Experience a symphony of Mediterranean flavors with this vibrant Greek Salad featuring succulent Marinated Chicken. Roasted chickpeas add a delightful crunch, tangy feta cheese delivers a creamy, salty counterpoint, and crisp, fresh vegetables create a truly satisfying and wholesome meal. This isn’t just a salad; it’s a complete culinary journey in a bowl, perfect for a refreshing lunch or a hearty, healthy dinner.
Unleash the Freshness: A Greek Salad Masterpiece
Dive into a world where fresh, vibrant ingredients meet unparalleled flavor. Our Greek Salad with Marinated Chicken is a testament to the simplicity and richness of Mediterranean cuisine. Each forkful combines the crispness of garden-fresh cucumber and juicy cherry tomatoes with the subtle bite of thinly sliced red onion. Salty Kalamata olives and the unique sweetness of mild pepperoncini peppers add depth, while crunchy roasted chickpeas and creamy, tangy feta cheese elevate the texture and taste profile. The star of the show, perfectly moist and tender marinated chicken, is infused with a zesty homemade dressing, making every bite a delight. This salad is designed not just to tantalize your taste buds but to provide a truly filling and satisfying experience, whether for a quick lunch or a relaxed dinner.
Why This Marinated Chicken Greek Salad Will Become Your Go-To Meal
This isn’t just any salad; it’s a hearty favorite that consistently earns rave reviews. What makes it so special? It starts with a dynamic combination of flavors and an exciting interplay of textures that keep every bite interesting. The chicken, marinated to perfection, remains incredibly moist and is seasoned just right, absorbing all the zesty goodness of our signature Greek dressing. Paired with an abundance of fresh vegetables, this salad transforms into a satisfying meal that genuinely nourishes both body and soul.
When crafting a salad that can stand as a complete meal, protein is paramount. This Greek salad, with its perfectly cooked marinated chicken and crunchy roasted chickpeas, delivers a substantial protein punch that keeps you feeling full and energized. It stands proudly alongside other beloved recipes like our Asian Chopped Chicken Salad, the incredibly speedy Favorite 5-Minute Salad, and the crowd-pleasing Layered Chicken Taco Salad. Each of these offers a unique culinary adventure, but this Greek salad holds a special place, ensuring everyone at the table walks away with a smile and a contented stomach.
Beyond its delicious taste, this salad champions healthy eating without sacrificing flavor. It’s packed with essential nutrients, fiber, and lean protein, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to maintain a balanced diet. The vibrant colors are a testament to the fresh ingredients, each contributing to a dish that’s as beautiful to look at as it is delightful to eat. It’s an ideal option for meal prep, busy weeknights, or entertaining guests who appreciate fresh, wholesome food.
Essential Ingredients and Kitchen Supplies for Your Greek Salad
Crafting the perfect Greek Salad with Marinated Chicken requires a thoughtful selection of fresh, quality ingredients and a few standard kitchen tools. Below, you’ll find everything you need to bring this Mediterranean masterpiece to life. For precise measurements and more detailed instructions, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
Ingredients for a Fresh & Flavorful Feast:
- For the Zesty Marinade & Dressing:
- Red wine vinegar: Provides the essential tangy base.
- Fresh lemon juice: Adds bright citrus notes, balancing the flavors.
- Minced garlic: The aromatic heart of the dressing, delivering robust flavor.
- Dijon mustard: Acts as an emulsifier, binding the dressing and adding a subtle kick.
- Dried oregano: A classic Greek herb, offering earthy, slightly peppery undertones.
- Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors.
- Ground black pepper: Adds a hint of warmth and spice.
- Extra-virgin olive oil: The cornerstone of Mediterranean cuisine, providing richness and smoothness.
- For the Hearty Chicken & Crisp Salad:
- Boneless, skinless chicken tenders: Chosen for their quick cooking time and tenderness, absorbing the marinade beautifully.
- Sweet butter leaf lettuce mix: A delicate, tender base for the salad, offering a mild, buttery flavor.
- Red onion: Adds a sharp, pungent flavor and beautiful color when thinly sliced.
- Cherry tomatoes: Bursts of sweet juiciness, providing essential freshness.
