Lemon Herb Mediterranean Chicken Salad
If you love big flavors with minimal effort, this Lemon Herb Mediterranean Chicken Salad is about to become your go-to! Think juicy, herb-marinated chicken, crisp fresh veggies, creamy avocado, and a zesty lemon dressing that doubles as a marinade—all in just 25 minutes. Whether you’re meal prepping, craving something fresh, or just want a healthy, restaurant-quality meal at home, this salad delivers on flavor, texture, and satisfaction. Bonus? It’s naturally low-carb, packed with protein, and bursting with Mediterranean goodness. Let’s get cooking!
Lemon Herb Mediterranean Chicken Salad
A vibrant Mediterranean-inspired chicken salad packed with fresh flavors, featuring a zesty lemon herb dressing that doubles as a marinade.
Ingredients
For the Marinade/Dressing:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 2 tbsp water
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tsp dried basil
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
For the Salad:
- 4 cups Romaine or Cos lettuce, washed and dried
- 1 large cucumber, diced
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, sliced
- ⅓ cup pitted Kalamata or black olives, sliced (optional)
- 2 lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade/Dressing: In a large bowl or jar, whisk together all marinade ingredients. Set aside half of the mixture in the refrigerator for later use as the dressing.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place chicken in the remaining marinade and let sit for 15-30 minutes (or up to 2 hours in the fridge for deeper flavor).
- Prepare the Salad: While the chicken marinates, assemble the salad ingredients in a large bowl.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Rest & Slice: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Assemble & Serve: Arrange sliced chicken over the salad. Drizzle with the reserved dressing and serve with lemon wedges.
- Optional: Sprinkle with ½ cup crumbled feta for extra flavor!
