Print

Fresh Loaded Spring Chopped Salad with Grilled Chicken

fresh loaded spring chopped salad with grilled chicken - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy salad featuring smoky grilled chicken and fresh spring vegetables, perfect for a healthy and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 12 oz / 340 g)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 4 cups romaine lettuce, finely chopped (or mixed greens)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup radishes, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped (optional)
  • 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • 1/4 cup toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Rub with olive oil, then sprinkle smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper evenly on both sides. Let sit for about 10 minutes.
  2. Finely chop romaine or mixed greens. Dice cucumber, halve cherry tomatoes, thinly slice radishes and red onion, and shred carrots. Combine all in a large bowl.
  3. Toast sunflower or pumpkin seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and slightly golden. Stir frequently and set aside to cool.
  4. Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl or mason jar until emulsified.
  5. Heat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Remove and let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thin strips against the grain.
  6. Pour dressing over chopped veggies and toss gently to coat. Add crumbled feta and toasted seeds, reserving a few seeds for garnish. Arrange sliced grilled chicken on top.
  7. Sprinkle reserved seeds and extra black pepper on top. Serve immediately.

Notes

Let the chicken rest after seasoning and after grilling to keep it juicy. Chop veggies uniformly for even dressing coverage. Toast seeds carefully to avoid burning. Keep dressing separate if prepping ahead to avoid soggy greens.

Nutrition

Keywords: spring salad, grilled chicken salad, healthy salad, quick salad, easy dinner, fresh vegetables, light meal

Find it online: https://lucydishes.com/fresh-loaded-spring-chopped-salad-with-grilled-chicken-easy-recipe-for-healthy-meals/