ready in under 30 minutes!
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Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad in a white bowl served with tortilla chips

Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad

4.63 from 51 votes
This Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad is the BEST and a family favorite we make on the regular! It’s an easy, tasty mix of tuna, cottage cheese, avocado, corn, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, black olives, and Dijon.
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Cranberry chicken salad served on slices of bread.

Cranberry Chicken Salad

5 from 1 vote
Cranberry chicken salad is the perfect mix of creamy, crunchy, and a little sweet in every bite. Tender chicken is tossed with crisp celery, cranberries, and pecans in a tangy, creamy dressing made with fresh lemon juice that's hard to resist. It’s quick to make and perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or crackers!
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healthy egg salad sandwich served on wheat bread

Healthy Egg Salad

3.97 from 105 votes
A super easy, healthy egg salad recipe that can be served in a variety of ways for a nutritious lunch.
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Italian Chicken Wraps on parchment paper

Italian Chicken Wraps

5 from 10 votes
Italian Chicken Wraps with chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, Parmesan cheese, croutons, and Italian dressing all wrapped up in a soft tortilla.
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Jalapeño popper chicken salad sandwich with lettuce.

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

5 from 2 votes
Creamy, cheesy, and a little spicy, this jalapeño popper chicken salad is perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or scooping with chips.
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Pimento cheese sandwich served with chips.

Pimiento Cheese BLT Sandwiches

4.91 from 10 votes
5-Ingredient pimiento cheese BLT sandwiches are crisp, fresh, flavorful, and so delicious.
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Honey mustard chicken salad in a bowl with pita chips and a spoon.

Honey Mustard Chicken Salad

5 from 12 votes
Fresh, crunchy, and full of flavor, this Honey Mustard Chicken Salad is the perfect mix of sweet and tangy. It’s quick to throw together and makes a delicious lunch or light dinner you’ll actually look forward to.
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Three stacked pulled pork sliders made with coleslaw and pork.

Easy Pulled Pork Sliders

4.55 from 105 votes
These Pulled Pork Sliders are warm, flavorful sandwiches loaded with tender pork and coleslaw. Brushed with savory poppy seed butter and baked golden, they’re quick to make and perfect for parties, game day, or easy dinners.
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Looking for a fun healthy lunch idea? Well, I’ve partnered with Blue Harbor Fish Co to bring you these delicious Waldorf Tuna Salad Pitas that are light and fresh, full of flavor and only take about 5 minutes to make!

Waldorf Tuna Salad Pitas

4.60 from 5 votes
Delicious Waldorf Tuna Salad Pitas – light and fresh, full of flavor and can be made super quick!
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Curried chicken salad served with croissants and crackers.

Curried Chicken Salad

5 from 37 votes
Delicious Curried Chicken Salad is the perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors! This twist on the classic is made with shredded chicken, crisp celery, juicy chunks of apple, red onion, sweet cranberries, toasted pecans and an incredible curry seasoned dressing. It takes less than 15 minutes to put this together and the leftovers are wonderful! 
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Chicken salad with apples in a bowl with lettuce.

Chicken Salad with Apples

5 from 3 votes
This Chicken Salad with Apples is creamy, crisp, and full of sweet and savory flavor. Ready in just 15 minutes for a fresh, feel-good lunch you’ll actually look forward to!
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Sandwich made with a croissant and pineapple chicken salad.

Pineapple Chicken Salad

4.67 from 12 votes
This Pineapple Chicken Salad is a mouthwatering flavor bomb. It's delicious, tangy, slightly sweet and anything but boring! Easy to make with shredded chicken, grapes, crushed pineapple, almonds, green onion and creamy mayonnaise, this recipe will be on repeat for make-ahead lunches!
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ground chicken over rice in lettuce cups

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

4.59 from 24 votes
These flavorful Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps are super easy to make with ground chicken (or turkey) and veggies cooked in an irresistible Asian-inspired sauce and served in crisp lettuce cups. A PF Chang’s copycat recipe that’s light, healthy and tastes even better than the restaurant version!
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Serving healthy chicken salad with a wooden spoon out of a white bowl.

