Simple Grilled Chicken Salad Recipe with Balsamic Syrup

This simple grilled chicken salad recipe with balsamic syrup is easy to put together and full of summer flavors!

Until about a year ago I was completely grill-lazy. Which was strange because I went through a grill-all-the-time phase where I wouldn’t even let my hubby touch the grill. (Ok, that’s a stretch. I insisted on being the primary griller, but far be it from me to completely stand between a man and his fire.)

Now I’m back to being in on the grilling fun! Especially when it’s something I’m making “for the blog” as Mike likes to say (but really, it’s also what’s for dinner), and it needs pretty grill marks. Or when at the very least the chicken needs to not look like it was dragged in by wild animals. (Don’t ask. You’d be surprised at the mangy-looking, nearly-shredded chicken breast he pulled off the grill one time. Let’s just say, that one didn’t make it to the blog.)

This simple grilled chicken salad recipe is everything a good salad should be. Balanced in flavor with tangy/sweet syrup (our “dressing”), salty with blue cheese, and full of fresh flavors and textures. Peaches are a nice surprise addition and fresh corn takes these salads over the top.

If your family is the type to ask “will I be full?” when you tell them salad is what’s for dinner, this meal will leave them very satisfied!

Simple Grilled Chicken Salad Recipe Ingredients and Substitutions

Honey Balsamic Syrup Ingredients

• Balsamic vinegar – If possible, use a good quality aged balsamic vinegar here for the best flavor.
• Extra-virgin olive oil – Also go with a good quality oil for this recipe.
• Honey – A touch of honey adds sweetness and balances the vinegar’s acidity.
• Salt and black pepper – Salt elevates the flavor of everything else, and pepper adds a subtle piquant note.

Salad Ingredients

• Spring mix – Or you can use any type of leafy greens or lettuce you like.
• Grilled chicken breast – After grilling, let the meat rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing it cross-wise against the grain. Another option is to use chopped rotisserie chicken here.
• Corn on the cob – You can grill, steam, or microwave the corn; let it cool until it’s not too hot to handle, and then cut the kernels off the cob. Corn adds more texture and natural sweetness to this salad.
• Peaches – For the best flavor, use local peaches at their peak of ripeness. If you can’t find great peaches, you can substitute with other seasonal fruit, such as cherries (remove the stems and pits), plums, nectarines, etc.
• Cherry tomatoes – Or you can use grape tomatoes, or whatever tomatoes are sweet, juicy, and perfectly ripe.
• Scallion – This adds a subtle onion flavor. You can substitute with chives if you like.
• Crumbled blue cheese – Or you can use goat cheese or any type of shredded or crumbled cheese that you fancy.

Instructions

This salad is extremely easy to make:

1. Whisk together all ingredients for the syrup in a medium bowl.
2. For the salad, divide the spring mix between 4 bowls or plates. Top with all remaining salad ingredients. 
3. Drizzle the syrup on top of the salads and serve immediately. 

Tips

• If you’re pressed for time, you can buy balsamic glaze instead of making this syrup. Or just go with a good balsamic vinaigrette.
• You don’t have to grill chicken to make this salad! You can use just about any leftover chicken you have on hand, or pick up a rotisserie chicken.
• The point of this salad is to use fresh, local summertime produce, so use what you like and/or what’s available in your area.

Special Diet Friendly

As written, this salad is naturally gluten free and paleo.

If you wan to reduce the carbs, you can use keto honey in the balsamic syrup. Also, replace the corn with a summer vegetable that’s lower in carbs, such as green beans. Lastly, double the amount of leafy greens and cut the amount of peaches and tomatoes in half so you still have their sweet juicy flavor, but with half of the carbs.

Simple Grilled Chicken Salad Recipe FAQs

Why is My Chicken Salad Bland?

Friends, if you’re making a grilled chicken salad for weight loss, it’s most likely a bit bland. But the good news is that you can still have a healthy grilled chicken salad that’s absolutely delicious.

This recipe is packed with a variety of textures and flavors, as well as nutrient-rich ingredients. It’s anything but boring!

What Type of Salad Dressing Can I Use?

You aren’t limited to balsamic syrup or glaze here! There are a ton of different salad dressings that pair well with this; here are a few ideas:

• Ranch dressing
• Honey mustard dressing
• Parmesan peppercorn dressing
• Creamy Italian dressing
• Sweet and spicy mango vinaigrette

How Can I Meal Prep This Salad?

This salad is perfect for meal prep! I like to prepare the components separately and then assemble them right before eating.

Here’s how to meal prep grilled chicken salad:

• Store the balsamic syrup in a covered glass jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
• Grill the chicken, let it cool, slice it across the grain, and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Wash and spin dry the salad greens. Store them in a glass container (or gallon-sized zip-top plastic bag) with an ever-so-slightly damp paper towel on top (don’t seal the container or the bag).
• Cook the corn on the cob any way you like. Let it cool, then cut the kernels off the cob and store the corn in an airtight container in the fridge.
• Wash, pat dry, and thinly slice the scallion. Put it in an airtight container in the fridge.
• Wash the peaches and cherry tomatoes. If possible, wait until right before serving to cut them, otherwise chop them and store them in their own containers.

Here are a few convenient meal prep containers:

• Lidded glass containers with 2 compartments
• Glass meal prep containers with lids
• Glass storage containers in a range of sizes from 1 cup to 7 cups

More Chicken Salad Recipes to Make

• Canned chicken salad recipe
• Keto BBQ chicken salad
• Curried chicken salad recipe