Bruschetta Chicken Salad (Print)

Juicy grilled chicken with fresh tomato-basil topping served over crisp mixed greens. A light and vibrant Italian-American dish.

# Components:

→ 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
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
16 - 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese, optional
17 - Lemon wedges for serving

# Directions:

01 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
02 - Rub chicken breasts evenly with olive oil, dried Italian herbs, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper on both sides.
03 - Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove from heat and rest for 5 minutes, then slice 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 let sit for 10 minutes to meld flavors.
05 - Arrange mixed salad greens on a large platter or individual plates. Layer sliced chicken over the greens.
06 - Spoon bruschetta topping generously over the chicken. Sprinkle with shaved Parmesan cheese if using. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in half an hour but tastes like you spent all afternoon in the kitchen.
  • The bruschetta topping does double duty as both marinade and dressing, which means fewer dishes and bolder flavor.
  • Leftovers actually get better overnight as the tomatoes soak into the chicken.
02 -
  • Letting the chicken rest after grilling is not optional, if you slice it too soon, all the juices run out and you end up with dry meat.
  • Dont skip letting the bruschetta topping sit, those 10 minutes transform it from chopped vegetables into a cohesive, flavorful mixture.
  • If your grill is too hot, the outside of the chicken will char before the inside cooks through, medium high is the sweet spot.
03 -
  • Marinating the chicken for up to 2 hours before grilling deepens the flavor, but even 15 minutes makes a difference.
  • Always taste the bruschetta topping before serving and adjust the salt and vinegar, tomatoes vary in sweetness and acidity.
  • For perfect grill marks, resist the urge to move the chicken around, let it sit and develop a crust before flipping.
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