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Mediterranean Salad with Creamy Balsamic Dressing

This Mediterranean salad with creamy balsamic dressing is full of greens, protein and flavor! Comes together super quickly and tastes so fresh and delicious. Plus it’s healthier than most restaurants, too!

Mediterranean salad in white bowl.
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Everyday Mediterranean Salad

Whenever I’m craving a healthy and flavorful salad, this recipe is always top of mind. It’s loaded with all of my favorite ingredients and is so easy to make. I also like to make a big chopped salad or Italian salad.

One of my favorite salads to order when we lived in Ohio was from a cute little Greek restaurant downtown. It was called the ‘Mediterranean junk salad’ and was seriously amazing! I’ve been craving it the past couple of weeks and decided to make my own version at home. The original has half chicken and half gyro meat, but I decided to do all chicken in mine to simplify it.

This Mediterranean salad is full of greens, protein and flavor! I love adding pita chips to the top to give it a little crunch. It comes together super quickly and tastes so fresh and delicious. Plus the homemade creamy balsamic dressing adds the perfect touch of sweetness. So easy, yummy and healthier than most restaurants, too! :)

Making Mediterranean salad.

Creamy Balsamic Dressing

The creamy balsamic dressing is what makes this salad so delicious! Creamy dressings like this or my homemade Caesar dressing are my favorite salad dressings.

This dressing pairs perfectly with the flavors in this Mediterranean salad. You can also use a traditional balsamic dressing (without the mayo/yogurt) as well.

  • Mayonnaise
  • Greek yogurt
  • Olive oil
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Italian seasoning
  • Garlic salt
  • Maple syrup

Instructions: Whisk all ingredients in a small bowl until combined. Taste, and add salt and pepper as needed.

Assembling the Salad

Before assembling the salad, you’ll want to cook the chicken and make the dressing. Once both are ready, layer the ingredients into 1 large bowl or 4 individual-sized bowls in the following order:

  1. Place lettuce in the bottom of the bowl.
  2. Add sliced grilled chicken on top.
  3. Top with chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, feta and parsley.
  4. Add chickpeas and crushed pita chips if desired.
  5. Drizzle balsamic dressing on top and toss until combined.
Pouring balsamic over mediterranean salad.

Possible Substitutions

  • I cooked my chicken in the skillet, but you could easily use baked or grilled chicken. Rotisserie also works great.
  • Feel free to mix in more toppings like black olives, banana peppers or avocado. You could even add a dollop of hummus, tzatziki or dill dip.
  • You could use store bought balsamic if preferred. Greek salad dressing, lemon tahini dressing or a classic vinaigrette would also taste delicious.
  • I like to use romaine lettuce, but you could swap with spring mix, kale, spinach, arugula or whatever you have on hand.

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mediterranean salad

Mediterranean Salad Recipe

5 from 18 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
This Mediterranean salad with creamy balsamic dressing is full of greens, protein and flavor! Comes together super quickly and tastes so fresh and delicious. Plus it's healthier than most restaurants, too!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 4

Video

Ingredients 

  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut in half horizontally)
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 8 cups romaine lettuce (spinach or spring mix)
  • 2 tomatoes (sliced or diced)
  • 1 cucumber (chopped)
  • ½ red onion (sliced or diced)
  • ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

Creamy Balsamic Dressing

S&P, to taste

    Optional: Chickpeas, pita chips

      Instructions

      • Place the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with the Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. 
      • Place the chicken into the pan. Cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until cooked through the center. 
      • Once cooked, remove from the heat and slice into thin strips once slightly cooled.
      • Combine the mayo, greek yogurt, oil, vinegar, Italian seasoning, garlic salt and maple syrup in a small bowl. Whisk until combined. Salt and pepper, to taste. 
      • Layer the lettuce in one large bowl, or 4 individual bowls. Top with chicken, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, feta and parsley. Add chickpeas and pita chips if desired. Drizzle over the dressing over the top of the salad and toss until combined.

      Nutrition

      Calories: 401kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 277mg | Potassium: 755mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 9145IU | Vitamin C: 21.3mg | Calcium: 124mg | Iron: 2.3mg

      Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

      Course: Salad
      Cuisine: Mediterranean

      Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

      Mediterranean salad in a white bowl.

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