Grilled Chicken Salad (Printable)
Juicy grilled chicken over crisp mixed greens with fresh vegetables and tangy balsamic vinaigrette.
# What goes in:
→ For the Chicken
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon paprika
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ For the Salad
07 - 6 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, or romaine)
08 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
09 - 1 cucumber, sliced
10 - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
11 - 1 avocado, sliced
12 - 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
13 - 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
→ For the Dressing
14 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
15 - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
16 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
17 - 1 teaspoon honey
18 - Salt and pepper, to taste
# Directions:
01 - Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
02 - In a small bowl, mix olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Coat chicken breasts evenly with the mixture.
03 - Grill the chicken for 6–7 minutes per side or until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - While chicken rests, combine salad greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, avocado, feta cheese, and almonds in a large bowl.
05 - In a small jar, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Shake well to emulsify.
06 - Add the sliced chicken to the salad. Drizzle dressing over the top and toss gently to coat. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The contrast between warm, spiced chicken and cool, crisp vegetables makes every bite interesting
- Everything comes together in under 40 minutes, but it tastes like something from a restaurant
02 -
- Letting the chicken rest for 5 minutes is not optional, the juices redistribute and keep every slice moist instead of running onto your cutting board
- The salad greens will wilt if you dress them too early, add the vinaigrette right before you plan to eat
03 -
- Pound the chicken breasts to even thickness before seasoning so they cook uniformly and stay juicy throughout
- Taste and adjust your dressing before adding it to the salad, everyone has different preferences for sweetness and acidity