Healthy Grilled Chicken Salad

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We enjoy salad for dinner at least once a week, and one of my favorite healthy salad recipes is my Healthy Grilled Chicken Salad. This easy chicken salad recipe includes grilled chicken and hard boiled eggs, making this a protein rich salad that will keep you fuller for longer.

Healthy Grilled Chicken Salad Save

Healthy Grilled Chicken Salad

My Simple Grilled Chicken Salad recipe is a firm favorite, if it’s grilling season I will warm up the grill. If it’s not, I warm up my George Foreman grill and cook indoors.

For a quick cook I season some thin chicken cutlets with salt & pepper, garlic powder, and a little dry rub, usually McCormick’s Grill Mates Smokehouse Maple Flavor. I like using chicken cutlets as they cook more quickly than a whole chicken breast.

When the grill is hot, I add the chicken to let it start cooking and set a timer for 5 minutes. Then once the chicken is cooked it’s simply a case of assembling the rest of the salad.

Grilling the chicken adds real depth of flavor in this Best Grilled Chicken Salad recipe. I like to finish the salad with a grating of fresh Parmesan cheese then you can add your favorite salad dressing just before serving.

This is a great fresh summer salad, perfect to serve when the sun is out!

How to make Healthy Grilled Chicken Salad:

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  • Season some thin chicken cutlets with salt & pepper, garlic powder, and a little dry rub. Consider using this delicious Blackening Seasoning!
  • Grill chicken outdoors or using an indoor grill.
  • Chop some mixed greens, kale, and spinach.
  • Slice some small tomatoes in half and add those in.
  • Add about 3 tablespoons of sunflower seeds.
  • Add some McCormick Salad Toppings.
  • Slice the hard boiled eggs and add them to the salad.
  • When the chicken is done, slice it and add it to the top of the salad.
  • Grate some fresh Parmesan cheese to add to the top, and serve.

Grilled Chicken Salad Recipe Ingredients:

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  • CHICKEN: I use chicken breast cutlets as they cook quickly on the grill.
  • SEASONING: I season the chicken with a dry rub for chicken, garlic powder, salt and black pepper. For the chicken dry rub I like to use McCormick’s Grill Mates Smokehouse Maple Flavor.
  • GREENS: I use a bag of mixed salad greens in this recipe.
  • TOMATOES: You can use any variety of tomato, I like cherry tomatoes as they have a lovely sweet flavor.
  • SEEDS: Sunflower seeds add great crunch to the salad.
  • FLAVORINGS: I always add some McCormick Salad Toppings to this salad to add extra flavor and crunch.
  • EGGS: Some hard boiled eggs add extra protein.
  • CHEESE: I finish the salad with some fresh Parmesan cheese, this is a great strong cheese and you don’t need to add too much.

Flavor variations & substitutions:

  • If using whole chicken breasts, cut them in half horizontally to create two thinner pieces which will cook quicker on the grill.
  • Add extra iron to the salad greens by mixing through some kale or spinach.
  • You can add a drizzle of your favorite salad dressing just before serving.
  • Swap the sunflower seeds for pumpkin seeds, or try a mix of both.
  • There’s a lot of flavor in this easy grilled chicken salad, however you can add a drizzle of salad dressing if you wish.
  • Add extra fruits and vegetables like cucumber, celery, green or black olives.

Serving suggestion:

This is a healthy and delicious salad main and I serve it on it’s own. However, you can add some crusty bread or garlic bread if you wish.

Recipe hints & tips:

  • Get ahead by grilling the chicken and boiling the eggs earlier in the day. Then all you need to do is layer up the salad when you are ready to eat.
  • I wash my mixed greens, kale, and spinach, and place it in a Spin’n Stor Salad Spinning and Storage Bag. I spin it around to remove the excess water. I remove the greens and chop them on my cutting board. You can read more about how the Spin’n Stor Salad Spinning and Storage Bags work in my feature post.
  • Toast the sunflower seeds in a dry non-stick skillet for a few minutes to add and extra layer of flavor.
  • If adding a salad dressing, don’t dress the salad until you are ready to serve, otherwise the salad greens will wilt and become soggy.
Healthy Grilled Chicken Salad Save

FAQs

Is grilled chicken healthy?

Yes, chicken is rich in protein and other nutrients and being a lean meat is lower in fat compared with other meat. Grilling the chicken is a great way to cook it, adding an extra layer of flavor, without any added fat.

What is the best cut of chicken for salad?

I prefer to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for salads. Although rotisserie chicken that’s been de-boned and shredded also works great.

