Description
A bright, fresh, and incredibly satisfying grilled chicken salad packed with juicy marinated chicken, crisp vegetables, creamy avocado, and a tangy homemade vinaigrette. It’s perfect for a light summer dinner, meal prep, or a patio lunch with friends. With a balance of smoky, creamy, crunchy, and savory flavors, this recipe is anything but boring. Simple to prep, easy to customize, and completely delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
1. For the chicken marinade:
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp honey (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
2. For the salad:
- 6 cups romaine or mixed greens
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cucumber, thinly sliced
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, sliced
- ½ cup feta or goat cheese, crumbled
- ½ cup grilled corn or bell peppers (optional)
- 2 tbsp toasted sunflower seeds or almonds
3. For the vinaigrette:
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Whisk together all marinade ingredients and coat the chicken. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Grill chicken over medium-high heat for 6–7 minutes per side, until fully cooked. Let rest 5 minutes, then slice.
- While chicken grills, prepare all salad ingredients and place them in a large bowl or platter.
- Whisk together vinaigrette ingredients until emulsified.
- Arrange greens on a platter, then top with chicken and veggies. Drizzle with vinaigrette just before serving.
Notes
- For added richness, grill the avocado halves before slicing.
- This salad can be served warm or cold—either way it’s a winner.
- Double the chicken and store leftovers for wraps or lunch boxes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 95mg