10+ Chicken Recipes for Salads Dinners That Everyone Will Love

Salads can be much more than just a side dish. Chicken recipes for salad dinners offer a tasty and healthy way to create satisfying meals that everyone will love. Whether you want something light or filling, adding chicken to your salads makes them a great choice for dinner.

These recipes not only provide protein but also bring flavor and variety to your table. With the right ingredients and approach, you can turn simple salads into delicious dinner options that are easy to prepare and enjoy.

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

A Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad is a tasty and satisfying choice for dinner. Start with fresh romaine lettuce, crispy croutons, juicy grilled chicken, and tangy Parmesan cheese. The homemade Caesar dressing adds a delicious touch.

To make this salad, you’ll want to marinate your chicken. Mix olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice, then let the chicken soak for a few hours. This enhances the flavor and tenderness.

After marinating, grill the chicken over medium-high heat for about 6-8 minutes on each side, or until it reaches 170°F (about 77°C). Once done, slice the chicken and toss it on your salad. Drizzle with the Caesar dressing and sprinkle with more cheese, if you like.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1/2 cup croutons
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Caesar dressing

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate chicken in olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice for 2-8 hours.
2. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
3. Grill chicken for 6-8 minutes on each side until it reaches 170°F (77°C).
4. Slice the grilled chicken.
5. Assemble the salad with lettuce, croutons, chicken, and Parmesan.
6. Drizzle with Caesar dressing and serve.

BBQ Chicken Salad with Tangy Dressing

BBQ Chicken Salad is a delicious way to enjoy grilled chicken in a fresh and lively dish. You can use grilled or rotisserie chicken for convenience. Pair it with crunchy veggies and a tangy dressing to make it special.

For the dressing, combine mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of BBQ sauce. This will give your salad a creamy and zesty flavor. Toss in some fresh chives or cilantro for added brightness.

Serve the salad over a bed of greens, like romaine or spinach. You can also add crunchy elements like tortilla strips or Fritos for texture. This salad can be a great main dish or a tasty side.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 4 cups mixed salad greens
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup corn, drained
• 1/2 cup black beans, rinsed
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup chopped chives or cilantro
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Grill or shred the chicken.
2. In a bowl, mix BBQ sauce, mayonnaise, and vinegar.
3. In a large bowl, combine salad greens, chicken, tomatoes, corn, and beans.
4. Drizzle with the dressing and toss to coat.
5. Top with chives or cilantro before serving.

3) Spicy Buffalo Chicken Salad

A Spicy Buffalo Chicken Salad is a great choice for a flavorful meal. You can enjoy it as a quick dinner or a tasty lunch. The key ingredients make this dish exciting and satisfying.

To start, you’ll need cooked shredded chicken mixed with spicy buffalo sauce. This gives the salad its signature kick. You can also add crunchy celery and green onions for extra flavor.

For the dressing, consider using Greek yogurt to keep it creamy but lighter. Mixing in ranch dressing can add a nice balance to the heat from the buffalo sauce.

This salad is perfect on its own, but you can also serve it in a wrap or on a bed of greens.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
• 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup ranch dressing
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1/4 cup sliced green onions

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine shredded chicken and buffalo sauce.
2. In another bowl, mix Greek yogurt and ranch dressing.
3. Add diced celery and sliced green onions to the chicken mixture.
4. Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well.

4) Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Salad

Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Salad is a tasty and filling meal. It combines grilled chicken, fluffy quinoa, and plenty of fresh vegetables. You’ll love the mix of flavors and textures.

For this salad, use ingredients like Kalamata olives, spinach, and feta cheese for a delicious twist. Adding a balsamic vinaigrette dressing makes it even better.

This dish is also perfect for meal prep. You can make a large batch and enjoy it throughout the week. It’s great for lunches, dinner, or potlucks with friends.

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 pound grilled chicken, sliced
• 1 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
• ¼ cup balsamic vinaigrette

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the quinoa under cold water.
2. Cook quinoa according to package instructions (about 15 minutes).
3. In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, chicken, olives, spinach, tomatoes, and feta.
4. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette and toss to mix. Enjoy!

5) Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad

Cilantro lime chicken salad is a fresh and tasty choice for your meal. It combines tender chicken with zesty flavors, making it both healthy and satisfying.

You can use shredded or diced chicken, mixed with a vibrant dressing of lime juice and chopped cilantro. This salad is also great with crunchy veggies like bell peppers and cucumbers.

Feel free to add avocado for creaminess and nutrition. You can serve it on a bed of greens, in a wrap, or even in halved avocados for a fun twist.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
• 1/4 cup cilantro (chopped)
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1 cup bell peppers (diced)
• 1 cup cucumber (diced)
• 1 avocado (sliced)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine the cooked chicken and lime juice.
2. Add chopped cilantro, bell peppers, and cucumber.
3. Mix well and add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Serve over greens or in a wrap.
5. Top with sliced avocado.

6) Thai Peanut Chicken Salad

Thai peanut chicken salad is a tasty dish that combines fresh ingredients and rich flavors. You’ll love how simple it is to prepare.

Start with cooked chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces. You can pan-sear or grill it for added flavor.

Next, mix in crunchy vegetables like shredded cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers. These add texture and freshness.

For the dressing, whisk together creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, and a hint of honey. This will create a deliciously tangy and sweet flavor.

Toss everything together and serve it on a bed of greens for a vibrant meal. You can even add some crushed peanuts on top for an extra crunch.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup bell peppers, sliced
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/4 cup crushed peanuts (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook your chicken using your preferred method and dice it into pieces.
2. In a bowl, mix shredded cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers.
3. In another bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, and honey.
4. Combine the chicken and vegetables, then pour the dressing over and toss well.
5. Serve on greens and top with crushed peanuts if desired.

7) Lemon Herb Chicken Salad

Lemon Herb Chicken Salad is a refreshing option for lunch or dinner. It combines tender grilled chicken with bright flavors of lemon and fresh herbs. This dish is easy to prepare and is perfect for a light meal.

Start by marinating the chicken in lemon juice, olive oil, and your favorite herbs. Grill the chicken until it’s cooked through. Once cooked, chop it into bite-sized pieces.

Next, mix the chicken with crisp lettuce, diced cucumbers, and tomatoes. For added flavor, you can include ingredients like red onion and avocado. A yogurt-based dressing with a hint of Dijon mustard adds creaminess without being too heavy.

This salad is not only tasty but also nutritious. It keeps well for meal prep and is great to enjoy throughout the week.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 cups mixed salad greens
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 tomato, diced

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate chicken in olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper for 30 minutes.
2. Preheat the grill to 375°F (190°C).
3. Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side until fully cooked.
4. Let the chicken cool, then chop into pieces.
5. Toss the chicken with salad greens, cucumber, and tomato.
6. Serve with dressing of choice.

8) Honey Mustard Chicken Avocado Salad

This Honey Mustard Chicken Avocado Salad is a delicious choice for a light dinner. It combines juicy chicken, fresh greens, creamy avocado, and a tangy honey mustard dressing.

Start by cooking seasoned chicken until it’s golden brown and cooked through. Then slice it into bite-sized pieces.

Next, toss together your favorite salad greens, diced avocado, and any additional toppings you enjoy, like cherry tomatoes or crispy bacon.

Drizzle the homemade honey mustard dressing over the salad and mix everything gently. You’ll love how the flavors come together in this refreshing meal!

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 cups mixed salad greens
• 1 avocado, diced
• ½ cup cooked bacon, chopped (optional)
• Homemade honey mustard dressing

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
2. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
3. Cook chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side until fully cooked.
4. Let the chicken cool, then slice it.
5. In a large bowl, combine greens, avocado, and bacon if using.
6. Add the chicken and drizzle with dressing. Toss gently to combine.

9) Caprese Chicken Salad

Caprese Chicken Salad is a delightful blend of flavors and textures. You can enjoy this meal for lunch or dinner. It’s healthy and easy to make.

Start with fresh ingredients like ripe tomatoes, crisp basil, and creamy mozzarella. Add grilled or baked chicken for protein. A drizzle of balsamic glaze ties everything together.

You can serve this salad on a bed of greens or alongside crusty bread. It’s perfect for warm days or when you want something light.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 3 tablespoons balsamic glaze
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for cooking

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your grill or skillet to medium-high heat (about 375°F or 190°C).
2. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and olive oil.
3. Cook chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side until fully cooked.
4. Slice the chicken into strips.
5. In a bowl, combine tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and chicken.
6. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and mix gently. Serve immediately.

10) Curry Chicken Salad

Curry chicken salad is a tasty and easy dish to make. You can enjoy it for lunch or as a light dinner. The combination of chicken, curry, and crunchy veggies creates a delightful flavor.

For this salad, you will mix cooked chicken with creamy mayonnaise. Add chopped celery for a crunchy texture. The curry powder gives it a warm, spicy kick. You can also throw in some raisins or apples for sweetness.

This dish is perfect for serving at gatherings or a quick family meal. It’s simple to prepare and can be made in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup celery, chopped
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1/3 cup raisins or diced apples (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine the shredded chicken and mayonnaise in a bowl.
2. Then, add chopped celery and curry powder. Mix well.
3. If you like, add raisins or diced apples for sweetness.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve chilled or at room temperature.