Healthy Chicken Salad

4.49 from 27 votes
This Healthy Chicken Salad is creamy, flavorful and packed with protein! A mix of Greek yogurt and mayo keeps it light yet rich, with the perfect balance of tangy and classic flavors. Great for meal prep, sandwiches, wraps or a quick high-protein snack with crackers!
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Soups and Chilis

There’s nothing better than opening the fridge and finding a homemade soup or chili ready to go for lunch. These cozy, satisfying recipes are perfect for meal prep because they taste even better the next day. I like to portion them into individual containers so it’s easy to grab, reheat, and enjoy throughout the week.

healthy taco soup topped with sliced avocado and fresh cilantro

Healthy Taco Soup

4.56 from 54 votes
This healthy taco soup recipe is beyond delicious and so easy. It's a hearty blend of lean ground turkey, black beans, corn, crushed tomatoes and seasonings, all simmered to perfection. An easy dinner option that’s kid friendly and quick to make! It will be one of those go-to hearty soup recipes you make again and again!
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grilled cheese dipped into a bowl of roasted tomato soup

Roasted Tomato Soup

4.86 from 49 votes
There's no better way to use up fresh tomatoes than this creamy, flavorful Roasted Tomato Soup! Rich, creamy and comforting, this homemade tomato soup recipe is made with slow roasted tomatoes, onion, garlic, and cream for major deliciousness and the perfect velvety texture. Serve with crusty bread or grilled cheese sandwiches for dunking!
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Beef chili served in bowls with cheese, sour cream and avocado.

Beef Chili Recipe

4.58 from 169 votes
If you’re looking for the ultimate beef chili recipe, you’re in the right place. This no-bean version is rich, hearty, and just happens to be award-winning. There’s nothing better than a warm bowl on a cool day, and this one is easy to make and perfect for game day, cozy winter nights, or anytime you’re craving comfort food.
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Healthy chicken tortilla soup topped with tortilla strips, avocado and fresh cilantro.

Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup

4.57 from 91 votes
Warm, comforting, and packed with flavor, this healthy chicken tortilla soup is everything you want on a busy weeknight. Loaded with tender chicken, hearty veggies, and a touch of spice, it’s easy to make, nourishing, and endlessly customizable with your favorite toppings.
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butternut squash soup served in white bowls with crusty bread

Butternut Squash Soup

4.41 from 37 votes
Deliciously creamy and nourishing butternut squash soup is just what you need for a quick, cozy dinner at home. It's flavorful, easy, gluten-free and vegan!
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Chicken enchilada soup topped with sour cream, cilantro, jalapeños and lime.

Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup

4.33 from 46 votes
Creamy and comforting, this Chicken Enchilada Soup is loaded with shredded chicken, fire-roasted tomatoes, black beans, corn and spices in a creamy broth. This easy recipe takes only 30 minutes from start to finish for the perfect quick weeknight dinner for the whole family!
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Chicken noodle soup served in a white bowl with a spoon and saltine crackers.

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

4.86 from 14 votes
Cozy, comforting, and ready in no time, this Easy Chicken Noodle Soup is a weeknight hero. Loaded with tender chicken, hearty veggies, and perfectly cooked noodles, it’s the kind of soup that warms you from the inside out.
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vegetarian chili served with cornbread

Best Vegetarian Chili

4.41 from 50 votes
An easy quinoa chili that comes together in less than 1 hour! Easy, delicious, super healthy and so satisfying!
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Vegetable beef soup cooking in a slow cooker.

Vegetable Beef Soup

4.20 from 94 votes
Homemade Vegetable Beef Soup is made so easy either on the stovetop or in the slow cooker. It's loaded with tender chunks of beef, hearty veggies and is simmered in a rich tomato broth. An easy, cozy, satisfying meal that's perfect to enjoy during the winter season!
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A bowl of sweet potato chili topped with shredded cheese, sour cream and a lime wedge.

