Vegetarian Garden Salad with Grilled Chicken

Elevate your weeknight dinners or lunchtime cravings with this vibrant Vegetarian Garden Salad with Grilled Chicken. Packed with fresh, crisp mixed greens, juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumber, and sweet red bell pepper, this colorful dish celebrates the best of seasonal vegetables. Topped with tangy crumbled feta cheese, briny black olives, and a drizzle of homemade balsamic vinaigrette, every bite is loaded with flavor. The fresh basil garnish adds a delightful herbal kick, while the optional addition of grilled chicken makes it a protein-packed, satisfying meal. Ready in just 20 minutes, this easy, wholesome salad is perfect for clean eating, gluten-free diets, or anyone seeking a nutrient-rich meal. Whether enjoyed as a main course or a side dish, this Mediterranean-inspired recipe will quickly become a favorite in your rotation.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 6 cups mixed salad greens
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium cucumber
• 1 medium red bell pepper
• 1 large carrot
• 0.5 medium red onion
• 0.5 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 0.25 cup black olives, sliced
• 0.25 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 0.5 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Wash and dry the mixed salad greens, then place them in a large salad bowl.

Step 2

Halve the cherry tomatoes. Peel the cucumber if desired, then slice it into thin rounds. Deseed and thinly slice the red bell pepper. Peel and grate the carrot. Thinly slice the red onion. Add all these vegetables to the salad bowl with the greens.

Step 3

Add the crumbled feta cheese and sliced black olives on top of the salad.

Step 4

In a small mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, honey, and Dijon mustard. Whisk together until the dressing is emulsified.

Step 5

Season the dressing with salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste.

Step 6

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to ensure all ingredients are well coated.

Step 7

Sprinkle freshly chopped basil leaves over the salad as a garnish.

Step 8

Serve the salad immediately or store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours before serving for optimal freshness.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1119.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1140.7

Total Fat 94.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 27.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
Cholesterol 100mg	0%
Sodium 3116.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 59.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.5g	0%
Total Sugars 31.5g
Protein 25.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 760.8mg	0%
Iron 6.8mg	0%
Potassium 1937.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 71.3%

Protein: 8.7%

Carbs: 20.0%