Bruschetta Chicken Salad (Printable version)

Fresh grilled chicken paired with a zesty tomato-basil topping over crisp mixed greens. Light and summery.

# 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

# Step-by-step guide:

01 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
02 - Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, Italian herbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
03 - Place chicken on preheated grill and cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
04 - While chicken grills, combine diced tomatoes, red onion, basil, extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Toss gently and allow to sit for 10 minutes to permit flavors to meld.
05 - Arrange mixed salad greens on a large platter or individual plates, creating an even foundation.
06 - Arrange sliced chicken over the greens and spoon bruschetta topping generously over chicken. Sprinkle with shaved Parmesan if desired.
07 - Present immediately with lemon wedges on the side for garnish and flavor enhancement.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • The warm grilled chicken against cool crisp greens creates such a satisfying contrast that you will forget you are eating something so light
  • Leftovers actually taste better the next day once the bruschetta mixture has marinated into everything
02 -
  • Letting the chicken rest before slicing keeps all the juices inside instead of running onto your cutting board
  • The bruschetta mixture needs those 10 minutes to transform from chopped ingredients into something cohesive
03 -
  • Pound the chicken breasts to even thickness so they cook at the same rate
  • Cherry or grape tomatoes work beautifully in the bruschetta mixture when larger tomatoes are out of season
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