Greek Isles Grilled Chicken Salad

Greek Isles Grilled Chicken Salad

Okay, so maybe a luxurious Greek Isles vacation is not on your horizon anytime soon. But perhaps enjoying this simple salad redolent with some of the traditional foods and flavors, you’ll think for just a moment you’re lunching at a beautiful seaside café in Greece.

Perfect choice for a spring or summer party or perhaps Easter or Mother’s Day celebrations when a light, healthy and colorful dish is desired. View my complete Salad Collection HERE.

And this salad literally comes together in minutes! Simply whisk together the vinaigrette, grill the quick-cooking chicken tenders, assemble all salad ingredients on a lovely platter and get ready to impress your family and friends with this show-stopping salad.

Delicious accompaniments to your Greek salad would be tzatziki along with grilled pita bread.

Yield: about 4 servings
Author: Linda Shapiro, © Meal Planning Maven

Ingredients

Greek Vinaigrette

  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper or to taste
  • 1-2 cloves garlic minced

Chicken

  • 1 pound chicken tenders or boneless chicken breast, cut into strips
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground pepper as desired
  • 1-2 cloves chopped garlic optional (I didn’t use as I felt there was enough garlic in the vinaigrette.)
  • Oil for grill pan

Salad

  • 4 plum tomatoes cut into slices or wedges
  • 1/3 cup sliced red onion
  • 1 cucumber cut into slices or wedges (seed if desired-I used an English cucumber which has less seeds.)
  • 8 pepperocini optional
  • 8 colorful mini bell peppers red, yellow and orange
  • 1 large green bell pepper cut into rings
  • 1/2 cup Greek olives
  • 1 cup feta cheese chunks
  • 8 cups salad greens such as romaine, butter lettuce, red-leaf, etc.

Garnish

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley

Instructions

Make the Vinaigrette

  • In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients. Set aside.

Grill the chicken

  • In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt and pepper. (and garlic if using)
  • Place chicken tenders in a 9 x 13-inch dish. Pour marinade over chicken, tossing to coat. If time permits, refrigerate marinated chicken (covered) for up to 1 day, turning occasionally.
  • Lightly oil grill pan; heat to medium-high setting. Grill chicken for about 3 minutes on each side or until juices run clear with no pink color remaining. (165 degrees F)
  • Remove chicken from pan; cut into chunks.

Assembly

  • Place greens on a decorative serving platter or in a large bowl.
  • Arrange all salad ingredients on platter; drizzle with vinaigrette. (Or if preferred, toss all salad ingredients with vinaigrette in a large bowl before arranging on platter. Or serve dressing on the side. Sprinkle with parsley.

Notes

Make Ahead and Storage Tips: vinaigrette may be made up to 4 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Remove from refrigerator about 15 minutes before serving. Dressed salad is best enjoyed on the same day. Chicken may be marinated up to 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.
Don’t have a stove-top grill pan? No worries as a large flat pan (like a griddle) or sauté pan may be used. A counter-top grills such as a George Forman would be an excellent choice. Chicken may also be cooked on an outdoor grill.
Short on time? Cutting up a cooked rotisserie chicken (such as lemon-pepper) would be fine as well.
Not in the mood for grilled chicken? Simply swap with either grilled shrimp or perhaps salmon using the same marinade as for the chicken.
Greek-inspired dishes that would make nice accompaniments: Tzatziki, (serve with grilled pita bread), Beef Kefta Kabobs and Chicken ‘n Veggie Souvlaki.

 

15 Responses

  1. Simply Sated
    Absolutely gorgeous dish - I love everything about it. Colors, textures, flavor - it has it all!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thanks ever so much! I hope you have the chance to try it some day!
  2. Love this; thanks for taking me to the Greek Isles, if only for a moment. Looks absolutely delicious!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thank you so much! We adore Greek food and try to enjoy it as often as possible.
  3. This salad look so fresh and delicious! I can't wait to try it!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thank you so much...enjoy!
  4. Linda this looks delicious ! I am a HUGE fan of salad and mediterranean foods and can't wait to try this.
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thank you so much Heidy! I just adore Mediterranean foods and could live on the daily. Enjoy!
  5. They say you eat with your eyes first and this is certainly a feast for the eyes. I love Greek flavors, lovely salad.
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      What a lovely comment Janette! Thanks for your kind words!
  6. This is so colorful and wonderful! I came here from Pinterest (your vertical pin is beautiful!). I think I'd love this salad. There used to be a Greek place not too far from me, but they closed. Now I have to make my own. Can't wait to try this.
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thank you very much Debi. I am working very hard on my vertical pins. I have so appreciated your guidance and support!
  7. I am loving the mediterranean flavours in this salad. It's just bursting with great colour!
    • Linda Shapiro (Meal Planning Maven)
      Thanks so much for your kind words!
  8. Delicious dish, hard to resit thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning and tweeting.