Salads are delightfully satisfying – especially for those meals when you just want something light yet filling. Maybe it is the cool touch of greens. Maybe it is the crunch of the veggies. Or maybe it is just the intense flavor combination that comes with a well-designed salad. Whatever it is that makes your mouth want to shout for joy with every bite, salads just keep getting better and better.

While there are some who prefer to stick to the basics, like a salad designed with little more than lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and croutons, avid salad eaters know that you can throw all sorts of things together – and create something amazingly delicious. Both are equally good, but if you are looking for refreshing salad recipes with chicken, we’ve got five must-try combinations. 

1. Grilled Lemon-Herb Mediterranean Chicken Salad

Imagine having a salad that carries you across oceans. The flavors in this salad, both due to the ingredients used as well as the dressing, can do just that. They are light and bright. And, it even comes with a dressing that you can also use as a marinade for the chicken! It keeps things uniform throughout the salad – which is always a win.

Using lettuce, tomato, cucumber, kalamata olives, avocado, and chicken – it is a simple yet sophisticated meal all piled into one giant dinner salad bowl. The dressing is made from olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, fresh parsley, garlic, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.

Marinate and cook your chicken in the dressing, and then use the remainder in your salad. Top it off with feta or goat cheese for an extra burst!

2. Cilantro Lime Chicken Salad with Mango-Avocado Salsa

This recipe – cilantro lime chicken salad with mango-avocado salsa – is the perfect summertime salad for you to bring into your life. Of course, there is no one stopping you from eating it now. Depending on where you live, it may still be a bit chilly and feel like winter. Turn up the heat in the house and indulge in this salad – you are sure to imagine yourself sipping a fruity beverage in a coconut somewhere along the shore of the Caribbean ocean. Try it. 

So, what are the base ingredients? Romaine lettuce, grilled slices of red pepper, and marinated chicken thighs. But it isn’t over until you add the mango-avocado salsa. Think about it – creamy avocado and sweet, juicy mango? It seems like the perfect match. Again, the dressing and the marinade for the chicken are the same to help keep some stability in flavors – and not confuse the brain too much. It is a combination of ingredients like olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, honey, brown sugar, and cumin. 

Soak the chicken in the marinade and then grill it up. Throw the salad together with the remaining dressing – and top with a salsa that includes chunks of mango, avocado, green onion, coriander, and red pepper flakes. Yum!

3. Vietnamese Shredded Chicken Salad

Spicy, crunchy Asian flavor is what you will find piled high in this salad. With the addition of chicken, it is both delicious and satisfying for the hunger factor. It’s quick and easy but doesn’t feel like it – as your lunch/dinner guests will think you’re a genius. 

All you need to do is chop the veggies, shred the chicken from a store-bought rotisserie chicken (or make your own chicken at home), and toss in the dressing. For the salad, you will need shredded napa cabbage, scallions, matchstick carrots, red bell pepper, fresh mint, fresh cilantro, and chopped peanuts. You will also need the chicken, of course. Toss this all in a dressing made of fresh-squeezed lime juice, Sriracha sauce, garlic, sugar, fish sauce, and vegetable oil. 

Enjoy! 

4. BLT Chicken Salad

Trying to keep the gluten at bay? Ditch the bread but keep the delightful BLT with this BLT chicken salad. This is another salad that has basic ingredients and is super simple to make – but it brings a wonderful flavor combination. In fact, many will tell you that it can almost be described as comfort food. It makes sense if you grew up eating BLTs for lunch or dinner in the summertime. Of course, you can add or omit any ingredients so that it fits your likes – and memory bank. 

The base of the salad is the greens of your choosing. This could be a spring mix, romaine, kale, iceberg, and more. Top with chopped tomatoes, sliced hard-boiled eggs, cubed chicken, and crumbled bacon pieces. For the dressing, you will mix up some mayo, barbecue sauce, finely chopped onion, lemon juice, and pepper. 

Toss it all together. That’s all it takes!

5. Balsamic Chicken Breast Salad

As we said, some people prefer a basic salad. And, sometimes, that’s all that is needed to make a delightful meal. Sure, a plethora of flavors keeps you guessing, but when you are trying to truly enjoy simplicity, you don’t need anything more than salad greens, grape tomatoes, shallot, and mozzarella cheese. 

You will create a salad dressing using olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper. Blend it well, and then set aside about ½ cup. Marinate your boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the dressing for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator. Though, marinating overnight can lead to a greater flavor. Fire up your grill and grill your chicken. Then cube it and toss it with all your salad ingredients. Top it off with a quick toss in your homemade balsamic dressing. 

This is an uncomplicated salad with crunch and bold flavor. What more can you ask for?

Salads are the perfect summertime dish, but you don’t have to wait until the sun comes out to delight in them. They are perfect for lunch or dinner throughout the year. Try adding different ingredients, including different meats. Experience with different combinations – or create a salad based on your favorite non-salad meal. The possibilities are endless – and oh so refreshing.