delicious and colorful salad with grilled chicken and avocado

Salads

the salad that will make you feel like a chef

By Emily Carter

Published: 05 Oct 2024

Salad That Will Make You Feel Like a Chef

Honestly, I was a total salad snob at first. I would only ever order fancy ones in restaurants-you know, the one's with all the artisan ingredients and balsamic reductions. But let's be real, sometimes you just want something simple and satisfying. And that's where this salad comes in. It is so easy to make, yet it can actually be cooked up to taste like it came from some Michelin-star restaurant. Furthermore, it has loads of nutrients and flavor that perfectly pair with each other to make a great lunch or dinner.

colorful salad with grilled chicken and avocado

colorful salad with grilled chicken and avocado | Image: Supplied

Ingredients You'll Need:

Well, this is just about a regular salad, more or less. What you'll need for this to work is as follows:

  • Greens: Any mix of your favorite greens is fair game, but I love a mix of arugula, spinach, and romaine. Each brings a different something to the salad in flavor and texture. You could totally go with a spring mix for ease, but use the arugula! Trust me here. In a nutshell, here is what you will need: *Protein: Grilled chicken is my go-to, but you could use grilled shrimp, tofu, or even hard-boiled eggs. It's all about finding what works for you! Vegetables: I love adding a mix of colorful veggies like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and red onion. They add crunch and flavor to it. You can add whatever seasonal veggies you enjoy, too. Think: corn, beets, broccoli, asparagus, and more.
  • Cheese: The classic is Parmesan cheese, but feta or goat cheese works well, too, for a nice, sharp taste. I like to use both. Dressing: You can go really crazy here. I tend to make a quick vinaigrette with some olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Of course, if time is scarce, store-bought dressing does the trick just as well. Tip: fresh lemon juice makes quite a bit of difference.

Let's Make a Salad Already

This salad actually comes together like, well. simple.

  • First, toss your greens with your dressing of choice. You'll want to make sure you coat everything evenly.
  • Put your protein in next. You can dice up, slice, or even leave chicken in whole pieces if that is what you desire. You can also grill the chicken while the veggies are getting prepared.
  • Throw your veggies on in afterward. Again, as big or as small as you want. Don't be afraid to experiment!
  • Finally, top with your cheese: grate yourself, pre-shredded, or you can even crumble the cheese to give the salad a little extra texture. Tip: If you are taking this salad to a potluck or party, set everything out buffet-style and let each person make their own salad. You can also make a batch of dressing and keep that in another container as well.
a plate of salad with grilled chicken, avocado, and parmesan cheese

a plate of salad with grilled chicken, avocado, and parmesan cheese | Image: Supplied

**Make it Your Own!

What's beautiful about this salad is that it's totally customizable. Be my guest, and work your magic with whatever ingredients and flavors you like. Love spicy food? Throw in some sliced jalapenos or a pinch of chili flakes in your dressing. Vegetarian? Try adding chickpeas or lentils for extra protein. The options are limitless! What are some of your favorite salad combinations?

Why this Salad Will Make You a Chef

Why is this salad going to make you feel like a chef? Because it is simple, it is elegant, and it is delicious. It is also one that allows you to flex your creativity and make it truly all about you. And let's get real, when you take the time to put together a meal from scratch, you feel accomplished and proud. So next time you're looking for something quick and easy, try this salad. It's the perfect way to impress yourself and everyone else at the table.

The best food is always the simplest.

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