Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 4 small)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (juice of 1 lemon)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Salad Base:
- 1 large cucumber, diced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved (or 3 medium Roma tomatoes, diced)
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 bell pepper (red, yellow, or orange), diced
- ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
For the Greek Dressing:
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional, for emulsification)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
1: Prepare the Marinade
- In a bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Whisk until well blended.
- Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring it is evenly coated.
- Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, but ideally 1–2 hours for the best flavor.
2: Cook the Chicken
Grilling:
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it on the grill. Cook for 6–8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
Baking:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Place the marinated chicken breasts on the baking sheet and bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until fully cooked.
- Let the chicken rest before slicing.
Pan-Searing:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the chicken breasts for 5–7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature is 165°F.
3: Prepare the Salad Base
- While the chicken cooks, dice the cucumber, tomatoes, and bell pepper into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the red onion and chop the parsley.
- Combine all the vegetables in a large salad bowl. Add the Kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese.
4: Make the Greek Dressing
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, oregano, minced garlic, and Dijon mustard (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Shake or whisk until the dressing is emulsified.
5: Assemble the Salad
- Add the sliced grilled (or baked/pan-seared) chicken to the salad bowl on top of the vegetables.
- Drizzle the Greek dressing evenly over the salad. Toss gently to combine all the ingredients, ensuring the dressing coats everything.
6: Garnish and Serve
- Garnish the salad with extra parsley, a sprinkle of feta cheese, and a few lemon wedges for presentation.
- Serve immediately with warm pita bread or enjoy on its own as a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling (or Baking/Pan-Searing)
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 2 cups)
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg