Zesty Grilled Chicken Salad Recipe: Fresh & Flavorful Magic

Grilled chicken salad offers a refreshing twist on classic meal options, blending vibrant ingredients with lean protein for a satisfying dining experience.

Crisp vegetables and tender meat create a harmonious balance that delights nutritious-minded individuals seeking flavorful alternatives.

Seasonal ingredients elevate this dish beyond ordinary lunch fare, revamping simple components into a culinary masterpiece.

Summer gatherings or quick weeknight dinners become extraordinary with this versatile recipe that appeals to health-conscious eaters.

Mediterranean and southwestern influences infuse remarkable depth into every carefully crafted bite, making each forkful a delightful adventure.

Light yet substantial, this meal provides essential nutrients without compromising on taste or visual appeal.

You will love how quickly this recipe comes together, requiring minimal preparation and delivering maximum satisfaction.

Why Grilled Chicken Salad Deserves a Spot on Your Table

• Savor Smoky Grilled Perfection: The medium-high heat creates a perfectly charred chicken exterior while keeping the inside juicy and tender, infusing deep, smoky flavors from the coriander and oregano seasoning.
• Enjoy Fresh Mediterranean Fusion: Packed with vibrant vegetables like crisp cucumbers, ripe tomatoes, creamy avocado, and tangy feta, this salad offers a delightful blend of textures and Mediterranean-inspired ingredients.
• Whip Up Quick Weeknight Wellness: Ready in under 30 minutes, this protein-packed salad delivers a nutritious meal with minimal prep work, making it ideal for busy professionals or health-conscious individuals seeking a delicious, balanced dinner option.

Everything You Need for Grilled Chicken Salad Perfection

• Chicken Breast: Lean protein that gets seasoned and grilled, perfect for a light and healthy salad, choose fresh and high-quality chicken for best results.

• Coriander, Oregano, Salt, Pepper: Aromatic herbs and spices that enhance chicken's flavor, use fresh ground spices for maximum taste.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds brightness to the dressing, select vibrant green leaves without wilting.

• Lettuce, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Avocado: Fresh vegetables that provide crunch, nutrition, and color to the salad, choose ripe and seasonal produce.

• Feta Cheese, Olives: Tangy cheese and briny olives that add rich flavor and Mediterranean character, select authentic Greek feta for best taste.

• Olive Oil: Primary cooking and dressing fat that carries flavor and provides smoothness, choose extra virgin olive oil for best quality.

How to Put Together a Fresh Grilled Chicken Salad

Step 1: Prepare Grilling Equipment

Fire up the grill to medium-high heat for perfect chicken cooking. Get your grilling tools ready.

Step 2: Season Chicken

• Coriander
• Oregano
• Salt
• Pepper
• Olive oil

Step 3: Grill Chicken

Place chicken on grill and cook covered. Flip halfway through cooking process. Cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F and chicken develops a slight char, approximately 18 to 22 minutes.

Step 4: Rest and Slice Chicken

Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes after grilling. Slice chicken into thin, even pieces.

Step 5: Create Zesty Dressing

• Olive oil
• Fresh parsley
• Salt
• Pepper

Step 6: Assemble Salad

• Crisp lettuce
• Sliced cucumbers
• Chopped tomatoes
• Creamy avocado
• Crumbled feta cheese
• Kalamata olives

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Top salad with sliced grilled chicken. Drizzle with prepared dressing. Serve immediately and enjoy your fresh, vibrant meal.

Grilled Chicken Salad Tips for Texture and Taste

• Maximize Marinade Magic: Let chicken sit in seasonings for 30 minutes before grilling to deeply infuse flavors and tenderize meat.
• Check Chicken Precision: Use a meat thermometer to guarantee perfectly cooked chicken without drying out the meat.
• Slice Against the Grain: Cut chicken perpendicular to muscle fibers to ensure tender, easy-to-chew pieces.
• Dress at the Last Minute: Add dressing just before serving to prevent salad ingredients from becoming soggy and wilting.
• Customize Your Greens: Swap lettuce with spinach or mixed greens for added nutrition and different flavor profiles.

