Chicken, Cucumber and Nectarine Salad

By Lidey Heuck

Published Aug. 29, 2025

Chicken, Cucumber and Nectarine Salad
Julia Gartland for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Barrett Washburne.
Total Time
20 minutes
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
5 minutes
Rating
5(115)
Comments
Read comments

This light yet satisfying summery salad is meant to be flexible and adaptable, the kind of easy weekday recipe that helps you turn the odds and ends in your fridge into a quick and healthy meal. Consider swapping in torn mozzarella or goat cheese for the feta, using basil instead of mint, or using any roasted nuts you’ve got on hand. If you can’t find a ripe nectarine, a peach, a plum or a handful of juicy berries would work great, too. The key is to keep the ingredients fresh and bright, and to dress the salad just before eating it so everything stays crisp. Serve with a cold glass of white wine and a nice hunk of bread on the side.

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: Give recipes to anyone

    As a subscriber, you have 10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers. Learn more.

    Subscribe

  • Share this recipe

  • Print this recipe

Advertisement

Ingredients

Yield:4 servings 
  • 2tablespoons Champagne or white wine vinegar 
  • 1teaspoon honey
  • ½teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal) and black pepper
  • ¼cup extra-virgin olive oil 
  • 5ounces Little Gem, butter or romaine lettuce, any large pieces torn in half 
  • 1large, ripe nectarine, halved and pitted
  • 1½ cups shredded cooked chicken, from a rotisserie chicken or homemade
  • 1cup ½-inch-diced English cucumber
  • ½cup roasted salted cashews, coarsely chopped
  • ⅓cup crumbled feta (about 2 ounces) 
  • ⅓cup fresh mint leaves, torn 
  • 1large or 2 small scallions, white and green parts chopped
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

381 calories; 28 grams fat; 6 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 16 grams monounsaturated fat; 4 grams polyunsaturated fat; 15 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 6 grams sugars; 20 grams protein; 506 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Powered by

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Make the dressing: In a large serving bowl, combine the vinegar, honey, mustard, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Gradually whisk in the olive oil.

  2. Step 2

    Add the lettuce and toss gently but thoroughly with tongs or your hands.

  3. Step 3

    Cut nectarine into ½-inch thick slices, then stack the slices and cut them in half crosswise. Add to the bowl, along with the chicken, cucumber, cashews, feta, mint and scallions. Toss gently. Season to taste with more salt and pepper and serve immediately.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Comment on this recipe and see it here.

Ratings

5 out of 5
115 user ratings
Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Comments

Sarah Indianapolis

I don’t shop where there is a rotisserie chicken, but Trader Joe’s has a smoked pulled chicken (and pork also) which I think would be amazing here!

MG

This is an easy and flavorful summer lunch option. I used pistachios in lieu of cashews and chives in lieu of scallions, a milder oniony flavor given the nectarine. I added fresh basil. Next time will try with cashews.

pfr

This was simple and delicious. Dry roasted cashews, nectarine, raw scallion - so many nicely balanced contrasting flavors and textures. (FTR, a few minor tweaks—used sliced air-fried frozen chicken breast strips because rotisserie wasn’t handy and goat cheese because there’s a feta hater in the household. Added avocado because why not.)

France

Didn’t have roasted chicken and made it with deli sliced bbq chicken! Happy to report t’was fantastic!

SANDY B

I USED BASIL INSTEAD OF MINT. IT WORKED NICELY.

Elizabeth

Delicious and refreshing on a hot summer day!

Private comments are only visible to you.

Recipe Tags

or to save this recipe.