Bruschetta Chicken Salad (Printable)

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

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
02 - Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, Italian herbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
03 - Grill chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove from heat and rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - Combine tomatoes, red onion, basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Toss gently and let sit for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
05 - Arrange salad greens on a large platter or individual plates. Lay sliced chicken over the greens.
06 - Spoon the bruschetta topping generously over the chicken. Sprinkle with shaved Parmesan if using.
07 - Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything comes together in under 40 minutes with zero complicated techniques
  • The tomato-basil mixture tastes like Italian summer, bright and alive in every bite
  • You get that restaurant quality dinner without turning on your oven or heating up the kitchen
02 -
  • Overcooked chicken is the enemy. Pull it off the grill at 160 degrees and the carryover heat will finish the job perfectly.
  • The bruschetta needs time to hang out. Those 10 minutes of sitting let the tomatoes release their juices and create their own dressing.
  • Assemble right before serving or the greens will wilt under the weight of that juicy topping.
03 -
  • Pat your chicken dry with paper towels before seasoning. The spices stick better and you get more golden brown color.
  • Use a serrated knife to dice tomatoes. It cuts through the skin without squishing the delicate flesh inside.
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