I’ve made this salad version several times, especially when I have leftover chicken breast in the fridge and some greens that need to be used up. Usually, I prepare it in the evening, quickly, right on the kitchen counter, without complicating things. The most time-consuming part is washing the lettuce and cutting everything as evenly as possible. Other than that, it doesn’t require any special effort.
Quick Info
Total time: about 20-25 minutes
Preparation time: 15-20 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes (while grilling the chicken breast)
Servings: 2-3
Difficulty: easy
Recipe type: hearty salad, suitable for lunch or dinner
Ingredients
1 medium green lettuce (any type you prefer)
4 slices of chicken breast
1 red onion
cherry tomatoes (enough to fit in one hand, approx. 150-200 g)
parmesan (larger pieces, not finely grated)
canned sweet corn (about half a can, drained)
bread croutons (a handful, to taste)
salad seasoning (mix or individual: salt, pepper)
olive oil (1-2 tablespoons)
juice of half a lemon
Preparation steps
1. Wash the lettuce leaves thoroughly, one by one. Shake them off and let them dry on a towel. Then tear or cut the leaves into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large bowl.
2. Grill the chicken breast. Heat the grill pan or grill; no oil is needed if the pan is non-stick. Cook the chicken slices on both sides until browned and fully cooked. Let them cool slightly, then cut into strips.
3. Slice the red onion into julienne (thin, uniform slices). Cut the cherry tomatoes in half or quarters.
4. In the bowl with the lettuce, add the chicken strips, onion, cut tomatoes, well-drained corn, broken or cut parmesan pieces, and croutons.
5. Add the salad seasonings: salt, pepper, or any mix you prefer. Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice directly over the ingredients. Gently mix with two large spoons or with your hands (if making a larger portion, this usually works better).
6. Taste the salad and adjust the salt, pepper, or lemon to your liking.
Why I make this recipe often
It’s one of the quickest chicken salad options. It doesn’t have hard-to-find ingredients and is perfect when you want something hearty without spending much time cooking. I use whatever I have at home, especially if I have leftover chicken breast or croutons from another meal.
Tips and variations
Tips
If the chicken is already cooked from another day, the salad comes together even faster.
Make sure to wash the lettuce well; it’s important not to leave any sand or debris on the leaves.
Add the croutons at the end so they don’t get soggy too quickly.
Choose parmesan in pieces, not grated, for better texture.
Substitutions
The green lettuce can be replaced with arugula, baby spinach, or a mix of greens.
The chicken breast can be substituted with turkey or even leftover cold roast.
Parmesan can be replaced with Grana Padano or another hard cheese.
The corn can be omitted if it’s not to your taste.
Variations
For a heartier salad, you can add a hard-boiled egg.
You can add sunflower or pumpkin seeds for extra texture.
Cherry tomatoes can be replaced with regular tomatoes, diced.
Serving ideas
The salad can be served on large plates, with croutons added on top just before serving. It works well as a main course for lunch or dinner, alongside a light soup.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use rotisserie or pre-cooked chicken?
Yes, any cooked chicken breast works just as well. Ideally, it should be sliced thin.
What type of croutons work best?
Any plain croutons made from toasted bread, without strong seasonings. They can be store-bought or made quickly at home.
Can the salad be made in advance?
The fully assembled salad doesn’t keep well, but you can prepare the ingredients separately and assemble them just before serving.
What seasonings work best?
Salt, pepper, and a bit of dried oregano or basil if you want an extra flavor boost. You can use any salad mix.
Nutritional values
Estimate per serving:
calories: ~350-400 kcal
protein: 30-35 g
carbohydrates: 22-25 g
fats: 15-18 g
Values are approximate and depend on the amount of croutons, type of cheese used, and how much olive oil is added. It’s a hearty salad with a good protein and fiber content.
