Description

A sturdy, smoky grilled chicken salad featuring charred corn, avocado, and a bright lemon-herb vinaigrette. Perfect for summer barbecues and crowds, this forgiving recipe delivers vacation-like flavor with minimal stress.

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons olive oil (for chicken)
Salt and black pepper (generous amounts)
4 ears fresh corn, husked
2 large ripe avocados
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1 large head romaine lettuce or sturdy mixed greens
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil (for dressing)
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped

Instructions

Pat chicken dry and rub with olive oil. Mix smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then coat chicken evenly. Let sit while prepping veggies.
Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove and let rest for 5 minutes.
While chicken rests, grill corn, rotating every 2-3 minutes until charred on all sides. Remove and let cool slightly.
In a jar or bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and chopped herbs to make the vinaigrette.
Chop grilled corn off the cob into a large bowl. Add tomatoes, rinsed red onion, and torn greens. Toss gently.
Slice rested chicken into strips and add to the bowl. Add avocado chunks.
Drizzle vinaigrette over salad, sprinkle with feta, and toss gently to coat. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not skip resting the chicken to retain juices. Add avocado last to prevent browning. Rinse red onion slices to mellow the bite. This salad is best served fresh; leftovers can be stored for up to 2 days but greens may wilt.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450
Sugar: 6
Sodium: 400
Fat: 25
Saturated Fat: 5
Carbohydrates: 25
Fiber: 8
Protein: 35

Keywords: grilled chicken salad, summer salad, charred corn, avocado salad, healthy dinner, gluten-free, easy recipe, barbecue side dish