- Cucumber: Delivers a refreshing, crisp texture and coolness.
- Mild pepperoncini peppers: Offers a unique sweet and tangy element with a slight zing.
- Pitted Kalamata olives: These iconic Greek olives bring a distinctive salty, briny flavor.
- Feta cheese chunks: Crumbly, salty, and tangy, it’s indispensable for an authentic Greek salad experience.
- Roasted chickpeas: Our secret weapon for added crunch, protein, and a nutty flavor. (Don’t miss the separate recipe for perfect roasting!)
Essential Kitchen Supplies:
- Medium mixing bowl: For whisking up that incredible marinade and dressing.
- Gallon-size sealable plastic baggie: The ideal vessel for marinating your chicken, ensuring even coating.
- Large skillet: Perfect for searing and cooking the chicken to golden-brown perfection.
- Large serving bowl: Where all the beautiful ingredients come together for a stunning presentation.
Crafting Your Greek Salad with Marinated Chicken: A Step-by-Step Guide
Preparing this exquisite Greek salad is a straightforward process that yields incredibly rewarding results. Follow these steps carefully to ensure a flavorful and perfectly balanced meal:
- Step 1: Prepare the Irresistible Marinade and Dressing.
In your medium mixing bowl, combine all the dressing ingredients EXCEPT for the extra-virgin olive oil. This includes the red wine vinegar, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Whisk these components vigorously until they are thoroughly combined. Next, slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil while continuing to whisk vigorously. This slow addition and constant whisking are crucial for creating a well-emulsified, creamy dressing that won’t separate. Once fully incorporated and smooth, you’ll have a beautifully balanced Greek dressing. Reserve 3/4 cup of this mixture to dress your finished salad later. The remaining dressing will become the flavorful marinade for your chicken.
- Step 2: Marinate the Chicken for Maximum Flavor.
Transfer the remaining marinade (the portion not reserved for dressing) into a gallon-size sealable plastic bag. Add your boneless, skinless chicken tenders to the bag, ensuring they are well coated by the marinade. Seal the bag, pressing out as much air as possible, and refrigerate. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes to absorb those wonderful Greek flavors. For an even more intense taste, you can marinate the chicken for up to 3 hours. Avoid marinating for longer than 3 hours, as the acidity in the dressing can start to break down the chicken’s texture.
- Step 3: Perfectly Cook Your Marinated Chicken.
Once your chicken has finished marinating, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Carefully remove the chicken tenders from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off, and place them in the hot skillet. Sear the chicken for approximately 3 minutes per side, or until each side is beautifully browned and has a delicious crust. After searing, cover the pan with a lid and continue to cook for an additional 2 minutes. This crucial step helps to steam the chicken, locking in moisture and ensuring it cooks through without drying out. To verify doneness, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken; it should read 165°F (74°C). Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest on a cutting board for a few minutes before slicing it into bite-sized pieces. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in incredibly tender and flavorful chicken.
- Step 4: Assemble Your Gorgeous Greek Salad.
In a large serving bowl, lay down the sweet butter leaf lettuce mix as your base. Artfully arrange the fresh toppings over the lettuce: the thinly sliced red onion, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, mild pepperoncini peppers, and pitted Kalamata olives. Drizzle a portion of the reserved Greek dressing over this colorful vegetable mixture. Gently toss the salad to ensure all components are lightly coated. Continue to add more dressing and toss until the salad is dressed to your personal preference, achieving the perfect balance of flavors without overpowering the fresh ingredients. Finally, top your magnificently assembled salad with the succulent slices of marinated chicken, generous chunks of feta cheese, and the irresistible crunch of roasted chickpeas.
- Step 5: Serve and Savor!
Present your stunning Greek Salad with Marinated Chicken immediately and enjoy the burst of fresh, savory, and tangy flavors. It’s a meal that’s as delightful to the eyes as it is to the palate!
