Grilled Chicken Greek Salad ~ if you love a great main course salad then try this healthy 30 minute meal made with lean grilled chicken breast! It’s a light, low carb, but totally satisfying dinner idea.
grilled chicken Greek salad is a light and healthy summer meal
Everybody’s had a grilled chicken salad before, but when you tweak it just a little to give it an authentic Greek spin, you get something really special. I step up my chicken breasts game with a mint and lemon rub, along with minced garlic and oregano. The classic olive oil and lemon dressing gets a boost from a traditional Greek herb mix.
tips for grilling juicy chicken breasts
- The key to getting a tender moist grilled chicken breast is to grill it briefly in a grill pan to get those pretty and flavorful char marks, but then to transfer the chicken to a cooler part of the grill, or into a moderate oven to finish the cooking gently. And definitely don’t overcook it, the meat is done when it registers 165F on a thermometer, and that only takes about 10 minutes in the oven.
- Buy thin sliced chicken breasts (chicken cutlets) or slice them in half yourself so they are not too thick. (You can also pound them thinner) Thinner breasts will cook quickly and evenly and won’t have a chance to get rubbery.
I used skinless boneless breasts, which are lean and healthy, but the herb rub gives the chicken the appearance of a crisp skin without the extra saturated fat ~ it’s a win win.
I let the chicken cool briefly and then slice them on the bias for perfectly tender juicy chicken. Allow 1/2 ~ 1 breast per serving, depending on how hearty you want your salad.
where to find specialty spices
Large grocery and gourmet stores carry many herbs, but for more specialized herbs, spices, and blends, it helps to shop online. Sites like Penzy’s, The Spice House, and others have wide selections and are great sources for unusual varieties.
My Greek inspired spices include:
When you use dried spices, crush them between your fingers to revive the essential oils as you add them to your recipes.
- mint & lemon rub
- Greek herb blend with mint, oregano, marjoram, and thyme
- minced garlic
- mint powder
- oregano
With the right spices in your pantry you can recreate all sorts of Mediterranean recipes. Greek inspired dishes have become some of my favorites, like Greek Meatballs in Lemon Sauce, and Greek Style Stuffed Artichokes.
Reader Rave ~
“This salad is so rich and nutrient-dense, Sue! Preparing and consuming healthy food is so easy with your recipes!” ~ Agness
Grilled Greek Chicken Salad
Ingredients
chicken
- 2 thin skinless boneless chicken breasts
- mint & lemon rub
- dried oregano
- dried minced garlic
- salt and fresh cracked black pepper
salad
- a small head of romaine lettuce, washed, dried, and chopped
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 small Persian cucumbers, sliced
- 2 cups chopped tomatoes
- 1 cup kalamata olives
- 1 cup crumbled or cubed feta cheese
dressing
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- juice of 1 1/2 to 2 lemons, add more or less to taste
- 1/2 tsp Greek herb blend
- pinch of salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Set oven to 350F
- Heat a grill pan over medium high heat. Brush chicken breasts lightly with olive oil and rub both sides with a light coating of the mint & lemon Rub, minced garlic, and oregano. Add a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Grill the chicken for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until you get nice grill marks. Transfer the chicken to a baking sheet and bake for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and registers 165F in the center. Set aside.
- Put the lettuce in a large salad bowl.
- Put the onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and cheese in a separate bowl. Toss with enough of the dressing to moisten. Add this mixture to the salad bowl with the lettuce. Add the grilled chicken and drizzle with more dressing just before serving.
dressing
- Whisk everything together and taste to adjust any of the ingredients.
Really gorgeous salad! I could eat this all summer long!!
Me too Deborah ~ thanks for stopping by!!
That is one beautiful salad that you have there. I love the combo of bright and sunny flavors with all those beautiful veggies and then the grilled chicken. Perfect for this time of year.
I’m so intrigued by this spice box! This Greek salad looks amazing and I am a sucker for the ones you get at that coffee place with the “you pick 2.” Can’t wait to make this at home.
I need this salad in my life, especially during this current heat wave. I bet it would be a fantastic lunch, too!
Not sure if your heat wave is my heat wave, but I agree, it stinks! Thanks for visiting Rae 🙂
That chicken looks amazing! This salad is perfect for spring.
I’m not a huge fan of plain chicken breasts, Brandi, but the spice rub really made a difference, these have so much flavor.
I love a Greek salad. The colors are so pretty and vibrant, just lovely.
Imagine my total surprise to see they are based out of here!?
Yes! Thank goodness for NAFTA 🙂
Forgot to say I am smitten w/ the test tube spices..?Totally,and have never in my life seen mint powder..etc
Totally toyable for us these test tubes.
The tubes are really lovely and very tactile ~ and I’m glad you mentioned the mint, I’d never seen that either and I love it!
I’m gonna make this:)
This grilled chicken greek salad looks delicious. A perfect healthy salad. Yum Yum.