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs also work well, as darker meats tend to retain more moisture and more depth of flavor.

How to store leftover grilled chicken salad?

I suggest storing each ingredient separately in its own airtight container in the refrigerator, for maximum freshness.

Can you freeze grilled chicken salad?

I do not recommend freezing salad.

However, you can prepare and cook the chicken cutlets in bulk, then allow to cool and freeze for up to 3 months. This is ideal for a quick meal another day, just defrost the chicken and add to the salad.

Don’t miss these great tasting salad recipes here at When Is Dinner:

Yield: 6

Healthy Grilled Chicken Salad

Healthy Grilled Chicken Salad
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • Chicken Cutlets
  • Mixed Greens, Kale, Spinach
  • Tomatoes
  • Sunflower Seeds
  • McCormick Salad Toppings
  • Hard Boiled Eggs
  • Parmesan Cheese
  • Dry Rub for Chicken
  • Garlic Powder
  • Salt & Pepper

Instructions

Season some thin chicken cutlets with salt & pepper, garlic powder, and a little dry rub

Grill chicken outdoors or using an indoor grill

Chop some mixed greens, kale, and spinach

Slice some small tomatoes in half and add those in

Add about 3 tbsp sunflower seeds

Add some McCormick Salad Toppings

Slice the hard boiled eggs and add them to the salad

When the chicken is done, slice it and add it to the top of the salad

Grate some fresh parmesan cheese to add to the top, and dinner is served!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 233Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 1433mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 4gSugar: 2gProtein: 16g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment below & if you recreate this recipe, be sure to share a photo on Instagram. Tag me @when.is.dinner and hashtag #whenisdinner!

© Karen Puleski
Cuisine: American / Category: Salads
 

These are a few things I find helpful in my own kitchen when preparing this Healthy Grilled Chicken Salad Recipe:

George Foreman GRP1060B 4 Serving Removable Plate Grill, Black Save
George Foreman GRP1060B 4 Serving Removable Plate Grill, Black
Save
McCormick Grill Mates Smokehouse Maple Seasoning, 15.5-Ounce Save
McCormick Grill Mates Smokehouse Maple Seasoning, 15.5-Ounce
Save
McCormick, Salad Toppins, Crunchy & Flavorful, 3.75oz Bottle (Pack of 3) Save
McCormick, Salad Toppins, Crunchy & Flavorful, 3.75oz Bottle (Pack of 3)
Save
Trader Joe's Roasted & Salted Sunflower Seeds 16Oz Save
Trader Joe’s Roasted & Salted Sunflower Seeds 16Oz
Save
Dutis 3-Piece Dishwasher Safe Plastic Cutting Board Set with Non-Slip Feet and Drip Juice Groove, White with Lime Green Save
Dutis 3-Piece Dishwasher Safe Plastic Cutting Board Set with Non-Slip Feet and Drip Juice Groove, White with Lime Green
Save
J.A. HENCKELS INTERNATIONAL Classic 8-inch Chef's Knife Save
J.A. HENCKELS INTERNATIONAL Classic 8-inch Chef’s Knife
Save
OXO Good Grips Egg Slicer, White/Black Save
OXO Good Grips Egg Slicer, White/Black
Save
ZYLISS Classic Rotary Cheese Grater - NSF Restaurant Certified Save
ZYLISS Classic Rotary Cheese Grater – NSF Restaurant Certified
Save
Certified International Corp Tuscany Salad/Dessert Plates, 9 Save
Certified International Corp Tuscany Salad/Dessert Plates, 9
Save
Totally Bamboo Salad Hands, 100% Bamboo Salad Servers Save
Totally Bamboo Salad Hands, 100% Bamboo Salad Servers
Save

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I am an Austin, TX stay at home, blogging mom of three grown children. Cancer Survivor. I love to cook, bake, read, craft, and spend time with my children.

Friendly & Kind comments welcome. This is a positive environment. Recipe Ratings Appreciated!

92 Comments

  2. Another thing you could do if you were short on time, is instead of cooking your own chicken breast, you could get one of those whole chickens from walmart or whatever and cut it up and put some of it directly in the salad. Also, I would consider putting a little maple syrup in my balsamic or italian dressing, to add some sweet maple flavor to the salad.

  3. This chicken salad looks so delicious! I often eat salads for lunch and this would be great to try.

  4. Im not an very experienced cook so love easy recipies. I still love to eat good though!

  7. Looks delicious, I’m allergic to kale and spinach so I’d put the other ingredients over some Arugula but I know it would still be delish!

