Description
Sensational baked marinated chicken salad brings Mediterranean flavors to your dinner table. Crisp greens combine with tender chicken, creating a light yet satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
Vegetables and Greens:
- 4 cups mixed salad greens (spinach, arugula, romaine)
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, sliced
Cheese:
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- Combine marinade ingredients in a mixing bowl, thoroughly whisking to create a uniform liquid. Transfer chicken into a sealable container, completely coat with marinade, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 4 hours for optimal flavor absorption.
- Heat oven to 375F. Position marinated chicken on a lined baking sheet, ensuring pieces are not overlapping. Roast for 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165F, guaranteeing thorough cooking. Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing to retain moisture.
- During chicken’s cooking time, prepare salad base by layering crisp greens as a foundation. Add diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and creamy avocado chunks for textural variety.
- Craft dressing by blending ingredients in a compact bowl, whisking until smooth and well-integrated. Ensure consistent texture by mixing thoroughly.
- Arrange sliced, warm chicken atop prepared salad. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese for tangy richness. Drizzle dressing evenly across the salad, ensuring balanced flavor distribution. Serve immediately to maintain freshness and temperature.
Notes
- Marinate chicken longer for deeper flavor infusion, up to 8 hours maximum to prevent texture breakdown.
- Pat chicken dry before baking to ensure crispy exterior and prevent steaming instead of roasting.
- Adjust marinade salt levels carefully to prevent over-seasoning, using low-sodium soy sauce or reducing added salt.
- For gluten-free version, replace soy sauce with tamari and verify all marinade ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg