Mediterranean Chicken Salad Recipe (+ easy Greek dressing)

Looking for a delicious and easy dinner option? Try our Mediterranean Chicken Salad recipe! Packed with fresh ingredients and bursting with Mediterranean flavors, this salad is a nutritious and satisfying meal that's perfect for any occasion. Whip it up in no time for a taste of the Mediterranean tonight!

Let's talk about our go-to favorite Mediterranean Chicken Salad. It's become a staple in our household, a dish we whip up for lunch or dinner when we're craving something nutritious, satisfying, and bursting with flavor. Picture this: juicy chicken marinated in tangy Greek dressing, tossed with crisp veggies, and topped with creamy feta cheese - it's like a taste of summer on your plate!

So, what makes this salad so special? Well, besides being ridiculously tasty, it's also super versatile. You can enjoy it as a light and healthy dinner, easy lunch or pack it up for a picnic in the park. Plus, it's a breeze to put together - perfect for those busy weeknights when you need something quick and easy. Trust us, once you try this Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece, it'll become your new favorite chicken salad recipe!

Jump to:

• Why You Will Love This Salad Recipe
• Ingredients
• Easy Chicken Salad Recipe
• Variations and Substitutions
• What to Serve With This Mediterranean Chicken Salad
• Storage Instructions
• Mediterranean Chicken Salad Recipe (+ easy Greek dressing)

Why You Will Love This Salad Recipe

• Fresh and Healthy - Our Mediterranean Chicken Salad is bursting with fresh flavors and packed with nutritious ingredients, making it a guilt-free delight for your taste buds.
• Versatile - Mix and Match: With a colorful array of ingredients like lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, and bell peppers, this recipe offers endless opportunities for customization. Mix and match to your heart's content and create a salad that suits your preferences perfectly.
• Marinade Doubles Up - What's better than a delicious marinade? One that pulls double duty as a flavorful salad dressing! Our Greek-inspired marinade not only infuses the chicken with incredible flavor but also serves as the perfect dressing to tie the whole salad together.
• Meal Prep Friendly -  Streamline your meal prep routine with this recipe! You can prep all the ingredients ahead of time, when it's time to eat, simply dress and toss the salad for a fresh and satisfying meal in minutes. It's the ultimate time-saving solution for busy weekdays or weekend gatherings.

Ingredients

Greek Salad Dressing (and Chicken Marinade)

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Provides a rich base for the dressing/marinade and adds a luscious texture to the chicken.
• Fresh Lemon Juice and Red Wine Vinegar: Infuse the marinade with a bright, tangy flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds depth and complexity to the marinade, while also helping to emulsify the ingredients.
• Garlic Cloves: Introduce a bold, aromatic element to the marinade, enhancing its savory profile.
• Dried Oregano: Infuses the marinade with a distinctive Mediterranean flavor, complementing the other ingredients beautifully.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Season the marinade, balancing out the flavors and enhancing the overall taste of the chicken.

See the recipe card for quantities.

For the Baked Chicken

• Chicken Tenderloins: Serve as the protein base of the salad, providing a satisfying and nutritious element to the dish.

See the recipe card for quantities.

For The Salad

• Lettuce Mix: Forms the crisp and refreshing base of the salad, adding volume and texture to each bite.
• Cucumber and Cherry Tomatoes and Bell Pepper: Contribute juicy, vibrant freshness to the salad, adding a burst of color and flavor.
• Red Onion: Provides a subtle bite and pungent flavor, balancing out the sweetness of the other ingredients.
• Feta Cheese: Offers a creamy and tangy contrast to the crisp vegetables, adding depth and richness to the salad.
• Kalamata Olives: Bring a briny, salty kick to the salad, complementing the other flavors with their unique taste.
• Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans): Add protein and fiber to the salad, making it more satisfying and nutritious.
• Fresh Parsley and Fresh Basil: Infuse the salad with fragrant, herbaceous notes, elevating its freshness and complexity.

See the recipe card for quantities.

Easy Chicken Salad Recipe

Make the Greek Salad Dressing/ Marinade

•  Add all of the dressing ingredients into a small bowl and whisk until the dressing is emulsified.
• Reserve a ⅓ of the dressing to marinade the chicken. Set aside.
• Pour the rest of the dressing into a glass jar, refrigerate to use as the salad dressing later.

Marinate the Chicken

•  Add the chicken tenders and fresh oregano to a glass dish (or ziplock bag), pour the reserved greek salad dressing over the chicken, cover and marinade in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour. 

Chef's Tips

• Ensure the chicken tenders are fully submerged in the marinade.
• You can marinade the chicken for up to 8 hours, or freeze the raw chicken in the marinade.

Bake the Chicken

• Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Arrange the chicken tenders on the baking sheet and season with salt and pepper. (Discard the rest of the marinade.)
• Bake for 15 - 20 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 73°C (165°F).
• Remove the chicken from the oven. Allow to slightly cool, before cutting your tenders into bite sized pieces. 

Prep the Salad Ingredients

• While the chicken is in the oven, wash and prepare all the salad ingredients.

Assemble the Salad

• Layer all the salad ingredients on a large platter or mix in a large salad bowl.
• Top with chicken and drizzle with the remaining salad dressing.

Variations and Substitutions

• Speed it up: Substitute baked chicken tenders with store-bought rotisserie chicken for a quick and convenient option.
• Use a different cut of chicken: Swap chicken tenderloins for chicken breasts or boneless thighs.
• Different Protein: Experiment with other proteins like salmon, shrimp, or grilled steak for a flavorful twist.
• Make it Vegetarian Friendly: Opt for vegetarian options such as hard-boiled eggs or quinoa to replace the chicken.
• Add more Vegetables: Enhance the salad with a variety of fresh, blanched, roasted, pickled, or marinated vegetables such as blanched green beans, roasted Mediterranean vegetables, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, pickled red onions, etc.
• Try a different dressing: Explore alternative dressings like pesto, balsamic vinaigrette, or creamy Greek yogurt dressing for a unique flavor profile.
• Different cheese: Switch up the cheese selection with options like fresh mozzarella, goat cheese, or blue cheese for added variety.
• Swap Chickpeas for Cannellini Beans: Substitute chickpeas with cannellini beans for a different texture and flavor.
• Add croutons: Elevate the salad with homemade croutons for added crunch and flavor.
• Add toasted seeds and nuts: Sprinkle toasted seeds and nuts over the salad for extra texture and nuttiness.

What to Serve With This Mediterranean Chicken Salad

This Mediterranean Salad is a complete meal in itself, perfect for lunch or dinner.

To complement the salad, consider serving it with fresh bread options like baguette, homemade bread, or cheesy ciabatta. Alternatively, pair the salad with pita bread or pita chips for a satisfying and convenient meal.

Storage Instructions

Leftover Chicken Salad 

• Store assembled, undressed salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
•  Assembled salad with dressing can be stored for 1 day in an airtight container in the fridge.

Make Ahead Instructions

Fresh Veggies - Meal prep the salad by washing and prepping all salad ingredients, storing them in separate airtight containers lined with paper towels in the fridge for 1-2 days. 

Greek marinade - The marinade/salad dressing can be made 5-7 days ahead of time

Chicken

• Raw chicken can be marinated up to 8 hours ahead of time and stored in the fridge, or raw chicken can be frozen with marinade for up to 3 months. 
• Cooked chicken can be properly cooled to room temperature and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

In conclusion, our Mediterranean Chicken Salad is more than just a meal - it's a celebration of fresh ingredients, vibrant flavors, and wholesome goodness. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting your culinary journey, this salad is sure to become a favorite in your repertoire.

So why not gather your ingredients, whip up a batch, and treat yourself to a taste of the Mediterranean tonight? Trust us, your taste buds will thank you! (Ps: This healthy chicken salad recipe is also perfect for work lunches!)

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The nutrition is an estimate only. It was calculated using Nutrifox, an online nutrition calculator.