Chicken Tomato & Cucumber Dinner Salad
Chicken dinner salad with pan-seared chicken over cucumber ribbons, juicy tomatoes, olives, and feta, dressed in a quick homemade vinaigrette. A light, fresh Greek-style salad that eats like a meal in 20 minutes.
YIELD
4 servingsPREP
20 minCOOK
0 minREADY
20 minA salad hearty enough to call dinner, ready in about 20 minutes. The chicken tenders get a simple salt-and-pepper seasoning and a quick pan-sear, then go warm over a cool, crisp Mediterranean-style salad.
The vinaigrette comes together in a jar with a few good shakes, vinegar, oil, a little sugar to balance, and salt and pepper, no whisking, no fuss.
What makes it feel special is the texture play: cucumber sliced into thin ribbons with a vegetable peeler for elegance and crunch, juicy tomatoes, briny olives, and salty feta. Warm chicken against the cold, crisp vegetables is the whole appeal. Drizzle the vinaigrette over just before serving so everything stays fresh and bright.
Kitchen Tips
- Slice the cucumber into ribbons with a vegetable peeler for a prettier plate and a lighter, crunchier bite than thick coins.
- Let the chicken rest a couple of minutes after cooking, then slice. It stays juicier and is easier to arrange.
- Dress the salad right before serving so the vegetables stay crisp and the feta doesn’t get soggy.
Variations
- Use grilled chicken or leftover rotisserie to make it even faster.
- Add red onion, bell pepper, or chickpeas for more substance.
- Swap the feta for goat cheese, or the vinaigrette for a lemon-oregano Greek dressing.
Ingredients
5 tablespoons olive oil divided chicken breast tenders
salt and pepper
1/4 cup cider vinegar or white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
1 teaspoon sugar
1 medium cucumber cut into ribbon 2 tomatoes diced
1/2cup pitted olives
4 ounces feta cheese
Directions
In a large skillet heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat lightly sprinkle cheese chicken tenders with salt and pepper.
Cook chicken in hot oil for 8 to 10 minutes turning once until no pink remains.
For vinaigrette: In a screw-top jar combined remaining, or I’ll vinegar time sugar and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper shake to combine.
On 4 dinner plates, arange chicken cucumber ribbons slice tomatoes olives and feta cheese drizzled vinaigrette over salad.
Comments
