Grilled Chicken Salad Greens (Printable Version)
Tender grilled chicken meets crisp vegetables and zesty balsamic dressing
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken Preparation
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
→ Salad Components
07 - 6 cups mixed salad greens
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
→ Balsamic Vinaigrette
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
# How To Make:
01 - Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
02 - Combine olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Coat chicken breasts evenly with the spice mixture.
03 - Grill chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
04 - Combine salad greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, avocado, feta cheese, and almonds in a large bowl while chicken rests.
05 - Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a small jar. Shake vigorously until emulsified.
06 - Add sliced chicken to the salad bowl. Drizzle dressing over top and toss gently to coat evenly. Serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The warm smoky chicken against cold crisp vegetables creates this incredible contrast that keeps every bite interesting
- You get all the satisfaction of a hearty meal without that heavy afternoon slump
02 -
- I learned the hard way that slicing chicken against the grain makes or breaks the texture of this salad
- The dressing needs to be shaken immediately before pouring or the oil and vinegar separate
03 -
- Toast your almonds in a dry pan for 2 minutes before adding to the salad
- Let the chicken rest for the full 5 minutes so the juices redistribute