Bruschetta Chicken Salad (Printable)

Juicy grilled chicken paired with fresh tomato-basil topping and crisp greens. A light, vibrant dish ready in 35 minutes.

# 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 Base

15 - 6 cups mixed salad greens
16 - 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese, optional
17 - Lemon wedges for serving

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat until surface is hot and ready for cooking.
02 - Rub chicken breasts evenly with olive oil, dried Italian herbs, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper on both sides.
03 - Place seasoned chicken on preheated grill and cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear. Remove from heat and rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
04 - While chicken grills, combine diced tomatoes, red onion, fresh basil, extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Toss gently and allow to sit for 10 minutes for flavors to develop.
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 desired.
07 - Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for added brightness.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The warm grilled chicken against the cool bruschetta topping creates this incredible temperature contrast that keeps every bite interesting
  • You get all the flavors of traditional bruschetta without standing over a hot stove or turning on your oven
02 -
  • Letting the chicken rest before slicing is non-negotiable, otherwise all those juices run out onto your cutting board instead of staying in the meat
  • The bruschetta topping needs those 10 minutes to sit, so make it first and let it hang out while you grill the chicken
03 -
  • If your chicken breasts are thick, slice them horizontally first so they grill quickly and evenly without drying out
  • Room temperature tomatoes release more juice and flavor than cold ones straight from the fridge
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