Mediterranean Greek Salad with Chicken (Printer-Friendly)
Protein-packed salad with grilled chicken, fresh vegetables, kalamata olives, feta, and zesty lemon-oregano dressing. Light and satisfying.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 14 oz)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
07 - Juice of 1/2 lemon
→ Salad
08 - 1 large English cucumber, chopped
09 - 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
10 - 1 red bell pepper, chopped
11 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
12 - 1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
13 - 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
14 - 4 cups mixed salad greens (romaine, arugula, baby spinach)
→ Dressing
15 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
17 - 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
18 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
19 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
20 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
21 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
02 - In a small bowl, combine olive oil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Thoroughly coat chicken breasts with marinade mixture.
03 - Grill chicken breasts for 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear, reaching internal temperature of 165°F. Allow to rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, oregano, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
05 - In a large salad bowl, combine cucumber, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, kalamata olives, and mixed salad greens.
06 - Drizzle prepared vinaigrette over vegetables and toss lightly to combine.
07 - Top salad with sliced grilled chicken and sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese. Serve immediately with optional lemon wedges.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The bright lemon-oregano dressing actually tastes better when made ahead, making this your secret weapon for stress-free entertaining.
- Every bite offers a different combination of flavors and textures, from the juicy grilled chicken to the crisp vegetables to the salty feta crumbles.
02 -
- Slicing the chicken against the grain after resting makes each bite perfectly tender rather than stringy or tough.
- Adding the feta at the very last moment prevents it from breaking down and becoming lost in the dressing.
03 -
- Soak your sliced red onions in ice water for ten minutes before adding them to the salad to maintain their crunch while removing that harsh bite that can overwhelm other flavors.
- Warm your lemons in the microwave for 15 seconds before juicing to extract nearly twice the amount of juice with the same effort.