Looking for a quick, healthy, and satisfying meal? This 10-Minute High Protein Broccoli Salad is packed with crisp broccoli, protein-rich ingredients, crunchy vegetables, and a creamy, tangy dressing. It’s perfect for meal prep, potlucks, lunchboxes, or a light dinner. Ready in just 10 minutes, this salad delivers plenty of flavor while keeping you full for hours.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ready in just 10 minutes
High in protein and fiber
Fresh, crunchy, and flavorful
Great for meal prep
Naturally gluten-free
Easy to customize
Perfect as a side dish or complete meal

Ingredients

For the Salad

4 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced
2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
¼ cup roasted sunflower seeds
¼ cup sliced almonds
¼ cup diced red onion
½ cup diced red bell pepper
¼ cup chopped green onions
¼ cup cooked crispy turkey bacon or regular bacon, crumbled (optional)

High Protein Dressing

¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Equipment Needed

Large mixing bowl
Small bowl
Cutting board
Sharp knife
Measuring cups and spoons
Mixing spoon

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Broccoli

Wash the broccoli thoroughly and dry it well. Cut it into small bite-sized florets for easier eating.

If you prefer a slightly softer texture, blanch the broccoli in boiling water for 30 seconds, then immediately transfer it to ice water before draining thoroughly.

Step 2: Prepare the Protein

Dice the cooked chicken breast into small cubes.

Peel and chop the hard-boiled eggs.

Cook and crumble the turkey bacon if using.

Step 3: Chop the Vegetables

Dice the:

Red onion
Red bell pepper
Green onions

Set aside.

Step 4: Make the Dressing

In a small bowl combine:

Greek yogurt
Mayonnaise
Dijon mustard
Apple cider vinegar
Honey
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Salt
Black pepper

Whisk until smooth and creamy.

Step 5: Assemble the Salad

In a large bowl combine:

Broccoli
Chicken
Eggs
Cheddar cheese
Bell pepper
Red onion
Green onions
Sunflower seeds
Almonds
Bacon (optional)

Pour the dressing over everything.

Toss until evenly coated.

Step 6: Serve

Serve immediately for maximum crunch, or refrigerate for 20–30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)

Calories: 320
Protein: 27 g
Carbohydrates: 13 g
Fat: 18 g
Fiber: 4 g
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 410 mg

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary depending on the ingredients used.

Recipe Tips

Cut the broccoli into small pieces so it absorbs more dressing.
Pat the broccoli dry after washing to prevent a watery salad.
Rotisserie chicken works well if you’re short on time.
Toast the almonds lightly for extra flavor.
Chill the salad for 20 minutes before serving if you prefer a more blended flavor.

Variations

Vegetarian Version

Skip the chicken and bacon. Add:

Chickpeas
Edamame
Extra hard-boiled eggs
Cottage cheese

Low-Carb Version

Replace the honey with a sugar-free sweetener.

Extra Crunch

Mix in:

Pumpkin seeds
Chopped pecans
Walnuts
Cashews

Spicy Version

Add:

Crushed red pepper flakes
Diced jalapeño
A dash of hot sauce

Mediterranean Style