Grilled Chicken Salad

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4

5 Main Ingredients

• 1½ lbs chicken breast or chicken thighs

• 8 cups salad greens of your choice

• ½ cup cheese of your choice

• ½ cup good-quality dressing of your choice

• Spices of your choice

For cooking: Olive oil, salt & pepper

Optional Add-Ins

This is where you can make the salad your own:

• Corn

• Cooked grains, such as quinoa or farro

• Cucumber

• Tomatoes

• Bell peppers

• Avocado

• Fresh herbs

• Seeds or nuts

• Dried fruit

• Extra Parmesan

Good spice ideas for this salad:

• Garlic powder

• Onion powder

• Paprika

• Smoked paprika

• Chili powder

• Cumin

• Italian seasoning

• Oregano

• Basil

• Dill

• Parsley

• Red pepper flakes

• Lemon pepper

• Everything bagel seasoning

• Cajun seasoning

Instructions

1. Season the chicken.
   Lightly coat the chicken with olive oil and season both sides with salt and pepper.

2. Grill the chicken.
   Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken for about 5–7 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until the center reaches 165°F.

3. Let it rest.
   Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This helps keep it juicy.

4. Build your salad.
   Add the greens to a large bowl. Add your cheese, spices, and any vegetables, grains, seeds, nuts, or dried fruit you want to use.

5. Finish the salad.
   Slice the grilled chicken and add it on top. Drizzle with your favorite dressing and toss everything together.

Tips

• Keep it simple: You don't need every optional topping. Use what you already have.

• Choose a good dressing: Read the ingredient list. Look for one made with simple ingredients and an oil you’re comfortable using.

• Change the cheese: Parmesan, feta, goat cheese, cheddar, or mozzarella all work.

• Add texture: Seeds, nuts, corn, or dried fruit can completely change the salad.

• Meal prep: Grill extra chicken and keep it in the refrigerator so you can build salads throughout the week.

The idea: Think of this less as a strict recipe and more as a formula: greens + grilled chicken + cheese + dressing + seasoning, then customize from there.