Description
A budget-friendly, fresh, and light summer salad featuring charred chicken thighs, sweet strawberries, and a tangy balsamic dressing. It balances savory, sweet, and tangy flavors in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 2 heads romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs dry and season generously with salt and black pepper. Let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat (400°F/200°C). Clean grates and brush lightly with oil.
- Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Transfer to a plate and rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- While chicken rests, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
- Wash and dry romaine lettuce, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Hull and slice strawberries. Thinly slice red onion.
- Toast slivered almonds in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes until fragrant, then set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine romaine, strawberries, red onion, and toasted almonds. Drizzle with half the dressing and toss gently.
- Top with sliced grilled chicken, remaining dressing, and crumbled feta cheese. Serve immediately.
Notes
For best results, keep dressing separate until serving to prevent soggy lettuce. Chicken thighs are preferred over breasts for juiciness and cost. Toasting almonds enhances flavor significantly. If strawberries are out of season, frozen (thawed and dried) can be used.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 380
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 32
Keywords: grilled chicken salad, strawberry salad, summer salad, budget-friendly recipes, healthy lunch, balsamic dressing, meal prep