Lemon Herb Chicken Salad

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 30 min
🍽 Serves: 4
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Are you in the mood for something light yet satisfying? This Lemon Herb Chicken Salad is your go-to for a fresh, vibrant meal. Packed with flavor and easy to make, it's perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a sunny picnic.

Ingredients for Lemon Herb Chicken Salad

The star of the show is the chicken breasts, which are light and take on flavor beautifully. Olive oil provides a healthy fat base for our marinade, while lemon juice and lemon zest add a zesty brightness that lifts the entire dish. A sprinkle of salt and black pepper enhances the taste, and garlic powder gives a subtle depth. For the salad, cherry tomatoes add sweetness, red onion brings a bit of bite, and cucumber offers a refreshing crunch. Fresh herbs like parsley and dill infuse the salad with aromatic notes, and a touch of feta cheese adds a creamy, tangy finish.

Tips & Tricks

  • For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the fridge for an hour before baking.
  • If you’re short on time, use a rotisserie chicken and toss it with the dressing and salad ingredients.
  • To prevent the salad from becoming soggy, add the dressing just before serving if making it ahead.

Serving Suggestions

This Lemon Herb Chicken Salad pairs beautifully with a crusty loaf of bread or some homemade pita chips. For a refreshing drink, try serving it with a chilled white wine or a sparkling lemonade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs will add a bit more richness to the dish.
How long will this salad last in the fridge?
It should keep well for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
Can I add more vegetables?
Of course! Bell peppers or avocado would be great additions.

Lemon Herb Chicken Salad Recipe Walkthrough

First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This gives us just the right temperature to bake the chicken while keeping it juicy. Now, grab a bowl and whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until they're well combined. This will be our marinade.

Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish and pour the lemon herb mixture over them, making sure they're well coated. Pop them into the oven and let them bake for about 25-30 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the juices run clear. Once cooked, let them cool slightly before slicing them into strips.

While the chicken is baking, you can prepare the salad. In a large bowl, toss together the cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, parsley, dill, and feta cheese. These ingredients come together to create a fresh, flavorful base for the chicken.

Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, slice it into strips and add it to the salad. Toss everything together gently to combine, making sure the chicken is well distributed throughout the salad.

And there you have it! You can serve this salad right away for a warm dish or pop it in the fridge to chill for later.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy to prepare — ready in under an hour.
  • Packed with zesty flavors and fresh herbs.
  • Versatile enough to serve warm or cold.
  • Healthy and full of protein without being heavy.

Ingredients

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tbsp lemon zest
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup cucumber, diced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
3. Place chicken breasts in a baking dish and pour the lemon herb mixture over them.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and juices run clear.
5. Allow the chicken to cool slightly, then slice into strips.
6. In a large bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, parsley, dill, and feta cheese.
7. Add the sliced chicken to the salad and toss to combine.
8. Serve immediately or refrigerate for later.

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