The Best Grilled Chicken Salad Recipe For An Easy Summer Meal

We’ve all been there—standing in front of the fridge, wanting something light but filling, healthy but not boring. The search for the perfect easy summer meal can feel endless, especially on a busy weeknight when you’re craving something that’s both satisfying and quick to prepare. You want fresh, vibrant flavors without spending hours in the kitchen.

You cycle through the same old options, but nothing feels quite right. You need a meal that’s packed with lean protein, loaded with crisp vegetables, and bursting with flavor. You’re looking for a recipe you can rely on, one that delivers delicious results every single time and doesn’t leave you feeling hungry 30 minutes later.

After years of testing, I’ve perfected the formula for a no-fail grilled chicken salad that hits the spot every single time. The ultimate grilled chicken salad combines juicy, marinated chicken with crisp greens, fresh vegetables, and a zesty homemade vinaigrette. It’s a versatile, protein-packed meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a healthy lunch, and it’s completely customizable with your favorite toppings. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from the perfect marinade to creative variations, ensuring you never have a boring salad again.

Craving a Summer Meal That’s Healthy, Hearty, and Ready in Minutes?

We’ve all been there—standing in front of the fridge, wanting something light but filling. After years of testing, I’ve perfected the formula for a no-fail grilled chicken salad that hits the spot every single time. The search for a meal that is both satisfying and healthy can feel like a challenge, but this grilled chicken salad is the perfect solution. It’s a comprehensive guide that covers everything from the perfect marinade to creative variations, ensuring you never have a boring salad again. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a blueprint for your new favorite go-to meal.

Why This is The Best Grilled Chicken Salad Recipe

This recipe stands out because it focuses on perfecting each individual component to create a truly exceptional final dish. From the chicken to the dressing, every element is designed for maximum flavor and texture, resulting in a salad that’s far from ordinary.

• The Juiciest Grilled Chicken: Our simple lemon herb marinade does more than just add flavor. The acid in the lemon juice helps to tenderize the chicken, breaking down the muscle fibers and locking in moisture for an incredibly juicy result every time you fire up the grill.
• A Symphony of Textures: A great salad is all about contrast. We go beyond simple lettuce and tomato, combining crisp romaine, creamy avocado, crunchy cucumbers, and sharp red onion for a salad that’s exciting in every bite.
• 5-Minute Lemon Herb Vinaigrette: Forget the bottled stuff. This homemade dressing is incredibly simple to make—just shake the ingredients in a jar—and its fresh, zesty flavor is leagues better than anything you can buy. It’s the perfect finishing touch.
• Meal-Prep Friendly: We’ll show you how to prepare the components ahead of time. By storing the grilled chicken, chopped veggies, and dressing separately, you can assemble a fresh, delicious salad in minutes for easy and healthy meals all week long.

The Ultimate Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Salad Recipe (Updated for 2025)

This is the foundational recipe, a Mediterranean-inspired classic that’s perfect on its own but also serves as a brilliant canvas for the exciting variations that follow. The key is in the marinade, which infuses boneless, skinless chicken breasts with the bright flavors of lemon, garlic, and oregano. When combined with classic salad ingredients like cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and tangy feta cheese, it creates a perfectly balanced and incredibly satisfying meal. Remember, for food safety and the best texture, always cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F.

1. Your Step-by-Step Guide to the Perfect Grilled Chicken Salad

To make this perfect grilled chicken salad, you’ll first marinate the chicken, then grill it to perfection, whisk together a simple vinaigrette while it rests, and finally, assemble all the fresh components into a beautiful and delicious meal.

Ingredients:

• For the Lemon Herb Marinade & Chicken:
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb total)
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
• For the Salad:
  • 5 oz romaine lettuce or spring mix, chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup English cucumber, sliced
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives (optional)
  • 1 ripe avocado, sliced
• For the Lemon Vinaigrette:
  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl or a large zip-top bag, whisk together all the marinade ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken breasts and toss to ensure they are fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
2. Grill the Chicken: Preheat your indoor or outdoor grill to medium-high heat (around 400-450°F). Lightly oil the grates. Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Grill the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, or until it’s cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F on a meat thermometer.
3. Rest and Slice: This step is crucial! Transfer the grilled chicken to a clean cutting board and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the chicken stays moist and tender. Once rested, slice the chicken against the grain into strips.
4. Make the Vinaigrette: While the chicken is resting, prepare the dressing. In a small bowl or a mason jar with a lid, combine all the vinaigrette ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and Dijon mustard. Whisk or shake vigorously until the dressing is well-combined and emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to your liking.
5. Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, crumbled feta, and Kalamata olives (if using). Arrange the sliced grilled chicken and sliced avocado over the top. Drizzle with your homemade vinaigrette just before serving and toss gently.

