Description

A bright, protein-packed grilled chicken salad that uses simple, budget-friendly ingredients. It’s perfect for hot summer days as it doesn’t heat up the kitchen, and it holds up well for meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 heads romaine lettuce
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
1 medium cucumber, diced
1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional: 1 avocado, sliced; 1/2 cup croutons; 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped; 1 can chickpeas, drained

Instructions

Pat chicken thighs dry and season generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Drizzle with a teaspoon of olive oil.
Preheat grill to medium-high heat (400°F / 200°C). Grill chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Remove chicken from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before chopping into bite-sized pieces.
While chicken rests, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
Wash and dry lettuce, tearing or chopping into bite-sized pieces. Halve tomatoes, dice cucumber, and slice red onion.
In a large mixing bowl, combine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, corn, and chopped chicken.
Sprinkle crumbled feta on top and drizzle with about half the dressing. Toss gently to coat.
Add more dressing if desired, taste and adjust seasoning, then serve immediately with optional toppings like croutons or avocado.

Notes

Let the chicken rest after grilling to retain juices. Dry greens thoroughly to prevent watery dressing. Store dressing separately for meal prep to keep greens crisp. Do not freeze this salad as the lettuce and cucumber will become mushy.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 320
Sugar: 5
Sodium: 450
Fat: 18
Saturated Fat: 5
Carbohydrates: 12
Fiber: 3
Protein: 25

Keywords: grilled chicken salad, labor day dinner, budget friendly meals, healthy summer recipes, meal prep salad, family dinner ideas