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–+ servings
chicken salad in a bowl | cookingwithcassandra.com

Mediterranean Chicken Salad Recipe

This Mediterranean chicken salad is a great appetizer that’s healthy and inviting! Make it ahead of time, ready to go on your busiest days.  
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients

Marinade/Dressing:

  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1½ lemons, juiced + zest from 1 of the lemons
  • 2 tablespoons juice from the jar of kalamata olives
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • ¼ cup red wine vinegar
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup fresh flat leaf italian parsley, finely chopped
  • 4 teaspoons dried basil
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons each of salt + pepper

Salad:

  • 6 cups romaine lettuce leaves, washed and dried
  • 4 Persian cucumber, diced
  • 3 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup pitted Kalamata olives, sliced
  • 2 avocados, sliced
  • ¾ cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • lemon wedges, to serve

Instructions

  • Whisk together all of the marinade + dressing ingredients in a medium bowl.
  • Pour out half of the marinade into a large, shallow dish, bowl or freezer bag. Refrigerate the remaining half to use over the salad; make sure it doesn’t touch the raw meat.
  • Add the chicken to the marinade in the bowl; marinade chicken for a minimum 30 minutes or up to overnight in the refrigerator. Pro Tip: For most flavourful chicken, marinate for at least 24 hours.
  • While waiting for the chicken, prepare all of the salad ingredients minus the avocado and feta. Mix in a large salad bowl.
  • Preheat a grill or grill pan and heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium- high heat. Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Cook chicken until lightly charred and the thickest part reaches 165°F internal temperature, 5-6 minutes per side. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
  • Remove dressing from the refrigerator and whisk again before adding to the salad.
  • Drizzle salad with the remaining untouched dressing. Start by drizzling some dressing all over the salad and toss gently to combine. Always remember the golden rule: You can always add more! Start with a little bit of dressing/ vinaigrette and add more if necessary. You don't want a soggy salad!
  • Slice and arrange chicken, avocado and feta cheese over salad. Serve with lemon wedges.