5 Summer Picnic Recipes for a Kidney Disease Diet

Everyone has different nutritional needs. Ask a kidney dietitian or a healthcare provider for advice in creating a kidney disease diet plan. 

Welcome to National Kidney Foundation’s picnic spread! Here are five kidney-friendly recipes perfect for long sunny days and warm summer nights. 

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1. Bow-Tie Pasta Salad
2. Grilled Sesame Chicken
3. Lemon Curry Chicken Salad
4. Chicken Fajitas
5. Apple Bread Loaf

1. Bow-Tie Pasta Salad

This low-fat, low-sodium pasta salad is full of flavor and easy to make. It’s sure to become a summer party or picnic favorite. 

Serving size: 1/3 cup

Ingredients 

• 2 cups cooked bow-tie pasta
• ¼ cup chopped celery
• 2 tbsp chopped green pepper
• 2 tbsp shredded carrot
• 2 tsp minced onion
• ⅛ tsp pepper
• ⅔ cup mayonnaise, low-fat
• ½ tsp sugar
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Directions

1. Mix pasta, celery, green pepper, carrot, and onion in a bowl.
2. In a separate small bowl, blend pepper, mayonnaise, sugar, and lemon juice until smooth.
3. Pour over pasta and vegetables.
4. Mix until well-coated.
5. Chill before serving.

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2. Grilled Sesame Chicken

The enticing aroma of our sweet and savory honey-soy sauce caramelizing as it grills is second only to how delicious it tastes. 

Serving size: 1 half chicken breast

Ingredients 

• 1 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted
• 2 tsp grated ginger
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sherry
• 4, 4–oz skinned, boned chicken breast halves
• Vegetable cooking spray

Directions

1. Combine the first 5 ingredients in a small bowl.
2. Set aside.
3. Flatten chicken pieces to ¼–inch thickness using a mallet or rolling pin.
4. Spray the grill with cooking spray.
5. Grill chicken over medium-hot coals for 4 minutes on each side, basting frequently with soy sauce mixture.
6. Transfer to a serving platter.

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3. Lemon Curry Chicken Salad

This tantalizing salad combines tender chicken with juicy halved grapes and crisp sliced celery, creating a delightful blend of textures and tastes that will have you coming back for seconds.

Serving size: 1 cup

Ingredients 

• ¼ cup oil
• 4 tbsp frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
• ¼ tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp curry powder
• ⅛ tsp garlic powder
• 1½ cups cooked diced chicken
• 1½ cups grapes, halved
• ½ cup sliced celery

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine oil, lemonade concentrate, and spices.
2. Add remaining ingredients and toss lightly.
3. Chill.

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4. Chicken Fajitas

Brighten up your summer dinner rotation with these easy-to-make, delicious fajitas. 

Serving size: 4oz

Ingredients 

• 2 chicken breasts (12 ounces)
• 6 tbsp grated 2% Mexican cheese blend
• ½ tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• ½ yellow onion, sliced and cut into strips
• 1 bell pepper, cut into strips
• 6 small corn tortillas

Directions 

1. Cook chicken until 165°F. Let rest. Then, cut.
2. Cook onion until translucent and bell pepper until browned.
3. Toss chicken and vegetables with onion powder, garlic powder, and pepper.
4. Add chicken and cooked vegetables to the tortilla.
5. Top with shredded cheese and enjoy!

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5. Apple Bread Loaf

Searching for a high-fiber vegan dessert that’s also moist and sweet? If so, NKF’s new apple bread loaf is the perfect treat. 

Serving size: 1 slice (0.6”)

Ingredients

• 1 medium apple with peel, grated (1¼ cups unpacked)
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 3 tbsp sugar
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ⅛ tsp salt
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup ground oats

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients.
3. Spray an 8.5” x 4.5” rectangular pan with non-stick spray.
4. Add the mixture to the pan. Bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean.
5. Remove the apple bread from the oven and let it cool. Cut into 12 slices of 0.6”.
6. Store in the refrigerator.

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Get More Recipes

View our kidney superfoods or get more kidney-friendly recipes.

*This content is provided for informational use only and is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for the medical advice of a healthcare professional.