Pro-Tip: For an even deeper flavor, let the chicken marinate for the full 4 hours. If you find raw red onion too sharp, soak the slices in a bowl of cold water for 10 minutes before adding them to the salad. This simple trick mellows their bite significantly.

Pin this recipe for your next healthy summer dinner!

5 Delicious Ways to Customize Your Grilled Chicken Salad

The best part about the classic grilled chicken salad is that it’s a perfect base for creativity. You can easily “remix” the recipe to suit your cravings or use up ingredients you have on hand. These five tried-and-true variations are some of our absolute favorites, each offering a unique balance of flavors and textures that will keep your lunch and dinner routine exciting.

5 Grilled Chicken Salad Variations: 1. Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad, 2. Summer Berry Chicken Salad, 3. BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad, 4. Italian Grilled Chicken Salad, 5. Spicy Mango-Avocado Chicken Salad.

1. The Classic Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad

To make a Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad, arrange rows of classic ingredients like crispy bacon, hard-boiled egg, avocado, and blue cheese over a bed of romaine. This iconic salad is famous for its satisfying combination of rich and fresh flavors.

Key Ingredients:

• Grilled Chicken (from main recipe), diced
• Romaine Lettuce, chopped
• 4 slices Crispy Bacon, crumbled
• 2 Hard-Boiled Eggs, sliced or quartered
• 1 Avocado, diced
• 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup Crumbled Blue Cheese
• Dressing: Creamy Ranch or a simple Honey Dijon Vinaigrette.

Pro-Tip: For perfectly easy-to-peel hard-boiled eggs, don’t boil them—steam them! Place eggs in a steamer basket over an inch of boiling water, cover, and steam for 12 minutes. Immediately transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. The shells will slip right off.

Save this classic Cobb Salad idea to your ‘Weeknight Dinners’ board!

2. Summer Berry & Grilled Chicken Salad

Create a vibrant Summer Berry & Grilled Chicken Salad by tossing grilled chicken with fresh greens, juicy berries, toasted nuts, and creamy goat cheese. This salad is a beautiful and refreshing celebration of summer’s best produce.

Key Ingredients:

• Grilled Chicken, sliced
• 5 oz Spring Greens or Baby Spinach
• 1 cup Fresh Strawberries, sliced
• 1/2 cup Fresh Blueberries
• 1/4 cup Toasted Sliced Almonds or Pecans
• 1/4 cup Crumbled Goat Cheese or Feta
• Dressing: A light Berry Poppyseed Vinaigrette or a simple Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Lesson Learned: While spring mix is lovely, using a blend of baby spinach and arugula provides a fantastic flavor contrast. The tender spinach is mild, while the arugula adds a peppery bite that perfectly balances the sweetness of the berries and the richness of the goat cheese.

Pin this beautiful berry salad for your next lunch!

3. BBQ Ranch Grilled Chicken Salad

For a hearty BBQ Ranch Grilled Chicken Salad, combine smoky BBQ chicken with classic Southwestern ingredients like corn, black beans, cheddar cheese, and crispy tortilla strips. A final drizzle of ranch dressing brings all the flavors together.

Key Ingredients:

• Grilled Chicken (brushed with your favorite BBQ sauce during the last few minutes of grilling)
• Romaine Lettuce, chopped
• 1 cup Grilled Corn Kernels
• 1 cup Black Beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup Crispy Tortilla Strips
• Dressing: Creamy Ranch Dressing, with an extra drizzle of BBQ sauce over the top.

Pro-Tip: For the best flavor, grill a whole cob of corn alongside your chicken until it’s lightly charred. Let it cool slightly, then stand it on its end in a bowl and use a sharp knife to slice the kernels off. The char from the grill adds an incredible smoky depth that canned or boiled corn just can’t match.

Love BBQ? You have to save this salad recipe!

4. Italian Grilled Chicken Salad

To assemble an Italian Grilled Chicken Salad, top a bed of greens with Italian-seasoned chicken, fresh mozzarella pearls, roasted red peppers, and garlic croutons. This salad is packed with the beloved flavors of the Mediterranean.

