Looking for a fresh, nutritious dish that brings bold flavors and satisfying textures? This Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Tenderloin and Avocado Salad is a perfect choice! Packed with fresh greens, creamy avocado, and tender grilled chicken, this salad is an ideal balance of health, taste, and ease. Let’s dive into what makes this salad a go-to for any meal.
Why You’ll Love This Mediterranean Salad
Mediterranean cuisine is celebrated for its heart-healthy ingredients and vibrant flavors. This salad is no exception, combining juicy grilled chicken, fresh greens, ripe avocado, and a variety of other nutrient-dense ingredients for a nourishing, delicious meal. The mix of flavors—from creamy feta to briny Kalamata olives—comes together beautifully with a simple lemon-oregano dressing that’s refreshing and tangy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Salad:
- Mixed greens (such as romaine, spinach, and arugula): 4 cups
- Grilled chicken tenderloin: 1, sliced into strips
- Ripe avocado: 1, sliced for creamy richness
- Cherry tomatoes: 1 cup, halved for juicy bursts of flavor
- Cucumber: 1, thinly sliced for crunch
- Hard-boiled eggs: 2, quartered to add protein and texture
- Feta cheese: 1/4 cup, crumbled for a tangy touch
- Kalamata olives: 1/4 cup, pitted and halved
- Fresh parsley: Chopped, for garnish
For the Dressing:
- Extra virgin olive oil: 3 tablespoons
- Lemon juice: 2 tablespoons, for a bright, citrusy taste
- Garlic: 1 clove, minced for flavor
- Salt and pepper: To taste
- Dried oregano: 1 teaspoon, for a classic Mediterranean touch
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Grill the Chicken Tenderloin
Preheat your grill to medium heat. Season the chicken tenderloin with salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of dried oregano. Grill for about 6-7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked. Once done, let it rest before slicing into strips.
2. Prepare the Salad Ingredients
Start by washing and drying your greens. Then, slice the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, and slice the avocado. Boil the eggs, cool them down, peel, and quarter them for easy eating.
3. Make the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano until everything is combined. This lemon-oregano dressing adds just the right amount of tanginess to the salad.
4. Assemble the Salad
In a large salad bowl or on a serving platter, layer your mixed greens as the base. Arrange the grilled chicken slices, avocado, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, hard-boiled eggs, feta cheese, and olives over the greens.
5. Garnish and Serve
Drizzle the salad with the lemon-oregano dressing, and top it all off with a sprinkle of fresh parsley. For a final Mediterranean touch, consider adding a sprinkle of sumac or zaatar, or serve it with warm pita bread for a more filling meal.
Tips for Extra Flavor
- Add Sumac or Zaatar: For a hint of Middle Eastern flavor, sprinkle some sumac or zaatar over the salad just before serving.
- Include Toasted Pine Nuts: Pine nuts add a nutty crunch that pairs wonderfully with the other flavors.
- Serve with Pita Bread: Warm pita on the side can make this dish even more satisfying.
Nutritional Benefits of This Salad
This Mediterranean-inspired salad is more than just a beautiful dish—it’s loaded with nutrients. The grilled chicken and eggs provide protein, while the avocado adds healthy fats. Fresh greens, tomatoes, and cucumbers contribute a range of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Feta and olives bring in calcium and beneficial fats, making this salad as nourishing as it is flavorful.
Perfect for Any Meal
Whether you’re preparing a light lunch, a quick dinner, or a show-stopping brunch dish, this Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Tenderloin and Avocado Salad fits the bill. It’s easy to make, full of nutritious ingredients, and delivers a satisfying crunch and creaminess in every bite.
In Conclusion
With its mix of fresh greens, protein-packed chicken, creamy avocado, and savory toppings, this Mediterranean salad is a fantastic way to enjoy a delicious, balanced meal. Simple to prepare yet full of complex flavors, it’s bound to become a staple in your meal rotation. Enjoy this taste of the Mediterranean in your own kitchen!
Print
Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Tenderloin and Avocado Salad
Description
This Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Tenderloin and Avocado Salad is a vibrant and nourishing dish that’s perfect for any meal. It features fresh greens, juicy grilled chicken tenderloin, and creamy avocado, coming together to create a delightful and healthy salad.
Ingredients
4 cups mixed greens such as romaine, spinach, and arugula
1 grilled chicken tenderloin, sliced
1 ripe avocado, sliced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cucumber, sliced
2 hard-boiled eggs, quartered
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
For the Dressing:
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
Grill the Chicken Tenderloin:
Preheat your grill to medium heat.
Season the chicken tenderloin with salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of dried oregano.
Grill the chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked. Let it rest before slicing.
Prepare the Salad Ingredients:
Wash and dry the mixed greens.
Halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the cucumber, and slice the avocado.
Boil the eggs, cool, peel, and quarter them.
Make the Dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and dried oregano until well combined.
Assemble the Salad:
In a large salad bowl or on a serving platter, arrange the mixed greens as the base.
Top with the grilled chicken slices, avocado, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, hard-boiled eggs, feta cheese, and Kalamata olives.
Drizzle the salad with the lemon-oregano dressing.
Garnish and Serve:
Garnish the salad with chopped fresh parsley.
Serve immediately and enjoy this flavorful and wholesome dish!
Tips:
For added flavor, sprinkle some sumac or zaatar over the salad before serving.
Serve with warm pita bread or a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts for extra texture.