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips for Your Greek Salad
While this Greek Salad with Marinated Chicken is undeniably best enjoyed fresh, you can certainly prepare components ahead of time or store leftovers for a quick, delicious meal later. To maximize freshness and maintain optimal texture, it’s highly recommended to store the dressing, chicken, and salad components separately until just before serving. The cooked marinated chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Similarly, the chopped vegetables and roasted chickpeas can be kept separately in airtight containers for 2-3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply assemble the desired portion of salad, add the chicken, and toss with a little fresh dressing. This method prevents the lettuce from wilting and the chickpeas from becoming soggy, ensuring every meal is as delightful as the first.
If you have a fully assembled salad as a leftover, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate. It will generally keep for about one day, though the lettuce may soften slightly. A quick toss with a fresh drizzle of dressing can help revive the flavors before enjoying.
Explore More Fresh and Flavorful Salad Creations
Craving more delightful and healthy salad options? Our curated collection of Fresh and Flavorful Salad Recipes offers an abundance of inspiration to bring vibrant greens and exciting flavors to any meal. Whether you’re seeking a light side salad, a substantial dinner salad, or something unique for a special occasion, you’ll discover a salad tailored to every taste and preference. From crunchy textures to creamy dressings, and from zesty to savory profiles, there’s a world of fresh possibilities waiting to be explored. Perfect for every season and every palate, these recipes make healthy eating a joy.
We absolutely adore seeing your culinary creations! If you whip up this fantastic Greek Salad with Marinated Chicken, don’t forget to snap a picture and share it with us on Instagram. Tag @thebakermama so we can admire your delicious work. For those on Facebook, we invite you to join our vibrant Friends of The BakerMama group. It’s a wonderful community where you can connect with fellow food lovers, share your cooking adventures, and discover even more fun and yummy recipes from our kitchen. We are constantly inspired by your creativity and how you bring our ideas to life. Happy cooking, and most importantly, enjoy every delightful bite!
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Greek Salad with Marinated Chicken
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star
5 from 2 reviews
Author: The BakerMama
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Marinating Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 48 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Description
This Greek Salad with Marinated Chicken is an explosion of fresh, tangy, and savory flavors. It features tender, zesty marinated chicken, crunchy roasted chickpeas, briny Kalamata olives, creamy feta, and crisp, vibrant vegetables, all tossed in a homemade Greek dressing for a truly filling and delicious meal.
Ingredients
Greek Marinade/Dressing (makes approximately 1 and 1/2 cups):
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Chicken and Salad Makings:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken tenders
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking chicken)
- 1 (6-ounce) bag sweet butter leaf lettuce mix (about 5 cups loosely packed)
- 1/2 of a medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 12 red cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 small cucumber, sliced into half-moons
- 1/2 cup mild sliced pepperoncini
- 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives, halved
- 1/2 cup feta cheese chunks or crumbles
- 1/2 cup roasted chickpeas (see separate recipe here)
Instructions
- Make the Marinade/Dressing: In a medium mixing bowl, vigorously whisk together the red wine vinegar, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, kosher salt, and ground black pepper until well combined. Slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil, whisking continuously and vigorously until the dressing is fully emulsified and smooth. Measure out and reserve 3/4 cup of this mixture to use as the salad dressing. The remaining portion will be used to marinate the chicken.
- Marinate the Chicken: Transfer the remaining marinade to a gallon-size sealable plastic bag. Add the boneless, skinless chicken tenders to the bag, ensuring they are thoroughly coated. Seal the bag, pressing out any excess air, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 3 hours, to allow the flavors to penetrate the chicken.
- Cook the Chicken: Once the chicken has marinated, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully remove the chicken tenders from the marinade, letting any excess drip off, and place them in the hot skillet. Sear for approximately 3 minutes per side, or until the chicken develops a nice golden-brown crust.
- Cover the pan with a lid and continue to cook for an additional 2 minutes. This step helps to steam the chicken, ensuring it cooks all the way through without drying out. For guaranteed doneness, check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer; it should read 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it into bite-sized pieces.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large serving bowl, place the sweet butter leaf lettuce mix. Arrange the sliced red onion, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, pepperoncini, and Kalamata olives on top of the lettuce. Drizzle some of the reserved dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to combine. Continue to add dressing and toss until the salad is coated to your liking. Finally, top the salad with the sliced marinated chicken, feta cheese chunks, and roasted chickpeas. Serve immediately and enjoy!