Key Ingredients:

• Grilled Chicken (add 1 tsp Italian seasoning to the main marinade)
• Romaine Lettuce & Arugula mix
• 1 cup Fresh Mozzarella Pearls (or diced fresh mozzarella)
• 1/2 cup Jarred Roasted Red Peppers, sliced
• 1/2 cup Kalamata Olives
• 1 cup Garlic Croutons
• A handful of Fresh Basil Leaves
• Dressing: A Zesty Italian Vinaigrette.

Lesson Learned: Don’t be shy with the fresh basil! Tearing the leaves with your hands instead of chopping them with a knife is a simple trick that releases more of their fragrant essential oils and prevents the delicate leaves from bruising and turning dark.

Save this taste of Italy for your next dinner party!

5. Spicy Mango & Avocado Chicken Salad

This spicy and tropical salad is made by combining chili-lime seasoned grilled chicken with sweet diced mango, creamy avocado, and a kick of fresh jalapeño. It’s a flavor explosion that is both refreshing and exciting.

Key Ingredients:

• Grilled Chicken (seasoned generously with chili-lime powder before grilling)
• Mixed Greens
• 1 large Ripe Mango, diced
• 1 ripe Avocado, diced
• 1 Red Bell Pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 Fresh Jalapeño, thinly sliced (remove seeds for less heat)
• A handful of Fresh Cilantro
• Dressing: A simple Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette (lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, salt).

Pro-Tip: To check if a mango is ripe, trust your sense of touch more than your eyes. Give it a gentle squeeze; it should have a slight give, similar to a ripe peach or avocado. The color is not always the best indicator of ripeness, as it varies widely by mango variety.

Feeling adventurous? Pin this spicy-sweet salad recipe!

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to grilled chicken salad recipes

Making an incredible grilled chicken salad is easy when you master a few core principles. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll get perfect results every time.

• Marinate for Flavor & Moisture: Never skip the marinade. Even just 30 minutes in a simple mixture of oil, acid (like lemon juice or vinegar), and seasonings will make a world of difference in the flavor and tenderness of your chicken.
• Don’t Overcook the Chicken: The number one enemy of good grilled chicken is overcooking. Use a meat thermometer and pull the chicken off the grill the moment it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to avoid dry, tough meat.
• Rest Your Meat: This is non-negotiable. Always let your grilled chicken rest on a cutting board for 5-10 minutes before slicing into it. This simple act of patience allows the juices to settle back into the meat, keeping it incredibly juicy.
• Keep Components Separate for Meal Prep: To prevent a soggy salad, store the dressing, chicken, and salad greens in separate airtight containers in the fridge. Assemble everything just before you’re ready to eat to maintain maximum freshness and crunch.
• Homemade Dressing is Best: A simple vinaigrette takes less than five minutes to whisk or shake together. It’s healthier, more flavorful, and often more affordable than most store-bought options.

People Also Ask About grilled chicken salad recipes

What’s a good marinade for grilled chicken for a salad?

A great marinade for grilled chicken salad balances fat, acid, and flavor. A classic combination is extra-virgin olive oil (fat), fresh lemon juice or red wine vinegar (acid), minced garlic, dried herbs like oregano or thyme, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk these ingredients together and marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to tenderize the meat and infuse it with delicious flavor before grilling.

How do you keep grilled chicken from getting dry?

To prevent dry grilled chicken, follow three key steps: marinate, use a thermometer, and rest the meat. First, always marinate the chicken to add moisture and flavor. Second, use a meat thermometer and cook it only until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Third, and most importantly, let the chicken rest on a cutting board for 5-10 minutes after grilling. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a tender, juicy result.

Are grilled chicken salads healthy?

Yes, grilled chicken salads are generally a very healthy meal choice. They provide a fantastic source of lean protein from the chicken, essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber from the fresh vegetables, and healthy fats from ingredients like avocado and olive oil-based dressings. To maximize the health benefits, opt for a light vinaigrette dressing instead of creamy, high-calorie options, and be mindful of portion sizes for toppings like cheese, bacon, and croutons.

What can I put in a chicken salad besides lettuce?

You can build a delicious chicken salad on many different bases besides just lettuce. For a nutrient boost, try using a bed of baby spinach or peppery arugula. For a heartier salad that’s a complete meal, use cooked and cooled grains like quinoa or farro as your base. You can also use spiralized vegetables like zucchini (“zoodles”) or a crunchy shredded cabbage and broccoli slaw for fantastic texture and extra veggies.

Final Thoughts

Now you have the blueprint for the perfect grilled chicken salad!