Chicken and Zucchini Salad
- Gluten Free
- Lactose Free
- Energy Kcal 221
- Carbohydrates g 9.4
- of which sugars g 9.4
- Protein g 25.2
- Fats g 9.1
- of which saturated fat g 1.48
- Fiber g 2.9
- Cholesterol mg 60
- Sodium mg 542
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Prep time: 15 min
- Cook time: 15 min
- Serving: 4
- Cost: Very low
- Note + 1 h for marinating the chicken
PRESENTATION
When it comes to fresh and bright summer dishes, nothing—and I mean nothing—beats a chicken and zucchini salad straight from Italy. Imagine juicy, tender grilled zucchini paired with colorful cherry tomatoes and crisp salad leaves. Really good stuff. It’s not just a feast for the eyes but also a delight for your taste buds.
The star of this grilled chicken salad is the marinated chicken breast, which turns out moist and packed with flavor. And here's the thing: This salad is not just a side dish—it’s a protein-packed meal that energizes you through those long afternoons. Seriously good. With all those veggies and lean chicken, you end up with a dish that’s not only fresh but super energizing and perfect for those hot summer days.
Italian tables often have their own twist on a healthy chicken salad like this. Some folks love to toss in sliced apples or avocado for a touch of sweetness or creamy texture. And look, others might add a bit of crispy crunch with toasted nuts or seeds. Really really versatile. The options are endless when it comes to dressings too, ranging from a simple lemon-olive oil combo to something more tangy.
The beauty of a chicken and vegetable salad lies in how everything comes together in a big, colorful pile that’s both lively and satisfying. And you know what? These kinds of dishes pop up all over Italy during the summer, showing off those Mediterranean flavors and the joy of eating healthy without skimping on taste. Whether you call it a zucchini salad with chicken or your go-to for easy chicken salad recipes, it’s the kind of dish that keeps you feeling good and never gets boring.
With every bite, you get a mix of crisp freshness, juicy chicken, and an unbeatable combination of tastes and textures that are perfect for a sunny day. This salad really shows the Italian love for simple yet delicious food that brings people together around the table—making every meal feel special. Pretty simple.
You might also like:
INGREDIENTS
- Chicken breast 0.9 lb (400 g) - sliced
- Zucchini 1 ¾ cup (200 g)
- Eggplant 2 ½ cups (200 g)
- Datterino tomatoes 1 cup (150 g)
- Mixed salad 2 cups (60 g)
- Fine salt to taste
- Extra virgin olive oil to taste
- for marinating
- Extra virgin olive oil 1.8 tbsp (25 g)
- Wildflower honey 1 ¾ tbsp (25 g)
- Lemon juice ½
- Thyme to taste
- Fine salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
How to prepare Chicken and Zucchini Salad
To prepare the chicken and zucchini salad, first, take care of marinating the chicken: place the chicken breasts in a baking dish, pour in the oil 1, season with salt and pepper 2, then add the honey 3,
the juice of half a lemon 4, and a few sprigs of thyme 5. Turn the slices on both sides so that the entire surface of the meat is in contact with the marinade 6, then cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and let it rest for an hour at room temperature.
In the meantime, prepare the vegetables: wash the zucchinis, trim the ends, and slice them lengthwise with a knife into slices about 0.4 inches 7. Do the same with the eggplants 8. Finally, wash and quarter the cherry tomatoes 9.
Now heat a grill well, brush it with a little oil 10, then lay the zucchini slices on it 11 and grill them on both sides, seasoning with salt to taste 12.
Grill and salt the eggplants as well, turning them on both sides 13, then move on to the chicken, which you will take directly from the marinade to transfer it to the grill 14. Use kitchen tongs to turn the slices to the other side so as not to pierce the meat and avoid the juices from leaking out 15.
Once grilled, cut the zucchinis 16, eggplants 17, and chicken slices into strips about 0.8 inches long 18.
Let the grilled vegetables cool slightly, then transfer them to a bowl, add the cherry tomatoes 19, the chicken, and the mixed salad greens, which have been previously washed and dried 20, then mix everything well and transfer to plates: your chicken and zucchini salad is ready to be served 21!