Copycat Culver's Chicken Cashew Salad is a quick and filling salad recipe that's as simple to toss together as it is delicious!
Every time I hit the trail I look forward to seeing a few familiar faces that help distract and get me through a tough (torturous, even? In this heat anyway) run.
First is the older couple I can usually expect about 3/4 miles in. Always walking one ahead of the other, the woman will give me a grin while her partner waves from behind her in one slow arc from his elbow, like a rainbow signaling relief. Nearly 1 mile done!
I can always count on the older gentleman riding his bike at breakneck speeds 1/4 mile later wearing, wait for it — a wrestling singlet with, cough, nothing underneath — for a chuckle to distract me from the sweat that’s generally pouring down my chin at that point.
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Pin ItJazzy power walker lady in her cute visor and walkman gives me an encouraging, I know you’re dying, sweetie, but just keep going! smile near the end of my journey, while the runner’s wave I exchange with a guy I’ve seen lose 100+ pounds over the past couple of years totally inspires me to push through the last 1/4 mile, which is uphill in both directions.
With 15 feet of snow on the ground even in the summertime…
Similarly, there’s nothing that helps get me through a long day quite like knowing dinner isn’t going to be complicated or take a long time to prepare, and that it will be utterly delicious and satisfying to boot.
I almost always have the ingredients on hand to make Copycat Culver’s Chicken Cashew Salad which takes approximitely two minutes to toss together once you cook a chicken breast to perch on top.
Chicken Cashew Salad is my favorite salad from Culver’s, a Midwestern fast-food chain, which I get anytime I’m on the road. Or craving cheese. They have the best cheese.
I make it home a lot for lunch, and it couldn’t be easier to toss together. Just saute or grill a chicken breast then place it on a bed of lettuce studded with sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, cashew halves, and freshly grated cheddar cheese in any amount you like.
No measurements needed in this non-recipe, recipe!
The absolute best part is the freshly grated cheddar cheese that gets sprinkled on top. Freshly grated cheddar is silky, creamy, and smooth, and pairs beautifully with the salty cashews, and sweet cherry tomatoes. Definitely skip the pre-shredded stuff!
I like to dress this salad with a hit of fruity Raspberry Vinaigrette for a nice flavor contrast. However you serve it — enjoy!
Equipment
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts, 1 per person
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Chopped romaine lettuce, 4 cups per person
- Cucumber slices
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cashew halves
- Sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- Raspberry Vinaigrette, or your dressing of choice
Directions
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Brush chicken breasts on both sides with extra virgin olive oil then season with salt and pepper. Saute for 4-5 minutes a side or until no longer pink in the center. Remove to a plate then let rest for 5 minutes and slice.
- In the meantime, divide lettuce between plates. Top with cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, cashew halves, cheddar cheese, and the cooked chicken.
Notes
- Feel free to cook the chicken ahead of time then add on top of the salad chilled.
I am the same way with my runs! This salad looks so much better than the one from Culvers!
we tried those chicken breasts last week, and they are so good! i’d love to hear more about how you choose your healthy meats (what restrictions you follow).
This is my favorite salad from Culvers too – and they used to put black olives in it – soooo yummy!!!
So delicious! I love salads with chicken on!
Looks awesome!! My husband always talks about Culvers but I’ve never been. May next time we’re in Iowa.
I LOVE Culver’s salad…it’s one of the “nicer” restaurants we have in our small town. On another note, I ran for awhile last summer (but had to stop due to horrifying plantar faciitis), and there was this couple who would walk the same loop that I ran on. They’d come together, but he would walk in one direction and she’d walk in the other direction with her friends. Hmmm. Thankfully, he wasn’t wearing a wrestling singlet, though. Ew.
I saw this recipe on your facebook last night, and instantly got a craving for the salad. Unfortunately I didn’t have the right ingredients and there wasn’t a Culver’s near by, so I got a grilled chicken salad at McD’s instead…not the same…not even close *sigh* Next time I’ll just have to stop being lazy and get the ingredients to make it :)
My mom and I always work out together and not only have we named people (Sweaty Guy – wears full on sweatsuits but leaves his long hair down – what?!…seriously FLINGS sweat across the gym – avoid treadmills near him!…Tiny Steps…Uphill TV Guy…) but for one guy in particular, who is very handsome but always looks SO MAD and just walks circle after circle around the tiny track, we have given him a complete backstory! Where he works (bank, but he wanted to be a forest ranger – now feels held down by The Man), what kind of pets he has (2 golden retrievers, King and Chief), why he goes to the gym (knee injury from hiking), favorite music (Tom Petty), etc.
Okay, so now you are going to get me to eat healthier at Culver’s. On the rare occasion that I go, I have to eat a burger. I always say I’m going to try something else, but never do. Now I HAVE to… then I’ll make the copycat at home. It looks so yummy and easy. Thank you!
Chicken and cashews are such a good combination. This looks like a great salad!
I still need to try Culvers! Every time we pass it Taylor always sighs like we’re missing something, haha. My old cardio kickboxing instructor was nicknamed “Barbie” because she was Barbie. Blonde hair, blue eyes, perfect body, always had a smile on her face, cute as a button! Is salad for dessert forbidden?
I laughed out loud b/c my mom always talks about “the shirtless man” — such a fun description if you ask me.
You need to give me photography lesson. Your photos just get more gorgeous every day. ;)