Grilled Chicken Salad with Avocado Dressing is a dish that radiates freshness and simplicity. Combining tender chicken with a medley of crisp vegetables, all brought together with a creamy avocado dressing, this salad is a perfect choice for a light yet satisfying meal. It’s vibrant, wholesome, and ideal for any occasion, whether it’s a summer barbecue or a relaxed family lunch.
The body of the show is undoubtedly the grilled chicken. Marinated in a refreshing mix of Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and thyme, the chicken becomes wonderfully tender and infused with flavour. The slight tang of the yogurt complements the citrusy brightness of the lemon, while thyme adds an earthy aroma that perfectly enhances the natural taste of the meat. Cooking it on a grill or chargrill pan adds those irresistible char marks, creating a smoky flavour that is both rustic and inviting.
But the salad is far from being a simple backdrop to the chicken. It’s a thoughtfully composed blend of textures and tastes. Mooli or radish offers a peppery crunch, while cucumber brings a cooling crispness. Thinly sliced spring onions add a mild bite, balanced by the delicate freshness of bean sprouts and cress. This combination ensures every forkful is vibrant and satisfying.
The avocado dressing is where this dish truly shines. Creamy avocado, blended with rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, coriander, and a touch of yogurt, creates a luscious sauce that coats the salad with a silky richness. It’s light, tangy, and nutty, adding a layer of depth to the freshness of the vegetables. The dressing brings everything together but also adds a visual contrast with its soft green hue.
To finish, toasted sesame seeds are scattered over the salad, adding a subtle crunch and nutty warmth. The seeds complement the sesame oil in the dressing, tying the whole dish together with a beautifully cohesive flavour.
Grilled Chicken Salad with Avocado Dressing is a celebration of balance – light yet hearty, creamy yet crisp. It’s a dish that not only pleases the palate but also nourishes the body. Serve it as a main meal, perhaps alongside a crusty baguette or a chilled glass of white wine. For those who enjoy a bit of spice, a sprinkle of chilli flakes over the chicken would add a delightful kick.
Whether it’s a midweek dinner or a family do, this grilled chicken salad offers a burst of colour, flavour, and joy on your plate. It’s the kind of meal that leaves you feeling refreshed and content – a true delight in every bite.
Grilled Chicken Salad with Avocado Dressing
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts 150g each
- 2 tbsp Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp natural yogurt
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme
- 100 g radish thinly sliced
- 10 cm cucumber deseeded and sliced
- 4 medium spring onions very thinly sliced
- 75 g bean sprouts
- 1 punnet cress
- 1/2 large avocado
- 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp coriander chopped
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds toasted
Instructions
- Put the chicken breasts between two sheets of cling film and beat with a rolling pin until 1cm thick.2 large chicken breasts
- Stir together the yogurt, lemon and thyme and season with pepper.2 tbsp Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp fresh thyme
- Put the chicken and marinade in a bowl and leave for 15 mins.
- Meanwhile, put the radish, cucumber, onions, bean spouts and cress in a large salad bowl and toss.100 g radish, 10 cm cucumber, 4 medium spring onions, 75 g bean sprouts, 1 punnet cress
- Add the avocado, vinegar, oil, coriander and yogurt to a blender and blitz until smooth.1/2 large avocado, 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp coriander, 1 tbsp natural yogurt
- Cook the chicken on a BBQ, in a chargrill pan or under the grill for approx. 8 mins, turning once until cooked through. Check that no pink flesh is visible and that the juices run clear when pierced at the thickest part of the chicken.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad, scatter over the sesame seeds, add the sliced chicken on top and serve.1 tbsp sesame seeds
Nutrition
