Description
Mexican-inspired grilled chicken & avocado salad bowl delivers fresh flavors and nutritious ingredients. Crisp greens, tender chicken, and creamy avocado create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 6 cups mixed salad greens (romaine, arugula, or spring mix)
- 3 tbsps olive oil (for dressing)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for chicken)
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cucumber, sliced
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
- 2 tbsps chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp honey
- ½ lemon, juiced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: toasted nuts or seeds for crunch
Instructions
- Marinade Preparation: Blend olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, lemon juice, and seasonings to create a robust flavor infusion, thoroughly coating chicken pieces and allowing to marinate for enhanced taste profile.
- Grilling Process: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium heat, carefully position marinated chicken to achieve golden char marks, rotating once to ensure even cooking and maintaining juicy interior.
- Salad Foundation: Construct a vibrant base of mixed greens in serving bowls, creating a fresh canvas for remaining ingredients.
- Protein and Vegetable Assembly: Slice rested grilled chicken into uniform strips, then strategically layer atop greens. Incorporate avocado wedges, cherry tomatoes, cucumber rounds, red onion slivers, and optional feta cheese for textural complexity.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, and seasonings until achieving a silky, emulsified consistency that will complement the salad’s ingredients.
- Final Touches: Sprinkle fresh herbs for aromatic depth, drizzle prepared dressing moments before serving to preserve ingredient integrity, and present a chilled, nutrient-dense culinary composition.
Notes
- Marinate Methodically: Allow chicken to absorb marinade for at least 30 minutes, preferably 2 hours, to maximize flavor penetration and tenderize meat effectively.
- Grill with Precision: Maintain medium heat to prevent burning; use meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature for safe consumption.
- Balance Dressing Delicately: Whisk dressing ingredients thoroughly to create smooth emulsion, adjusting seasoning to personal taste and preventing oil separation.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap feta with plant-based cheese for vegan option, use gluten-free mustard, and replace honey with maple syrup for diverse dietary requirements.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg