Greek Salad with Chicken and Homemade Greek Dressing
This post may contain affiliate links. See site Terms here.
Greek Salad with Chicken and Homemade Greek Dressing – delicious seared chicken with tons of veggies and a homemade Greek dressing. From the crisp cucumbers, sweet tomatoes, tangy kalamata olives, creamy feta, sharp red onions, and savory seared chicken, to the homemade lemony Greek dressing, you will love this salad! It’s fresh and filling and perfect as a main dish but also works great as a side dish.
I love a salad that has tons of fresh ingredients but still feels like a complete meal. The chicken is marinated for extra flavor before being seared until golden and juicy. The fresh veggies add crunch and sweetness, while the kalamata olives and feta bring that salty, tangy flavor that makes Greek salad something you will crave on the daily.
And the homemade Greek dressing really brings everything together! It’s bright, lemony, and full of savory flavor, complementing the chicken and fresh vegetables without overpowering them. The dressing is easy to make and gives the whole salad that fresh, homemade taste that makes such a difference.
This Greek Salad with Chicken is perfect for an easy lunch or dinner, but it’s also a great side dish to serve alongside a main dish or homemade rolls. It’s satisfying without feeling heavy, easy to customize, and a delicious way to enjoy lots of fresh vegetables in one meal.
Why You’ll Love This Greek Chicken Salad
- Fresh, flavorful ingredients. Crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, red onions, kalamata olives, and creamy feta create the perfect combo of textures and flavors.
- Marinated, seared chicken. Marinating the chicken adds extra flavor, while searing it in a hot skillet creates a delicious chicken that really adds to the layers of the salad.
- Homemade Greek dressing. The bright, lemony dressing ties everything together with fresh, savory Mediterranean-inspired flavor.
- A filling, satisfying salad. The chicken, veggies, feta, and dressing make this a filling, healthy meal that still feels fresh and light.
- Perfect as a main dish or side. Serve a big bowl for lunch or dinner, or pair smaller portions with your favorite meats and sides.
Tips for the Best Greek Chicken Salad
- Give the chicken time to marinate. This helps the flavor develop before the chicken hits the skillet.
- Let the chicken rest before slicing. A few minutes of resting helps keep the meat juicy and tender.
- Use fresh lemon juice. Freshly squeezed lemon juice gives the homemade dressing a bright, zippy flavor.
- Choose good-quality feta and olives. These ingredients contribute so much of the classic Greek salad flavor.
- Taste the dressing before serving. Adjust the acidity, herbs, and seasonings to get the balance just right.
- Dress the salad right before serving. This helps keep the vegetables crisp and fresh.
Can You Make Greek Salad Ahead of Time?
Yes! This salad is easy to prep ahead, making it a great option for weekday lunches and quick dinners. You can marinate and cook the chicken in advance, chop most of the vegetables, and prepare the dressing ahead of time. Store the ingredients separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble the salad. For the freshest texture, wait to add the dressing until just before serving.
For individual meal-prep portions, divide the chicken and vegetables into containers and keep the dressing in a separate small container. Add the dressing when you’re ready to eat for a fresh, flavorful lunch.
Greek Salad with Chicken and Homemade Greek Dressing
Ingredients
Chicken & Marinade
- 4-5 chicken breasts, pounded to about 1/2 inch thick
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 lemons, juice & zest
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh oregano, chopped finely
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- oil, for cooking
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cucumbers, chopped
- 2 cups tomatoes, chopped
- 1 red onion, diced
- 1 cup kalamata olives, chopped
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled (I like to buy a block and crumble it, but you can also buy it pre-crumbled)
Greek Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
Chicken & Marinade
- Pound chicken breasts to about 1/2 inch thick. Place in a large ziploc bag or in a container that has an airtight lid for marinating in the fridge. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the marinade ingredients (yogurt, olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, lemons, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper). Mix well.
- Pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal and refrigerate for at least 1 hour up to overnight.
- When ready to cook the chicken, bring a large pan to medium high heat.
- Once pan is very hot, add 1-2 tablespoons of oil.Use tongs to shake excess marinade off each chicken breast, and then place into the hot pan with oil.
- Sear chicken on each side for 4-5 minutes, until chicken is cooked through.
- Once cooked, remove from hot pan and set aside to rest, until ready to slice and put into the salad.(You can also make this Greek Chicken ahead of time and chill it until ready to serve on the salad.)
- Before serving, slice the chicken and if needed, add a little finishing salt to taste.
Greek Dressing
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl with a whisk or in a jar (and shake well). Once combined, chill until ready to serve the salad.
- This dressing keeps well for up to 2 weeks in the fridge.
Building the Salad
- Salad can be made with the chopped chicken when it is warm or even tastes great when it has chilled in the fridge.
- To build the salad, Add the chopped veggies, kalamatta olives, chicken, and feta to a large bowl.
- Pour the dressing over and cover well. Toss to combine.
- Serve immediately!
- Stores well for 3-4 days in the fridge, in an airtight container.
A Fresh, Flavorful Salad You’ll Want to Make on Repeat
This Greek Salad with Seared Chicken and Homemade Greek Dressing is one of those recipes that proves a salad can be both healthy and satisfying. Between the crisp cucumbers, sweet tomatoes, tangy kalamata olives, creamy feta, sharp red onions, and savory marinated and seared chicken, there’s plenty of flavor and texture in every bite.
The homemade lemony Greek dressing ties everything together and makes the whole salad taste bright, fresh, and delicious. Serve it as a main dish for lunch or dinner, or make it a side dish for your favorite grilled meals.
It’s easy to prepare, full of fresh ingredients, and perfect for keeping in your regular meal rotation. I think you’ll love this one. Be sure to tag me if you make it!