Beef Sweet Potato Chili

4.82 from 22 votes
Perfectly spiced, thick and hearty Sweet Potato Chili features ground beef, a blend of colorful vegetables, two types of beans and delicious seasonings, all simmered together to make a comforting and delicious meal. Top with fresh cilantro, sour cream, and a handful of freshly grated cheese for dinner ready in just over 30 minutes.
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Slow cooker chicken tortilla soup in a white bowl with a spoon.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

4.59 from 65 votes
Delicious Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup is a tasty combination of chicken, beans, tomatoes, and plenty of spices. Top it all off with tortilla strips and other favorite Mexican soup toppings, like sliced avocado and fresh cilantro.
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creamy chicken tortilla soup topped with cheese, avocado and fresh cilantro

Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

3.95 from 131 votes
Delicious Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup is loaded with tender chicken, corn, beans, fajita seasoning and is simmered in a rich, velvety broth. Finish with your favorite toppings for an easy one-pot dinner that the whole family will love!
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Potato soup topped with bacon and shredded cheese.

Classic Potato Soup

5 from 3 votes
Nothing beats a bowl of Classic Potato Soup on a cold day. Tender potatoes and savory flavors come together in a rich, creamy broth that feels like home in every spoonful.
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red lentil soup served with crusty bread

Red Lentil Soup

4.79 from 14 votes
Bringing you major warm, cozy and comforting vibes with a tasty red lentil soup! This lentil soup is so easy to make and it's loaded with nourishing vegetables, warm spices and red lentils, all simmered in a savory veggie broth. An easy one pot dinner option that the whole family will love!
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Potato leek soup served in a blue bowl with crusty bread.

Potato Leek Soup

5 from 10 votes
Potato leek soup is a comforting classic with rich, satisfying flavor. Tender potatoes and mild, sweet leeks create a smooth, velvety soup that’s perfect for chilly days. It’s easy to make with simple ingredients and pairs deliciously with crusty bread!
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chicken pot pie soup served with a biscuit on top

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

4.23 from 9 votes
Deliciously creamy chicken pot pie soup topped with puff pastry croutons is comfort food at its finest. This soup is packed with chicken, veggies and amazing flavor. Leave it to Ina Garten to come up with the coziest, most incredible chicken pot pie soup recipe! Even your picky eaters will love this one!
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bowl of broccoli cheese soup topped with bacon, sour cream and shredded cheese

Broccoli Cheese Soup

5 from 9 votes
Deliciously creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup packed with veggies and wonderful cheesy flavor! This comforting soup recipe is easy to make and tastes so much better than the restaurant version. Top it with a dollop of sour cream and crispy bacon crumbles for a loaded broccoli cheese soup!
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bison chili topped with avocado and fresh cilantro

Bison Chili

4.87 from 46 votes
Rich and hearty homemade Bison Chili loaded with vegetables and beans is the best comfort food! This easy chili recipe simmers for just 30-minutes and is guaranteed to be your go-to recipe for cooler weather. Serve with your favorite chili toppings, then wrap your hands around the bowl and let the chili deliciousness warm you from the inside out!
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Bowls and Salads

Bowls and salads are some of my favorite healthy lunch options because they’re packed with fresh flavors, filling ingredients, and are so easy to customize. Whether you’re craving a hearty grain bowl, a protein-packed salad, or something loaded with fresh veggies, these recipes will keep lunch exciting all week long. Store dressings and toppings separately until you’re ready to eat to keep everything fresh and crisp.

Layered salad in a jar with a creamy white dressing, corn, black beans, chicken and lettuce.

Salad in a Jar

5 from 4 votes
Delicious Southwest Salad in a Jar is quick and easy to make, and perfect for meal prep! Tender chicken is layered with crunchy cucumbers, fresh tomatoes, corn, black beans and crisp lettuce with creamy dressing in a jar. So, you don’t have to worry about your veggies getting soggy or bringing a separate container for dressing!
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southwest salad topped with chicken, cheese and tortilla strips

Southwest Salad with Avocado Dressing

5 from 9 votes
This southwest salad is a delicious blend of our favorite Tex-Mex ingredients tossed in a creamy avocado dressing!
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Hamburger bowl topped with sautéed onions, pickles and fries.

