Lemon Herb Mediterranean Chicken Salad (adapted from Cafe Delights)

A delightful combination of grilled lemon-herb marinated chicken with healthy vegetables flavored with a dressing that doubles as the marinade. Feel free to pick and choose to add your favorite vegetables. 

Marinade/Dressing: (I like to double the marinade recipe)

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• juice of 1 lemon (1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice)
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• cracked pepper, to taste
• 1 pound (500 g) skinless, boneless chicken or chicken breasts

Salad:

• 4 cups Romaine (or Cos) lettuce leaves, washed and dried
• 1 large cucumber diced
• 2 Roma tomatoes diced
• 1 red onion sliced
• 1 avocado sliced
• 1/3 cup pitted Kalamata olives (or black olives), sliced (optional)
• Lemon wedges to serve

Instructions

Whisk together all of the marinade/dressing ingredients in a large jug. Pour out half of the marinade into a large, shallow dish. Refrigerate the remaining marinade to use as the dressing later.

Add the chicken to the marinade in the bowl; marinade chicken for 15-30 minutes (or up to two hours in the refrigerator if time allows). While waiting for the chicken, prepare all of the salad ingredients and mix in a large salad bowl. 

Add ½ cup crumbled feta to give the salad an even better flavor!

Once the chicken is ready, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a grill pan or a grill plate over medium-high heat. Grill chicken on both sides until browned and thoroughly cooked through. As we all embark on a somewhat healthier lifestyle involving better food choices, less alcohol, more exercise, please remember that there is only “one you” in this world. It is your job to take care of “you”.