This Italian Grilled Chicken Salad is made with juicy grilled chicken, crunchy lettuce and a creamy homemade Italian dressing. It’s light, nutritious and perfect for a fresh summer lunch or dinner!
While I love my fair share of Italian desserts, I balance them out by eating my fair share of salads! It’s all about balance, so this Italian grilled chicken salad for lunch and then a taste of Nutella ice cream later.
I love this Grilled Chicken Salad Recipe with Homemade Italian Dressing! It is perfect for the arrival of the beautiful summer season, as it does not require an oven but only the grill. The dressing is creamy, tasty and pairs very well with the crunchy vegetables.
It’s delicious and healthy in every bite! If you love salad recipes, some others I serve often include this fresh Italian pasta salad, this Mediterranean rice bowl, and this famous Borlotti bean salad.
Because you will love this recipe
- Perfect salad for the summer: When temperatures are warm, this salad is the perfect option for an easy lunch or dinner! It doesn’t require an oven and is very simple to prepare!
- Versatile: Swap the chicken for a different protein, add more veggies, add beans, use a different dressing, the options are endless when it comes to creating the best non-boring salads.
- Meal preparation: This Italian Chicken Salad recipe is a great meal prep salad idea! If you like the idea of making better lunch choices, this salad is the perfect way to do it.
Ingredients for Italian Chicken Salad
- Chicken: You will need four boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs.
- Olive oil: This helps the seasonings stick to the chicken and prevents them from sticking to the grill.
- Seasonings: Oregano, chopped fresh rosemary, salt and pepper.
- Creamy Italian dressing: Mayonnaise, milk, balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, sugar, garlic, salt and pepper.
- Salad: Mixed lettuce, avocado and cherry or cherry tomatoes add the perfect fresh ingredients to complement the salad.
Substitutions and variations
- Other vegetables: Cucumbers, red onion, peppers, sun-dried tomatoes or radishes would all be good choices!
- Beans: A handful of chickpeas or cannellini beans would be delicious, I love legumes in my white bean salad.
- Cheese: Parmesan, provolone, or marinated mozzarella balls would add so much flavor!
- Fresh herbs: Fresh parsley or fresh basil would add a touch of fresh, herbaceous flavor.
- Olives: Black olives or Kalamata olives would add savory flavor.
- Proteins: Add salami in addition to the chicken, or try salmon or tuna instead.
- Lemon juice: Add a squeeze of lemon juice to the chicken before serving for a pop of fresh flavor.
How to Make Italian Grilled Chicken Salad
To start, make the grilled chicken recipe. On a hot grill (or grill pan) over medium heat place the chicken pieces and brush with olive oil, then sprinkle with oregano, chopped rosemary, salt and pepper, turn and repeat, cooking until no longer pink.
Mix all the ingredients for the creamy Italian dressing in a jar and shake well to combine. Alternatively, use a blender to combine.
In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, avocado and cherry tomatoes.
When you’re ready to serve this delicious Italian Chicken Salad, add a portion of the lettuce bowl to a plate. Add a slice of cooked grilled chicken and divide the dressing mixture to garnish the salad.
Tips for perfect grilled chicken
- Marinate the chicken: For more flavorful chicken, marinate it in olive oil and herbs for a few hours before grilling. You could also use some of the dressing for an Italian marinade.
- Uniform thickness: If using larger chicken breasts, pound or butterfly them until they are ½ inch thick.
- Cooking chicken: Chicken is done when an instant-read thermometer reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the juices run clear.
- For succulent chicken: Let the chicken rest covered for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute back into the meat.
Recipe FAQs
While salad always tastes better when fresh, you can make the dressing and salad separately and store them in separate containers. Once dressed, it is best to consume this salad within 24 hours.
The best thing about salad is its versatility! Use a different protein, add more veggies, add some beans, use a variety of different salads. This salad can be prepared differently every time and with excellent results!
Safe! If you prefer a less creamy dressing, use an Italian vinaigrette. You can also just use a balsamic glaze or make it simple with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. With this grilled chicken salad the choices are truly endless!
Yes, the dressing can double as a marinade for chicken to add more flavor; marinate for at least 30 minutes before grilling.
How to store leftover grilled chicken salad?
Store leftover grilled chicken in an airtight container for up to four days. Undressed salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Salad dressing can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5-7 days.
Other lunch or dinner recipes to try
I hope you enjoy this Italian Grilled Chicken Salad as much as we do. Enjoy your meal!
GRILLED CHICKEN
- 4 pieces boneless chicken
- 2 spoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Origan
- 2 twigs chopped rosemary
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1-2 dashes black pepper or to taste
CREAMY ITALIAN DRESSING
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 spoons balsamic vinegar
- ¾ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon sugar
- 1 Clove crushed garlic
- 1-2 pinch salt or to taste
- 1-2 dashes black pepper or to taste
GREEN SALAD
- 2 cups mixed vegetables of your choice
- 1 sliced avocado
- 10 cherry tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
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GRILLED CHICKEN
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On a hot grill (BBQ, Grill or Pan Grill) place the chicken pieces, brush with olive oil and sprinkle with oregano, chopped rosemary, salt and pepper, turn and repeat, cook until no longer pink.
MIXED GREEN SALAD
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In a large bowl combine the ingredients.
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On a plate, add a slice of grilled chicken, lettuce and garnish with a creamy Italian dressing. Enjoy!
Chicken thighs can be used as a juicier alternative to breast meat; adjust cooking times accordingly as the thighs may cook a little longer.
Store leftover grilled chicken in an airtight container for up to four days. Undressed salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Salad dressing can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5-7 days.
Calories: 363kcal | Carbohydrates: 9G | Protein: 2G | Fat: 36G | Saturated fats: 5G | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 195mg | Potassium: 365mg | Fiber: 4G | Sugar: 4G | Vitamin A: 325UI | C vitamin: 14.9mg | Soccer: 42mg | Iron: 1mg
Updated as of May 1, 2017.
