Mediterranean Chicken Salad

Fresh, nutritious, and flavorful, this Mediterranean chicken salad will become your go-to salad! It’s simple and is the perfect summer salad! (but of course, you can make it all year round.)

Mediterranean chicken salad

About This Recipe

Mediterranean chicken salad is a delightful dish that combines fresh, vibrant ingredients often associated with Mediterranean cuisine. The salad typically features tender, juicy chicken pieces, mixed with a variety of vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, etc.. It’s often seasoned with herbs like oregano, basil, and parsley, which provide a fresh, aromatic flavor profile.

The salad is typically dressed with a simple vinaigrette, often made with olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. This dressing not only enhances the flavors of the ingredients but also adds a bright, tangy note to the salad.

One of the great things about Mediterranean chicken salad is its ease of preparation. You can cook the chicken in advance, or even use leftover chicken. The vegetables can be chopped while the chicken is cooking. The salad can be served immediately, or chilled in the refrigerator for an hour to allow the flavors to meld together. It’s a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course, a side, or even packed for a picnic or lunch on the go.

By the way, for this recipe we’re going to be making one mixture that’s going to be used both as a marinade and as a dressing for the salad, making it even easier to prepare and it also means less clean up!

What You Need To Make This Recipe

Chicken: you can use chicken breast or chicken thigh fillet.

Lettuce: you can use any type of lettuce.

Tomatoes: regular or cherry tomatoes will both work, just use what you prefer.

Olive oil: you cannot leave this out, it’s one of the main ingredients in Mediterranean food.

Parsley: adds such an incredible flavor to the salad. If you don’t have parsley, you can also use fresh coriander, although it’s not traditional.

Olives: you can use any of your favorite types of olives, or leave it out completely if that’s what you prefer.

Feta cheese: this is also an optional ingredient, but I highly recommend that you add it to your salad! It adds this delicious creaminess that is indescribable!

Spices: you’ll need dried oregano, dried basil (although when I made this I had run out, so you can leave out a spice if you don’t have it), salt, and pepper, that’s it!

Garlic: there’s never enough garlic😅 so make sure you don’t leave this out!

Vinegar and lemon juice: adds a delicious tangy kick to the salad.

How To Make Mediterranean Chicken Salad

Step 1: Make the marinade/salad dressing: combine all of the ingredients for this mixture in a tall glass or small bowl.

Step 2: Pour half of the mixture on the chicken and let that marinate for 15 minutes. Refrigerate the rest of the mixture for now.

Step 3: Cook the chicken in a frying pan with some oil until golden on both sides. Once fully cooked, let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting it into small cubes.

Step 4: In a large bowl combine all of your chopped veggies, some feta cheese, and of course the chicken. Drizzle on the rest of the marinade/salad dressing mixture from earlier. Give your salad a good mix and you can dig right in!

Mediterranean Chicken Salad

Pro Tips

  • Use grilled chicken for a smoky, charred flavor. Leftover rotisserie chicken also works well.
  • Always use fresh ingredients for the salad. The flavors of ripe tomatoes, and crisp cucumbers, can’t be beat.
  • For a tangy kick, add some crumbled feta cheese or kalamata olives.
  • Add some red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a spicy twist.
  • Don’t forget to season the chicken and vegetables with salt, pepper, and herbs before combining.
  • For a heartier salad, add some quinoa or couscous.
  • Garnish with fresh herbs like basil or parsley just before serving.

FAQ’s

What is Mediterranean chicken salad? 

 It’s a salad that typically includes chicken, vegetables, and a tangy vinaigrette, inspired by Mediterranean flavors and ingredients.

What vegetables are in Mediterranean chicken salad?

Common vegetables include tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, red onions, and sometimes artichokes or olives. So you can use any of the above, you don’t have to follow the recipe to the T, add what you love!

Can I use store-bought rotisserie chicken? 

Absolutely! This is a great way to save time and still enjoy a delicious salad.

How long can I store the salad?

It’s best to consume the salad within a day or two, as the vegetables can become soggy over time.

Can I add grains to the salad?

Yes, quinoa or couscous can be added for a more filling salad.

Is Mediterranean chicken salad healthy? 

Yes, it’s a nutritious meal full of protein, vegetables, and healthy fats. However, the nutritional content can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.

Can I make Mediterranean chicken salad in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the ingredients ahead of time and assemble the salad when ready to serve.

Check out my YouTube Channel for detailed recipe tutorials! Made one of my recipes? Tag me on Instagram, I would love to see your creations!

And you love healthy recipes, you should try out my healthy apple crumble recipe, it’s the perfect guilt-free dessert!

Recipe Card

Mediterranean Chicken Salad

Fresh, nutritious, and flavorful, this Mediterranean chicken salad will become your go-to salad! It’s simple and is the perfect summer salad! (but of course, you can make it all year round.)

Prep Time: 15 min

Cook Time: 10 min

Total Time: 40 min (includes marinating time)

Course: Appetizer

Servings: 3-4

Calories: 220kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil (45ml)
  • Juice of 1 lemon (1/4 cup)
  • 2 tbsp water (45ml)
  • 1 tbsp vinegar (15ml)
  • handful of parsley, finely chopped
  • 2 -3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tsp dries basil
  • 1 tsp salt, or to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  • 1 chicken breast, sliced horizontally in half
  • 4 cups lettuce, any kind
  • 1 large cucumber, diced
  • A few cherry tomatoes, sliced in half/quarters
  • feta cheese, crumbled/cubed (as much as you want)
  • 1/4 cup olives, de-seeded and sliced (any kind)

Equipment/Utensils

  • Tall glass or small bowl
  • Medium-sized bowl
  • Large bowl
  • Frying pan
  • Spatula

Instructions

  1. In a tall glass(or small bowl) combine olive oil, lemon juice, water, vinegar, chopped parsley, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Give this a good mix, this is going to be used as both the marinade and the salad dressing!
  2. Place your chicken in a bowl and pour half of the marinade onto the chicken, refrigerate the other half for now. Let the chicken marinate for 15 minutes.
  3. In the meantime cut your vegetables and add them to a large bowl.
  4. Add 1-2 tbsp vegetable oil in a frying pan and cook the chicken on medium-high flame until golden on both sides, about 10 minutes.
  5. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a chopping board and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. Then chop it into desired pieces.
  6. Add the chopped chicken to the salad along with some feta cheese, crumbled or cubed.
  7. Give it a mix and your Mediterranean chicken salad is ready to go!

Nutrition

Calories: 220.51kcal

Total Fat: 15.02g

Carbs: 8.17g

Sugars: 2.78g

Protein: 14.56g

Sodium: 771.95mg

Fiber: 2.15g

Saturated Fats: 3.57g

** Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, cooking methods, portion sizes, and more. **

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