Storage and reheating
The salad doesn’t store well once mixed, as the leaves wilt and the croutons become soggy. If you need to prepare it ahead of time, keep the vegetables, chicken, croutons, and dressing separate, and combine them just before serving. Reheating is not necessary for this recipe.
Quick Info
Total time: about 20-25 minutes
Preparation time: 15-20 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes (while grilling the chicken breast)
Servings: 2-3
Difficulty: easy
Recipe type: hearty salad, suitable for lunch or dinner
Ingredients
1 medium green lettuce (any type you prefer)
4 slices of chicken breast
1 red onion
cherry tomatoes (enough to fit in one hand, approx. 150-200 g)
parmesan (larger pieces, not finely grated)
canned sweet corn (about half a can, drained)
bread croutons (a handful, to taste)
salad seasoning (mix or individual: salt, pepper)
olive oil (1-2 tablespoons)
juice of half a lemon
Preparation steps
1. Wash the lettuce leaves thoroughly, one by one. Shake them off and let them dry on a towel. Then tear or cut the leaves into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large bowl.
2. Grill the chicken breast. Heat the grill pan or grill; no oil is needed if the pan is non-stick. Cook the chicken slices on both sides until browned and fully cooked. Let them cool slightly, then cut into strips.
3. Slice the red onion into julienne (thin, uniform slices). Cut the cherry tomatoes in half or quarters.
4. In the bowl with the lettuce, add the chicken strips, onion, cut tomatoes, well-drained corn, broken or cut parmesan pieces, and croutons.
5. Add the salad seasonings: salt, pepper, or any mix you prefer. Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice directly over the ingredients. Gently mix with two large spoons or with your hands (if making a larger portion, this usually works better).
6. Taste the salad and adjust the salt, pepper, or lemon to your liking.
Why I make this recipe often
It’s one of the quickest chicken salad options. It doesn’t have hard-to-find ingredients and is perfect when you want something hearty without spending much time cooking. I use whatever I have at home, especially if I have leftover chicken breast or croutons from another meal.
Tips and variations
Tips
If the chicken is already cooked from another day, the salad comes together even faster.
Make sure to wash the lettuce well; it’s important not to leave any sand or debris on the leaves.
Add the croutons at the end so they don’t get soggy too quickly.
Choose parmesan in pieces, not grated, for better texture.
Substitutions
The green lettuce can be replaced with arugula, baby spinach, or a mix of greens.
The chicken breast can be substituted with turkey or even leftover cold roast.
Parmesan can be replaced with Grana Padano or another hard cheese.
The corn can be omitted if it’s not to your taste.
Variations
For a heartier salad, you can add a hard-boiled egg.
You can add sunflower or pumpkin seeds for extra texture.
Cherry tomatoes can be replaced with regular tomatoes, diced.
Serving ideas
The salad can be served on large plates, with croutons added on top just before serving. It works well as a main course for lunch or dinner, alongside a light soup.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use rotisserie or pre-cooked chicken?
Yes, any cooked chicken breast works just as well. Ideally, it should be sliced thin.
What type of croutons work best?
Any plain croutons made from toasted bread, without strong seasonings. They can be store-bought or made quickly at home.
Can the salad be made in advance?
The fully assembled salad doesn’t keep well, but you can prepare the ingredients separately and assemble them just before serving.
What seasonings work best?
Salt, pepper, and a bit of dried oregano or basil if you want an extra flavor boost. You can use any salad mix.
Nutritional values
Estimate per serving:
calories: ~350-400 kcal
protein: 30-35 g
carbohydrates: 22-25 g
fats: 15-18 g
Values are approximate and depend on the amount of croutons, type of cheese used, and how much olive oil is added. It’s a hearty salad with a good protein and fiber content.
Storage and reheating
The salad doesn’t store well once mixed, as the leaves wilt and the croutons become soggy. If you need to prepare it ahead of time, keep the vegetables, chicken, croutons, and dressing separate, and combine them just before serving. Reheating is not necessary for this recipe.