Bruschetta Chicken Salad (Printer-friendly)

Juicy grilled chicken paired with fresh tomato-basil topping over crisp greens. Light, vibrant, and ready in 35 minutes.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Bruschetta Topping

07 - 2 cups ripe tomatoes, diced (about 4 medium tomatoes)
08 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
09 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
10 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
12 - 1 clove garlic, minced
13 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
14 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Salad

15 - 6 cups mixed salad greens (romaine, arugula, or spring mix)
16 - 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese (optional)
17 - Lemon wedges for serving

# Directions:

01 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
02 - Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, Italian herbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, ensuring even coverage on both sides.
03 - Grill chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove from heat and rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - Combine tomatoes, red onion, basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Toss gently and let sit for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
05 - Arrange mixed salad greens on a large platter or individual plates. Lay sliced chicken over the greens.
06 - Spoon bruschetta topping generously over the chicken. Sprinkle with shaved Parmesan if using.
07 - Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The bruschetta mixture doubles as a dipping sauce for crusty bread if you want to stretch the meal
  • Leftovers actually taste better the next day once the tomatoes have marinated in the dressing
02 -
  • The resting period for the chicken is non negotiable cutting it immediately will let all those juices run onto your cutting board instead of staying in the meat
  • Let the bruschetta sit for at least ten minutes even if you are in a rush because the acid needs time to draw out the tomato flavors
03 -
  • Use room temperature tomatoes for the bruschetta cold tomatoes straight from the fridge will not release as much flavor
  • Season your greens lightly with salt and pepper before adding the toppings otherwise the bottom layer can taste bland
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