If you want to try something new and healthy for lunch but don't want to give up high-protein foods, add spicy skinned chicken breasts and garlic avocado slices to your salads. Chicken is a great way to get the protein you need each day without sacrificing taste and flavor in your salads. Avocados provide lutein for good vision, potassium for healthy muscle function, and 18 other nutrients that keep your body strong. If you work out or want to increase muscle strength, the protein in chicken and the nutrients in avocados may help you do so. Try the easy cooking steps below to create this go-to meal for your new diet.

Marinate Your Chicken and Toss Your Avocado in Garlic

One of the best things about chicken is that you can marinate it in the refrigerator before you use it in your culinary dishes and salads. Soaking your skinless chicken breasts in 1 cup of cold water, two whole garlic cloves, 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder, and a pinch of salt infuses flavor and color in the meat. You can also add 1/4 teaspoonful of cayenne pepper flakes to the marinade for more flavor and spice.

To marinate the meat properly, slice one medium-sized chicken breast in 1/4-thick pieces, then place the slices in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours in a sealed container to keep them from spoiling or developing bacteria. If you want to reduce your calorie intake, cut the breast in half and freeze one of the pieces for later. One medium-sized piece without the skin contains 282 calories after you cook it. You only obtain 141 calories from your chicken breast if you cut it in half.

While you marinate your sliced chicken breast, toss one small avocado in 2 teaspoonfuls of extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, and 1 pinch of black pepper. Place the avocado slices in an airtight container to seal in their freshness and to keep them from turning brown. 

Put Your Salad Together

Preparing your salad isn't difficult. Remove the chicken from its marinade, then saute it on low heat until done or golden brown. Now, do the following:

1. Place 2 cups of finely cut and washed iceberg lettuce on a large plate. 
2. Add 1 cup of sliced cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup of cubed cucumber slices, and 1/2 cup of shredded carrots to the lettuce (or any other fresh veggies that you like).
3. Layer slices of your chicken breast and avocado over the other ingredients, then sprinkle 1/2 cup of grated provolone cheese for calcium.
4. Serve without salad dressing to keep from losing the flavor of the chicken and avocado.

Because you cut the protein down in your chicken breast when you halved it, you can add 1 teaspoon of whole almonds to the salad to make up for it. For more fresh chicken meal ideas talk with a restaurant, like Cochran's Cafeteria, for more information. Or, if you just want to have a splurge day from your diet, visit your favorite local restaurant and try something new.