10+ Chicken Recipes for Salads Dinners: Fresh and Flavorful Ideas to Savor

Salads can be a fresh and filling option for dinner. Chicken adds protein and flavor, making salads even more satisfying. This article will help you discover a variety of chicken recipes that turn ordinary salads into delicious dinner options.

From quick weeknight meals to impressive dishes for guests, you’ll find plenty of ideas to suit your taste. Whether you prefer grilled, roasted, or poached chicken, there’s a recipe that will make your salad shine.

Enjoy exploring these tasty combinations that are sure to please you and your family.

1) Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken Salad

Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken Salad is a fresh and tasty choice for dinner. It’s packed with flavors and healthy ingredients that you will love. The combination of grilled chicken, herbs, and veggies creates a satisfying meal.

To start, marinate your chicken in lemon juice, olive oil, and herbs like parsley and oregano. Then grill it until it’s cooked through.

Slice the chicken and top it on a bed of greens, tomatoes, and cucumbers.

For added creaminess, you can drizzle some Greek yogurt or your favorite dressing on top.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
• 1 tablespoon chopped oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups mixed greens
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cucumber, sliced

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper.
2. Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat the grill to 375°F (190°C).
4. Grill the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side or until cooked.
5. Slice the grilled chicken.
6. Serve the chicken on a bed of mixed greens, topped with tomatoes and cucumbers.

2) Peppery Greens with Avocado and Chicken

This salad is refreshing and packed with flavor. You will love the crunch of the greens mixed with creamy avocado and savory chicken.

Start by tossing together arugula, frisée, and radicchio in a large bowl. These greens add a peppery taste that pairs well with your toppings.

Next, add cooked chicken, diced avocado, and some toasted tortilla pieces for crunch. Finish with a sprinkle of pepitas for extra texture.

You can dress this salad simply with lemon juice or your favorite vinaigrette for a burst of flavor.

Ingredients

• 4 cups packed arugula
• 3 cups torn frisée
• 1 ½ cups chopped radicchio
• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 1 large ripe avocado
• Tortilla pieces
• Pepitas

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the arugula, frisée, and radicchio.
2. Add the cooked chicken and diced avocado.
3. Toss in the tortilla pieces and pepitas.
4. Dress with lemon juice or vinaigrette before serving.

3) Homemade Quick Chicken Salad

You can make a quick and tasty chicken salad right at home. Start with cooked chicken, like leftover rotisserie chicken, shredded or diced. This adds great flavor and saves prep time.

Next, mix in ingredients like diced celery and chopped green onions for crunch. Add some mayonnaise for creaminess, along with salt and pepper to taste. Feel free to throw in some grapes or chopped nuts for extra texture and flavor.

This salad is perfect for sandwiches or on a bed of greens. Serve it with your favorite toppings or enjoy it plain.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: grapes or chopped nuts

Cooking Instructions

1. In a mixing bowl, add the cooked chicken, celery, and green onions.
2. Stir in the mayonnaise until well combined.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Add optional ingredients if desired.
5. Serve immediately or chill before serving.

4) Summer Strawberry and Feta Chicken Salad

This Summer Strawberry and Feta Chicken Salad is a perfect choice for warm weather. It combines grilled chicken with fresh strawberries and creamy feta cheese, making it both tasty and healthy.

Start by marinating your chicken in a light dressing before grilling. The sweet strawberries contrast nicely with the salty feta. Toss in some mixed greens for added crunch.

You can also add nuts for extra texture. Serve it with a citrus vinaigrette for a refreshing finish. This salad is great for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

• 2 grilled chicken breasts
• 2 cups mixed greens
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup walnuts (optional)
• 1/4 cup citrus vinaigrette

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate the chicken in a light dressing.
2. Grill the chicken until fully cooked (165°F or 74°C).
3. In a large bowl, add mixed greens.
4. Top with sliced strawberries and crumbled feta.
5. Add grilled chicken on top.
6. Drizzle with citrus vinaigrette and toss gently.

5) BBQ Grilled Chicken and Corn Salad

This BBQ Grilled Chicken and Corn Salad is perfect for a quick and tasty dinner. The juicy grilled chicken pairs well with sweet corn, adding a burst of flavor to your meal. You can also include colorful veggies for extra crunch.

Start by marinating chicken in your favorite barbecue sauce. Grill it until cooked through. While the chicken is grilling, you can roast some corn on the cob for added sweetness.

Once everything is ready, chop the chicken and corn. Combine them with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and any other veggies you love. Drizzle with more barbecue sauce for that delicious finish.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 cup corn (fresh or charred)
• 2 cups mixed greens
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• Barbecue sauce
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate chicken in barbecue sauce for at least 30 minutes.
2. Preheat your grill to 400°F (200°C).
3. Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until cooked.
4. Grill corn until lightly charred.
5. Chop chicken and corn.
6. Combine with mixed greens and tomatoes.
7. Drizzle with barbecue sauce and serve.

