Homemade Grilled Chicken Salad

Hey there! I'm so excited to share this homemade grilled chicken salad recipe with you today. This isn't just any boring salad - it's packed with flavor, loaded with colorful veggies, and topped with perfectly seasoned grilled chicken that'll make your taste buds dance!

I first made this salad last summer when Emily and I were looking for something light but filling for dinner after a hot day. We both loved it so much that it's now in our regular rotation.

The combination of juicy grilled chicken, sweet roasted potatoes, and that tangy honey mustard dressing is just impossible to resist!

If you're looking for more meal-worthy salads, you might want to check out my healthy buffalo chicken wraps which have a similar flavor profile but with a spicy twist!

Why You'll Love This Grilled Chicken Salad

• Flavor-packed: The marinated grilled chicken and honey mustard dressing add so much flavor!
• Protein-rich: With 50g of protein per serving, this salad will keep you full for hours.
• Versatile: Customize it with your favorite veggies or whatever's in season.
• Meal-prep friendly: Prep components ahead of time for easy lunches or dinners.
• Balanced: Perfect mix of protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs in one bowl.

Ingredients for Your Homemade Grilled Chicken Salad

For the Grilled Chicken

• 1-1¼ lb boneless chicken breasts
• 2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar or lemon juice
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper

For the Salad

• 1 head romaine lettuce
• ½ cucumber, chopped
• ½ cup halved cherry tomatoes
• 2-4 Tablespoons chopped red onion
• ½ cup grilled corn
• Roasted sweet potatoes
• 1 avocado
• Feta cheese, optional
• Honey mustard dressing

How to Make the Perfect Grilled Chicken Salad

Marinating the Chicken

1. Whisk vinegar, oil, garlic powder, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well combined.
2. Place chicken in a shallow dish or 1-gallon sealable plastic bag. Add the marinade, toss to coat, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 12 hours.
3. While chicken is marinating, make dressing and prep remaining ingredients.

Grilling the Chicken

1. Remove chicken from the marinade, shake off excess, and discard leftover marinade.
2. Heat a grill or grill pan. Once hot, place the chicken on the grill and cook for about 5 minutes per side, or until cooked through and no longer pink. You want the internal chicken temperature to be 165°F.
3. Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before slicing. This helps keep all those delicious juices in! (I learned this trick the hard way after slicing into way too many dry chicken breasts!)

Assembling Your Salad

1. Add a bed of romaine lettuce to two bowls.
2. Top with cucumber, tomatoes, onion, corn, sweet potatoes, and avocado.
3. Slice the grilled chicken and place on top of the salad.
4. Sprinkle with feta cheese if using, drizzle with dressing, and enjoy!

Make Your Homemade Salad Ahead of Time

If you want the real deal but don't have time to make everything for this homemade grilled chicken salad in one night, you can prep all of the components in advance for faster assembly.

Here's what I would prep in advance:

• Chicken – you can either make the marinade the night before you want to make these salads and let the chicken sit overnight. Then cook the chicken when you're ready to make dinner. Or you can cook the chicken 1-3 days prior for quicker assembly.
• Roasted sweet potatoes – these sweet potatoes are hands-off once they're roasting, but it does take a little time to cook. Make a batch at the beginning of the week and use all week long!
• Honey mustard dressing – another simple component to prep in advance!

Storing Leftovers from Your Chicken Salad

I recommend storing each component in separate containers. That way your lettuce won't get soggy. Everything should last 4-5 days in the refrigerator.

When you're ready to enjoy, heat up the chicken and sweet potatoes (or enjoy them cold) and assemble your salad!

My husband actually prefers this salad with cold chicken, but I'm team warm chicken all the way. Who agrees with me?

Customize Your Grilled Chicken Salad

One of the reasons I love this salad with grilled chicken is how customizable it is!

Here are some suggestions for variations and substitutions:

• Switch up the greens – if you're not a fan of romaine lettuce, you can substitute it with mixed salad greens, spinach, kale or arugula.
• Swap the protein – you can easily swap this grilled chicken with another protein like steak, grilled shrimp, crispy baked tofu, tempeh, or roasted chickpeas.
• Switch up the veggies – feel free to switch up the vegetables based on what you have on hand or what's in season. Bell peppers, radishes, carrots, broccoli would be great additions.
• Make this dairy-free and vegan – simply skip the feta cheese or use vegan feta cheese.

I've made this with leftover steak instead of chicken before, and it was absolutely incredible! Emily thought it was even better than the chicken version, but I'm still torn on which I prefer.

FAQ About Homemade Grilled Chicken Salad

Recipes You May Like

• Sweet Potato Chili - Another delicious way to enjoy sweet potatoes in a hearty, healthy meal!
• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges - These make a perfect side dish or can be added to this salad for extra crunch!
• Healthy Buffalo Chicken Wraps - If you love this salad, you'll also enjoy these flavorful wraps!

Final Thoughts on This Chicken Salad Recipe

This homemade grilled chicken salad has become one of my go-to meals when I want something that's both satisfying and nutritious.

The combination of juicy grilled chicken, crisp vegetables, and that amazing honey mustard dressing is just unbeatable!

What I love most about this recipe is how flexible it is - you can easily customize it based on what you have in your fridge or what's in season at the market.

It's perfect for meal prep, too, making it ideal for busy weekday lunches or quick dinners.

I hope you give this salad a try and love it as much as my family does! If you make it, I'd love to hear what you think or if you tried any tasty variations.