Hamburger Bowls

5 from 5 votes
Hamburger Bowls are like your favorite burger, deconstructed and served in a bowl! These are packed with delicious flavor and amazing texture, you’ll be obsessed! Easy to make with tender ground beef (or turkey), caramelized onion, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, cheese and French fries; all topped off with the best special sauce!
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Ramen noodle salad on a large white serving tray with salad spoons.

Ramen Noodle Salad

5 from 1 vote
Ramen Noodle Salad is a quick, flavorful dish that’s perfect for any occasion! With crunchy noodles, fresh veggies and a tangy dressing, it’s an easy crowd-pleaser that’s great for potlucks, barbecues, or a light lunch.
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Pesto pasta tossed with cherry tomatoes and black olives.

Pesto Pasta

4.89 from 26 votes
Flavorful Pesto Pasta is quick and easy to make with just 5 ingredients in 15 minutes! It is the perfect pasta salad for potlucks and parties, or busy weeknights. Enjoy on its own or with your favorite proteins for the perfect main dish or side!
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taco salad topped with Catalina dressing

Taco Salad

3.75 from 4 votes
Taco salad is easy to make with lean ground beef, and a rainbow of fresh ingredients like bell pepper, ripe tomatoes, crisp lettuce, beans, sweet corn and avocado, all tossed in a zesty light Catalina dressing and topped off with tortilla chips.
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burrito bowls topped with chicken, avocado and dressing

Chicken Burrito Bowls

4.18 from 45 votes
Delicious chicken burrito bowls are loaded with fajita chicken, veggies, black beans, rice, fresh lettuce, avocado and an easy cilantro lime dressing. This recipe is super versatile and perfect for meal prep dinner or lunch. These easy, flavorful burrito bowls are sure to become a family favorite!
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apple chicken salad with red onion, pecans, and tomato

Copycat Panera Bread Fuji Apple Chicken Salad

4.28 from 11 votes
This copycat Panera Bread fuji apple chicken salad is made with a fresh and delicious combination of mixed greens tossed with red onion, ripe tomatoes, chicken, roasted pecans, crisp apple chips, and Gorgonzola cheese. Drizzle the delicious fuji apple dressing over this salad and enjoy an incredible lunch or dinner!
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Rotini pasta with shrimp, veggies and avocado.

Shrimp Pasta Salad

5 from 13 votes
Delicious Shrimp Pasta Salad is a flavorful mix of shrimp, fresh vegetables, and creamy avocado with tri-color rotini, all tossed in a zesty ranch Italian dressing. A light and refreshing side dish or main course option that’s perfect for feeding a crowd!
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Couscous salad with cherry tomatoes and fresh basil.

White Bean Couscous Salad

5 from 12 votes
This flavorful couscous salad works as a vegetarian main dish or a side that pairs well with almost anything!
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BBQ chicken salad served with crushed tortilla chips in a white bowl.

BBQ Chicken Salad

5 from 4 votes
This BBQ Chicken Salad is a party on your plate and full of wonderful flavor. It's a fresh and colorful combination of grilled BBQ chicken, veggies, beans, avocado and tortilla chips, all tossed in a barbecue ranch dressing. This dish is a real crowd pleaser!
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Spinach Strawberry Salad served with baked chicken and poppy seed dressing

Spinach Strawberry Salad with Poppyseed Dressing

5 from 16 votes
Spinach Strawberry Salad with Poppyseed Dressing is the salad of the season! Made with a blend of baby spinach leaves, fresh berries, red onion, apple slices, almonds, bacon, feta cheese, avocado, all topped off with tender baked chicken and tossed in a homemade poppyseed dressing, it's the perfect fresh and colorful lunch or light dinner.
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spinach salad topped with chicken

My Favorite Spinach Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

5 from 3 votes
This spinach salad is always a hit and so easy to make with a tasty combination of sweet and savory ingredients, and tossed with a delicious homemade balsamic vinaigrette. It's also really versatile – sub in whatever greens, nuts, or cheese that you have on hand.
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Greek salad served with pita chips.

Summer Greek Salad

4.80 from 5 votes
This fresh Greek Salad is summer in every bite! Bursting with juicy tomato, crisp cucumbers, briny olives, and creamy feta, it’s the perfect no-cook dish to celebrate the season’s best produce.
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