6) Citrus Chicken with Arugula

Citrus chicken with arugula is a fresh and vibrant dish. The zesty flavors of citrus brighten up the tender chicken, making it perfect for a salad dinner.

Start by marinating your chicken in lemon juice and orange juice. This adds a refreshing taste. Grill or bake the chicken until it reaches 165°F (74°C).

Toss arugula with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Add slices of the cooked chicken on top. You can also add nuts or cheese for extra flavor.

This dish is easy to make and perfect for a light dinner.

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts
• Lemon juice
• Orange juice
• Olive oil
• Arugula
• Salt
• Pepper
• Optional: nuts or cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate chicken in lemon and orange juice for 30 minutes.
2. Preheat grill or oven to 375°F (190°C).
3. Cook chicken until it reaches 165°F (74°C).
4. Toss arugula with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
5. Slice cooked chicken and place over arugula.
6. Add nuts or cheese if desired.

7) Mediterranean Chicken with Olives

Mediterranean Chicken with Olives is a tasty dish that brings bold flavors to your table. You will enjoy the combination of juicy chicken and briny olives. This recipe is simple and perfect for a quick dinner.

To make this dish, start with boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Season them well with salt and pepper. Searing the chicken in a skillet adds extra flavor.

Next, add olives, garlic, and herbs like rosemary and oregano. These ingredients create a delicious sauce. Cook until the chicken is done and the flavors meld together.

Serve this dish with a fresh salad or over rice. It’s a delightful way to enjoy Mediterranean cuisine at home.

Ingredients

• 6-8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup olives, pitted
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
• 1/2 cup chicken stock

Cooking Instructions

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Dredge chicken in flour.
3. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
4. Sear chicken until golden brown, about 6-7 minutes per side.
5. Add garlic and herbs to the skillet.
6. Stir in olives and chicken stock.
7. Simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes.

8) Avocado Lime Chicken Salad

This Avocado Lime Chicken Salad is a fresh and tasty meal that’s perfect for lunch or dinner. You’ll love how simple it is to make.

Start with tender chicken and mix in creamy avocado. The lime adds a zesty flavor that brightens up the dish. You can also throw in some veggies for a nice crunch.

This salad is not only delicious but also healthy. It’s low in carbs and packed with good fats.

You can enjoy it on its own or serve it over greens for a bigger meal. It’s great for meal prep too!

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 ripe avocado, diced
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine shredded chicken and diced avocado.
2. Add Greek yogurt and lime juice.
3. Stir in cilantro.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Serve immediately or chill before serving.

9) Spicy Thai Peanut Chicken Salad

This Spicy Thai Peanut Chicken Salad is packed with flavor and crunch. You can whip it up quickly for any meal. It’s perfect for using leftover chicken, making it easy and delicious.

Begin with a base of crisp cabbage and colorful veggies. Add shredded chicken and crunchy toppings like slivered almonds and wonton noodles. The peanut dressing gives it a wonderful kick.

You can adjust the spice level to suit your taste. For a refreshing touch, add some fresh cilantro. Serve it chilled for a perfect summer dinner.

Ingredients

• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded
• 1/2 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, bell peppers)
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds
• 1/2 cup wonton noodles
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Chili flakes to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine shredded cabbage, chicken, and mixed vegetables.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, and chili flakes.
3. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
4. Top with slivered almonds and wonton noodles before serving.

10) Southwest Chipotle Chicken Salad

Enjoy a flavorful Southwest Chipotle Chicken Salad for dinner. This salad is packed with diced chicken, fresh veggies, and a spicy dressing. You will love the combination of colors and tastes.

Start with grilled chicken breast, seasoned and cut into cubes. Add black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and creamy avocado. Toss in crunchy tortilla chips for a delightful texture.

For the dressing, a mix of chipotle sauce and lime juice adds a smoky kick. It ties all the ingredients together beautifully.

This salad is perfect for a healthy meal you can whip up in no time!

Ingredients

• 1 grilled chicken breast, diced
• 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn, cooked
• 1 diced tomato
• 1 avocado, cubed
• 1 cup tortilla chips
• Chipotle dressing (store-bought or homemade)

Cooking Instructions

1. Grill the chicken breast until it reaches 165°F or 74°C.
2. Then, cut the chicken into cubes.
3. In a large bowl, combine black beans, corn, tomato, and avocado.
4. Next, add the chicken and toss them gently.
5. After that, drizzle with chipotle dressing and mix.
6. Finally, top with tortilla chips before serving.