How to Make a Delicious Grilled Chicken Salad

Chicken salad is a classic summertime favorite. A light meal that tastes great is grilled chicken with fresh vegetables and a tangy dressing. Grilled chicken salad is easy to make and endlessly customizable. To make a tasty grilled chicken salad at home, just follow these easy steps.

Ingredients

The ingredients for grilled chicken salad are flexible, but here is a list of basics to get you started:

• grilled chicken breast or thighs—grilling adds a delicious smoky flavor, and chicken thigh meat has more fat than breast meat, so it stays more juicy while cooking.

• Lettuce – Romaine, mixed greens, spinach or kale work well.

• Vegetables – Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, avocado, etc. Get creative!

• Cheese – Feta, cheddar, parmesan, goat. Grated or crumbled over the top.

• Crunchy toppings – Nuts, seeds, crispy onions or wontons, croutons. Add texture.

• Dressing – Vinaigrette, ranch, Caesar, etc. Drizzled over the salad.

• Fresh herbs – Basil, cilantro, parsley, dill, mint Chopped on top

How to Grill the Chicken

Grilling chicken lends smoky, charred flavor that pairs perfectly with the fresh salad ingredients.

• Pound chicken breasts to an even 1/2-inch thickness so they cook evenly. Leave thighs whole.

• Coat with oil, seasoning salt, pepper, herbs. Grill 4-6 minutes per side over direct heat until cooked through.

• Let rest 5 minutes before slicing/shredding. Keep warm.

You can also use leftover roasted, baked or poached chicken Rotisserie chicken works great too

How to Assemble the Salad

• Begin by putting chopped lettuce in a large bowl. Romaine and spinach are classic choices.

• Add chopped or sliced vegetables. tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, red onion, etc.

• Include fresh herbs – basil, cilantro, dill, parsley, mint, etc.

• Add protein on top – sliced grilled chicken, chickpeas, nuts or seeds like slivered almonds.

• Top with cheese if desired – feta, cheddar, goat, parmesan.

• Drizzle dressing over salad – vinaigrette, ranch, Caesar, etc. Toss to coat.

• Finish with crunchy toppings – croutons, crispy onions, sunflower seeds.

• Enjoy your fresh and delicious grilled chicken salad!

Grilled Chicken Salad Dressing Ideas

Dressing is key to bringing all the ingredients together. Here are some tasty dressing options:

• Balsamic Vinaigrette – Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon, garlic, salt, pepper.

• Ranch – Mix ranch seasoning with mayo, buttermilk, sour cream. Creamy and tangy.

• Caesar – Blend olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon, parmesan.

• Honey Mustard – Whisk olive oil, mustard, honey, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Sweet and tangy.

• Greek – Mix olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, oregano, garlic.

• Green Goddess – Blend mayo, sour cream, parsley, tarragon, chives, lemon juice. Herby and creamy.

Grilled Chicken Salad Recipe Variations

There are endless tasty ways to modify this basic grilled chicken salad recipe:

• Southwest – Use spicy ranch dressing. Add black beans, corn, avocado, tortilla strips, cilantro.

• Asian – Try ginger dressing. Add edamame, mandarin oranges, wontons, sesame seeds, cilantro.

• Greek – Use Greek dressing. Include feta, olives, cucumber, red onion, tomato, mint.

• BBQ Chicken – Toss grilled chicken in bbq sauce. Add corn, bacon, cheddar, croutons, ranch dressing.

• Caesar – Use Caesar dressing. Include parmesan, croutons.

• Cobb – Top with bacon, avocado, egg, tomato, blue cheese, chicken, ranch dressing.

Tips for Making the Best Grilled Chicken Salad

Follow these tips for fresh flavor and texture:

• Grill chicken just before assembling the salad for the best flavor.

• Cut the lettuce and delicate herbs like basil right before serving to prevent wilting.

• Chop the chicken and vegetables into similar sized pieces for an even mix of ingredients in each bite.

• Toast nuts, seeds or croutons to add crunch.

• Rotate items that go on top around the bowl so each forkful gets some of the tasty toppings.

• Drizzle dressing over the top just before eating and toss to evenly coat.

• Chill salad ingredients and dressing beforehand for maximum freshness on hot days.

With flavorful grilled chicken and your choice of fresh vegetables and toppings, you can create an easy, healthy and completely customizable salad perfect for summer. Experiment with different add-ins to discover new favorite grilled chicken salad recipes!