Citrus Herb Chicken Salad Bowl (Printable)

Vibrant salad with herb-marinated grilled chicken, quinoa, avocado, orange segments, and citrus vinaigrette for a wholesome meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Herb Chicken

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
06 - 1 clove garlic, minced
07 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Salad Base

10 - 2 cups cooked quinoa
11 - 6 cups mixed salad greens
12 - 2 large oranges, peeled and segmented
13 - 1 large avocado, sliced
14 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
15 - 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds

→ Citrus Vinaigrette

16 - 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
17 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
18 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
19 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
20 - 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
21 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
22 - 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

# How To Make It:

01 - In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, basil, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add chicken breasts and marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for enhanced flavor.
02 - Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium heat. Grill chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Allow to rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
03 - Rinse quinoa under cold water. Combine with 1.5 cups water in a saucepan, bring to a boil, then simmer covered for 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork and cool slightly.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, lemon juice, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
05 - Divide greens among four bowls. Layer with cooked quinoa, orange segments, avocado slices, red onion, and grilled chicken. Drizzle with citrus vinaigrette and sprinkle with toasted almonds.
06 - Serve immediately for optimal freshness and flavor.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The combination of warm herb grilled chicken and cool crisp greens hits every satisfaction button at once
  • Everything comes together in under 45 minutes but tastes like something from a fancy lunch café
  • The homemade citrus vinaigrette ties all the fresh flavors together into something greater than the sum of its parts
02 -
  • Letting the chicken rest after grilling is non negotiable or all those juices will run out onto your cutting board instead of staying where they belong
  • The vinaigrette will separate if it sits too long so give it a quick whisk right before pouring
  • Room temperature chicken grills more evenly than cold chicken straight from the fridge
03 -
  • Pound your chicken breasts to even thickness before marinating so they cook evenly without drying out at the edges
  • Cut your orange segments over a bowl to catch all that precious juice for the vinaigrette
  • Use a vegetable peeler to shave thin ribbons of red onion instead of slicing them for a milder bite
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