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Greek Lemon Chicken Salad

Lemony oregano chicken breast over mixed greens with orange, cucumber and a light lemon dressing — bright and lean.

13min
290kcal
33.5gprotein
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Ingredients

Servings 2
  • 300 g Chicken breast
  • 60 g Arugula
  • 100 g Romaine lettuce
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • 1 tsp Dried oregano
  • 1 Lemon
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • 1 Orange (optional)
  • ½ Cucumber (optional)
  • ¼ Red onion (optional)
  • ½ tsp Smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional)
  • 2 tbsp Dill (optional)
  • ¼ tsp Black pepper (optional)

Method

  1. Slice the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and season with the salt, black pepper and smoked paprika.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes until golden and cooked through.
  3. While the chicken cooks, mince the garlic.
  4. Roughly chop the romaine and pile it with the arugula in a large bowl.
  5. Thinly slice the cucumber and red onion, and peel and segment the orange. Add them to the bowl.
  6. Whisk the juice of the lemon with the Dijon mustard and a pinch of salt to make a light dressing.
  7. Add the garlic and oregano to the cooked chicken and toss for 30 seconds until fragrant, then take off the heat.
  8. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss. Top with the warm chicken and scatter with the dill.

Tap “Start cooking” for live timers that flag what to get ahead on while something simmers.

About Greek Lemon Chicken Salad

Greek lemon chicken salad is proof that a light meal does not have to be a dull one. Lean chicken breast is seasoned with oregano and paprika, seared until golden, and piled over a bowl of mixed greens with cucumber, red onion and bright orange segments, then dressed simply in lemon and Dijon. It carries all the sunny, herby character of Greek cooking — lemon, oregano, olive oil — in a form that comes in at around 290 calories a serving while still delivering more than 30 grams of protein, which is why it lands among our leanest, most energising recipes.

The orange is the twist that lifts it above a standard chicken salad, adding a sweet, juicy contrast to the peppery greens and the savoury chicken. Everything but the cooking is knife work you do while the chicken sizzles, so it is quick, and it is endlessly adaptable — add feta and olives for a fuller Greek spread, or swap the greens for whatever is crisp in the fridge. Dress it only just before eating so the leaves stay lively, and it doubles neatly as a high-protein lunch you can prep the components for in advance.

Greek Lemon Chicken Salad: frequently asked questions

Is Greek lemon chicken salad healthy?

Very — at about 290 calories with 33g of protein per serving, it is high in protein and light on calories, which is why it earns our lean and toned, energy and blood-sugar-friendly tags. The chicken breast and lemon dressing keep it fresh rather than heavy.

What dressing goes on a Greek chicken salad?

A light lemon-Dijon vinaigrette here — lemon juice whisked with a little mustard. The classic Greek base is simply olive oil, lemon and oregano; skip creamy dressings to keep it bright and lean.

What do you put in a Greek chicken salad?

Mixed greens, chicken, cucumber and red onion form the base, with orange segments here for a bright, sweet contrast. Feta, kalamata olives and cherry tomatoes are traditional additions if you want a fuller Greek salad.

Is chicken salad good for weight loss?

A chicken-and-greens salad like this one is well suited to weight loss: high protein keeps you full, the vegetables add volume and fibre for few calories, and a light lemon dressing avoids the heavy oils of creamy dressings.

What is the healthiest way to eat chicken salad?

Use lean chicken breast, plenty of leafy greens and vegetables, and dress lightly with lemon and a little olive oil rather than mayonnaise or creamy dressings. That is exactly the approach here, which is why it stays around 290 calories.

Can I make Greek chicken salad ahead?

Cook the chicken and prep the vegetables in advance, but keep the dressing separate and toss just before eating so the greens stay crisp. Dressed too early, leafy salads wilt.

What is the difference between the rice and salad versions?

The rice version uses chicken thigh in a lemon-butter sauce over rice — a hearty, comforting main. The salad version swaps in lean chicken breast over greens with a light dressing, making it much lower in calories and one of our high-protein, lean picks. See the Greek Lemon Chicken Rice →

How many calories are in Greek Lemon Chicken Salad?

A serving has about 290 calories — 33.5g protein, 14.7g carbs, 12.3g fat, 4g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.

Is it high in protein?

Each serving has about 33.5g of protein, roughly 46% of its calories.

Is Greek Lemon Chicken Salad gluten-free?

Based on its ingredients, Greek Lemon Chicken Salad has no gluten-containing components, so it's naturally gluten-free — as always, check that any packaged ingredients you use are certified gluten-free to be safe.

Do I need every ingredient to make Greek Lemon Chicken Salad?

The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out orange, cucumber, red onion — they're optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.

How many servings does Greek Lemon Chicken Salad make?

This recipe makes 2 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.