  8. This sounds and looks so delicious! I have never had sunflower seeds on a salad. I will have to try that.

  10. One of my favorite types of salad 🙂 Especially when I am able to use fresh vegetables from my garden! I also love to add craisins and something crunchy!

  13. I love salads, especially in the summertime. This one looks amazing. healthy grilled chicken which is filling and so good! Thank you for sharing.

  17. Great recipe! I can’t wait to try the Spin’n Stor Salad Spinning and Storage Bags!

  22. Oh that looks great!! While I’m not overly fond of kale I can sub that out as the rest looks great!! Thanks for the recipe and chance for another salad!!

    Mishelle

  24. This Grilled Chicken Salad looks and sounds so good! Thank you for sharing it, as well as those Spin’n Stor Salad Spinning and Storage Bags! I’m checking them out right now!

  25. This looks like the perfect meal! I will be shopping for the ingredients soon!

  26. The salad looks so fresh and tasty. It’d go perfectly at a barbecue paired with my potato salad.

  27. This grilled chicken salad looks like a perfect meal for a hot summer night! It’s cool and refreshing!

  28. This looks like a good summer meal. I’ve never cooked chicken to add to salad, but plan on doing it this summer.
    Thanks for sharing the recipe.

  31. I love to serve hearty salads for summer meals. They are light, healthy and satisfying.

  32. It is begininng to heat up here in St Louis, and slads are great hot weather meals. While I don’t grill, I do the rubs and throw the chicken in a grill pan–great for a salad.

  33. This cooks really good. We love a good chicken salad. I like how you could use leftovers for this too.

  34. My husband loves a grilled chicken salad, so I will print this and make it for him. It really looks good!!!

  36. This grilled chicken salad looks tasty! I have some leftover lemon chicken that will taste good in this salad!

  37. This salad looks fantastic! Hubby hates having salads but I’m slowly winning him over! haha

  38. This sounds so good while also being a healthy choice! I need to buy some of the salad bags.

  39. We don’t eat tomatoes in this house, but the rest of this salad sounds great! I never think to actually MAKE chicken for a salad, I usually use leftovers. But I love this option!

  40. I am a huge summer salad fan and this looks awesome! I love that you can do this with leftovers from your bbq and it’s quick and easy! I will definitely be making this salad as soon as it gets warmer by me!

  42. Absolutely delicious! And just in time for spring grilling. I want to have more salads.

  45. That sounds like a great recipe and I think I may have all I need to make it for lunch! Yummy!

    Mishelle

  50. This looks like a very tasty, filling and nutritious salad that I would definitely enjoy.

  55. I’m vegan, but this recipe seems like something my mother would love! I might try to make it for her when I am home for the summer.

  57. i really wish more people would see salads as a viable option for a meal. they are healthy and versatile

  59. I like the ingredients in this recipe especially the parmesan cheese. I’m dieting and doing a lot of chicken these days

  62. How healthy and delicious, all at the same time! I am trying this out this coming week.

  66. These nice Healthy Grilled Chicken Salad looks so delicious. What a flashback, I can barely wait to try this nice recipe out.

  68. My daughter and I love eating healthy salads. We love chicken, and this has spinach and kale, which we also love to eat. I’ll definitely have to make a batch of this.

  69. The dry rub McCormick’s Grill Mates Smokehouse Maple Flavor is new to me and sounds like a great “salad secret ingredient”. I am anxious to try both the Spin’n Stor Salad Spinning and Storage Bags and the McCormick’s Grill Mates.

  70. The salad looks very delicious! I sometimes keep my salad in a bag, sometimes it stays fresher
    @tisonlyme143

  73. One of our new year’s resolutions is to eat better. I suspect we will be eating grilled chicken salad a lot more this year.

  75. This salad looks so amazing and fresh and healthy I want to make it this week thanks for sharing this one.

  76. This is pretty much how I make mine.. minus the tomatoes. I also like to add walnuts or almonds for extra crunch and protein.

  80. Looks very delicious, will have to make this for my mother and I.

  81. Oh yummy! We just had a chicken salad for dinner last night…this recipe looks way better than what we had!

  85. My husband and I eat things like this all the time. My husband loves using chicken in his salads.

    Judy Cox

  86. Topping a salad with grilled chicken is one of my favorite dinners. I don’t usually use kale, so I’ll have to switch it up and try it.

  87. The Spin’n Store Salad Spinning and Storage Bags look really handy! I love a good salad like this!

  90. (Healthy Grilled Chicken Salad) This is one healthy salad recipe that will work out great for the diet that I am doing right now for my 2017 resolution.

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