How to Keep Grilled Chicken Salad Crisp and Delicious

• Refrigerate: Store leftover grilled chicken and salad separately in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Keep chicken in one container and vegetables in another to maintain crispness. Consume within 3-4 days.
• Reheating Chicken: Gently warm chicken slices in microwave at 50% power for 30-45 seconds, or reheat in skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of olive oil to prevent drying. Avoid overheating to maintain moisture.
• Salad Tip: Add fresh vegetables and dressing just before serving to prevent wilting. Discard any salad that has been sitting with dressing for more than 24 hours to ensure food safety.

Smart Pairings for Grilled Chicken Salad

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Complement the grilled chicken's smoky flavor with a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio, cutting through the richness of avocado and feta.
• Match with Mediterranean-Style Bread: Serve warm, crusty ciabatta or focaccia alongside the salad to soak up the herb-infused olive oil dressing and add textural contrast.
• Create a Refreshing Drink Companion: Prepare a homemade lemonade with fresh mint and a touch of honey to balance the salad's tangy and savory elements, providing a light and zesty accompaniment.
• Complete with Herbal Iced Tea: Brew a cool rosemary or thyme-infused iced tea that echoes the oregano and parsley in the recipe, offering a sophisticated and cooling beverage option.

Grilled Chicken Salad Versions to Mix Things Up

• Mediterranean Herb Chicken Salad: Replace coriander and oregano with za'atar spice blend, add roasted red peppers, and swap feta for crumbled goat cheese for an authentic Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest Chicken Salad: Season chicken with chili powder and cumin, include black beans and corn, drizzle with chipotle-lime dressing instead of olive oil parsley version.
• Greek-Inspired Chicken Salad: Marinate chicken in lemon juice and garlic before grilling, add kalamata olives, increase fresh herb quantity, and use Greek yogurt as an alternative dressing base.
• Asian Fusion Chicken Salad: Marinate chicken in soy sauce and ginger, replace current vegetables with mandarin oranges and edamame, create a sesame-soy dressing for a zesty Asian-inspired version.

Grilled Chicken Salad Recipe

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4.9 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Zesty grilled chicken salad brings Mediterranean flavors dancing across crisp greens. Fresh herbs, tangy feta, and juicy chicken create a light yet satisfying meal you’ll crave all summer long.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1.25 pounds / 567 grams)
• 4 ounces (113 grams) feta, crumbled

Herbs and Spices:

• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley

Salad Ingredients:

• 7 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 romaine hearts, chopped
• 3 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 avocados, sliced
• ½ cup pitted kalamata olives, halved

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Instructions

1. Prepare the grill for medium-high heat, ensuring the grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.
2. Create a robust seasoning blend by combining coriander, oregano, salt, and pepper, then generously coat the chicken with this mixture and a drizzle of olive oil.
3. Place the seasoned chicken on the preheated grill, covering with a lid to trap heat and promote even cooking.
4. Rotate the chicken midway through grilling to achieve beautiful crosshatch marks and ensure uniform cooking.
5. Monitor the internal temperature of the chicken, aiming for 165ºF at the thickest part to guarantee food safety and optimal juiciness.
6. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a resting board and allow it to sit for several minutes, which helps redistribute internal juices.
7. While the chicken rests, craft a vibrant dressing by whisking olive oil and finely chopped parsley together, seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
8. Slice the grilled chicken into elegant, uniform strips for easy serving and appealing presentation.
9. Assemble the salad by creating a colorful base of crisp lettuce, refreshing cucumbers, ripe tomatoes, creamy avocado, tangy feta, and briny olives.
10. Arrange the sliced chicken atop the vegetable medley and finish by drizzling the herb-infused dressing over the entire salad.

Notes

• Ensure chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165ºF to prevent foodborne illness and guarantee juicy, fully cooked meat.
• Allow chicken to rest after grilling, which helps redistribute juices and keeps the meat tender and flavorful.
• Use fresh herbs like parsley and coriander to elevate the salad’s taste and add vibrant, aromatic notes.
• Customize the salad by swapping ingredients or adding extra toppings like toasted nuts or grilled vegetables.
• Prepare dressing separately to control seasoning and ensure even distribution of flavors across the salad.
• Slice chicken against the grain for maximum tenderness and easier eating experience.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg