Bruschetta Chicken Salad (Printable)

Juicy grilled chicken paired with fresh tomato-basil topping over crisp mixed greens. A light and vibrant Italian-American favorite.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Bruschetta Topping

07 - 2 cups ripe tomatoes, diced
08 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
09 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
10 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
12 - 1 clove garlic, minced
13 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
14 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Salad

15 - 6 cups mixed salad greens
16 - 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese, optional
17 - Lemon wedges for serving

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
02 - Rub chicken breasts evenly with olive oil, Italian herbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
03 - Grill chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove from heat and rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - While chicken grills, combine tomatoes, red onion, basil, extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Toss gently and allow to sit for 10 minutes to meld flavors.
05 - Arrange mixed salad greens on a large platter or individual serving plates. Layer sliced chicken over the greens.
06 - Spoon bruschetta topping generously over chicken. Sprinkle with shaved Parmesan cheese if using.
07 - Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The bruschetta topping transforms ordinary grilled chicken into something restaurant-worthy in minutes
  • You get all the flavors of classic bruschetta without the bread, making it lighter and perfect for summer
  • It comes together so quickly that it is become my go-to when I want something impressive but effortless
02 -
  • Letting the chicken rest before slicing is non-negotiable, cutting too early releases all those precious juices and you end up with dry meat
  • The bruschetta topping needs at least 10 minutes to sit, this is when the tomatoes release their juices and the garlic mellows into something sweet
  • Room temperature tomatoes have so much more flavor than cold ones from the fridge, so take them out in advance
03 -
  • If you are cooking indoors, a cast iron skillet creates the most beautiful crust on the chicken
  • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the bruschetta if you like a little heat
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