Bruschetta Chicken Salad (Printable)

Juicy grilled chicken topped with fresh tomato-basil mixture over crisp mixed 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 (about 4 medium tomatoes)
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 (romaine, arugula, or spring mix)
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 evenly with olive oil, dried Italian herbs, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Grill chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove from heat and rest for 5 minutes, then slice 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 let sit for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
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 using.
07 - Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The warm grilled chicken against the cool, juicy tomatoes creates this incredible temperature contrast that keeps every bite interesting
  • Everything comes together in under 40 minutes, but it tastes like something from a restaurant patio
  • The leftovers actually taste better the next day when the flavors have had time to become friends
02 -
  • Letting the chicken rest before slicing is non-negotiable, or all those juices will end up on your cutting board instead of in your salad
  • The bruschetta topping can be made up to 2 hours ahead, but add the basil at the last minute so it stays bright
03 -
  • Pound the chicken to even thickness before grilling, or the thin parts will dry out while the thick parts finish cooking
  • Use room temperature tomatoes for the bruschetta topping, or the flavors will not meld as nicely
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