Fresh Grilled Chicken Salad

Fresh, colorful, and packed with protein, this Grilled Chicken Salad is an easy American classic that makes a delicious and satisfying meal. Juicy seasoned chicken is grilled until tender, then sliced and served over crisp lettuce with fresh vegetables and a simple homemade dressing.

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

For the Salad

• 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• ½ red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• ½ cup shredded carrots
• ½ cup corn, drained
• ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional

For the Dressing

• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board and gently pound them to an even thickness.
2. Rub the chicken with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
3. Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for about 5–7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
4. Remove the chicken from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
5. Meanwhile, add the romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, bell pepper, carrots, and corn to a large salad bowl.
6. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
7. Slice the grilled chicken into strips and arrange it over the fresh vegetables.
8. Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving and gently toss everything together.
9. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese if desired and serve immediately.

Tips

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken for 30 minutes before grilling. You can also prepare the vegetables and dressing ahead of time and assemble the salad just before serving.

This salad is delicious on its own or served with warm bread, a light soup, or your favorite side dish.