Creamy Grilled Chicken Salad (High-Protein)

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Ingredients (Serves 2–3)

For the Chicken

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (~1 lb / 450 g)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp paprika

For the Salad

  • 4 cups mixed greens (lettuce, spinach, arugula)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cucumber, sliced
  • ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup shredded carrots
  • ½ cup cooked chickpeas (optional, for extra protein)
  • 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced (optional, for extra protein)

For the Creamy Dressing

  • 3 tbsp Greek yogurt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Grill the Chicken

  1. Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
  2. Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
  3. Grill 6–7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Let rest 5 minutes, then slice.

2. Prepare the Salad

  • In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, shredded carrots, and chickpeas.

3. Make the Dressing

  • Whisk together Greek yogurt, olive oil, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth.

4. Assemble

  • Top the salad with sliced grilled chicken and hard-boiled eggs if using.
  • Drizzle dressing over the salad and toss gently. Garnish with extra herbs like parsley or chives if desired.

High-Protein Tips

  • Protein content: One chicken breast ~30 g protein; add eggs (~12 g per 2 eggs) and chickpeas (~7 g per ½ cup) to easily reach 40–50 g protein per serving.
  • Extra boost: Sprinkle 2 tbsp shredded cheese or a handful of toasted nuts for additional protein and flavor.
  • Meal prep: Store chicken and dressing separately from greens to keep the salad fresh for up to 2 days.

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