Description
Creamy Ranch Grilled Chicken Salad delivers fresh summer flavors with crisp greens and juicy marinated chicken. Zesty dressing and charred chicken create a perfect light meal for wellness-focused diners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (1.25 lbs / 567 g)
- 4 oz (113 g) feta, crumbled
- 7 tbsps extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 romaine hearts, chopped
- 3 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 avocados, sliced
- ½ cup pitted kalamata olives, halved
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley
Instructions
- Grill Preparation: Heat grill to medium-high, clean grates, and apply light oil to prevent chicken from adhering.
- Seasoning Technique: Develop a potent spice blend using coriander, oregano, salt, and pepper. Massage chicken with spice mixture and olive oil for deep flavor infusion.
- Grilling Process: Position seasoned chicken on preheated grill, covering to generate uniform heat circulation and enhance cooking consistency. Rotate midway to create appealing crosshatch patterns and ensure thorough cooking.
- Temperature Monitoring: Verify internal chicken temperature reaches 165ºF at thickest point, confirming food safety and maintaining optimal moisture content.
- Resting Phase: Transfer grilled chicken to cutting surface, allowing meat to rest several minutes for juice redistribution and enhanced tenderness.
- Dressing Creation: Craft herb-forward dressing by vigorously whisking olive oil with finely chopped parsley, seasoning with salt and pepper to elevate taste profile.
- Salad Composition: Layer crisp lettuce foundation with cucumbers, tomatoes, avocado, feta cheese, and kalamata olives. Slice chicken into precise strips and arrange atop vegetable ensemble.
- Final Presentation: Generously drizzle herb-infused dressing across salad, ensuring comprehensive flavor integration and visual appeal.
Notes
- Prep Grill Perfectly: Clean and lightly oil grates to prevent chicken from sticking and ensure beautiful grill marks.
- Master Seasoning Technique: Create a robust spice blend that deeply penetrates chicken, enhancing overall flavor profile and moisture retention.
- Check Temperature Precisely: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165ºF, guaranteeing food safety and preventing dry, overcooked meat.
- Rest Chicken Strategically: Allow grilled chicken to rest for several minutes, enabling juice redistribution and maintaining maximum tenderness before slicing.
- Prep Time: 15min
- Cook Time: 25min
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg