Grilled Chicken Salad with Greek Blue Cheese Dressing

📝 Description:

This Grilled Chicken Salad is a wholesome and vibrant dish combining juicy, marinated grilled chicken breast with fresh greens, crisp veggies, and a tangy Greek yogurt-based blue cheese dressing. It’s a healthy yet indulgent meal that balances rich flavors with light, clean ingredients — perfect for summer eating or light dinners.

🌍 Origin:

A modern fusion of American-style blue cheese salad dressing with Mediterranean Greek yogurt elements, this salad highlights the freshness of seasonal vegetables and the depth of grilled chicken and blue cheese.

🧾 Ingredients (Quantities):

For the grilled chicken:

Chicken breasts – 2 large (about 400–450g total)
Olive oil – 2 tbsp
Lemon juice – 1 tbsp
Garlic – 2 cloves, minced
Dried oregano – 1 tsp
Salt – ½ tsp
Black pepper – ½ tsp

For the salad:

Mixed salad greens – 4 cups (lettuce, arugula, spinach)
Cherry tomatoes – 1 cup, halved
Cucumber – 1, sliced
Red onion – ¼, thinly sliced
Avocado – 1, sliced
Crumbled blue cheese – ⅓ cup
Walnuts or pecans – ¼ cup (optional, toasted)

For the Greek blue cheese dressing:

Greek yogurt (plain, full-fat or low-fat) – ½ cup
Mayonnaise – 2 tbsp (optional for richness)
Crumbled blue cheese – ¼ cup
Lemon juice – 1 tbsp
Apple cider vinegar – 1 tsp
Garlic powder – ¼ tsp
Salt – to taste
Black pepper – to taste
Water or milk – 1–2 tbsp (to thin if needed)

🧂 Optional Ingredients:

Hard-boiled egg slices
Olives (Kalamata or green)
Croutons or grilled pita strips
Chopped fresh herbs (dill, parsley, or mint)
Sliced grilled peaches (for sweetness)

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Marinate and grill the chicken:

In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Pound chicken breasts slightly for even cooking and marinate for at least 20–30 minutes (or up to 2 hours in the fridge).
Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high.
Grill chicken for 5–6 minutes per side, or until fully cooked (internal temp: 75°C/165°F).
Let rest 5 minutes, then slice thinly.

2. Make the Greek blue cheese dressing:

In a bowl, mix Greek yogurt, mayo (if using), blue cheese, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Mash the blue cheese slightly into the yogurt for texture.
Add water/milk as needed to thin to dressing consistency. Chill until serving.

3. Assemble the salad:

In a large bowl or platter, arrange the salad greens.
Top with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, avocado, nuts, and sliced grilled chicken.
Sprinkle with extra blue cheese crumbles.
Drizzle with Greek blue cheese dressing or serve on the side.

✅ Tips for Success:

Use room-temperature chicken before grilling for even cooking.
Chill your dressing for at least 15 minutes to enhance flavor.
Grill extra chicken to use for wraps or sandwiches later.
Toast nuts lightly to bring out their natural oils and flavor.

💡 Recommendations:

Serve with a lemon wedge or drizzle of balsamic glaze for extra brightness.
Great with a side of whole grain bread, grilled corn, or chilled gazpacho.
For a lighter meal, skip the avocado or nuts — or double them for a heartier bowl.
Make it a meal prep option by keeping dressing separate until serving.