Summer is the perfect time for light, refreshing dinners that won’t weigh you down, and this salad is just that! With vibrant colors and fresh flavors, it feels like a burst of sunshine on your plate. I absolutely love how easy it is to throw together after a long day or when I’m entertaining friends. It’s packed with protein from the grilled chicken and loads of nutrients from the veggies, making it a wholesome option. Plus, it’s so visually appealing that it always impresses! Trust me, this is one of my go-to summer dinner recipes that everyone will adore.
Ingredients List
- 2 cups of mixed greens (washed and dried)
- 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 cup of grilled chicken, sliced
- 1/4 cup of feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup of balsamic vinaigrette
How to Prepare Instructions
Making this delightful salad is a breeze, and I’m here to guide you through each step! Just follow along, and you’ll have a refreshing summer dinner on the table in no time.
Step 1: Prepare the Greens
First things first, rinse those mixed greens under cold water to get rid of any dirt or grit. I like to give them a gentle spin in a salad spinner to dry them off—this keeps the salad from getting soggy. If you don’t have a spinner, just pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.
Step 2: Combine Vegetables
In a large bowl, toss together the washed mixed greens, halved cherry tomatoes, and diced cucumber. The colors are just so vibrant! I love to mix them gently to avoid bruising the greens.
Step 3: Add Protein and Toppings
Now, it’s time to jazz it up! Add the sliced avocado and grilled chicken on top. And don’t forget to sprinkle that crumbled feta cheese—it’s like the cherry on top of this salad!
Step 4: Dress the Salad
Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette over the salad. Here’s my tip: start with a little and add more to taste! Then, gently toss everything together. You want to coat the ingredients without squishing them.
Step 5: Serve
And voilà! Serve your salad immediately for the best taste. You’ll want to enjoy that freshness right away, trust me!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick preparation: You can whip this up in just 25 minutes—perfect for busy summer evenings!
- Refreshing flavors: The combination of fresh veggies and tangy balsamic vinaigrette creates a light, zesty taste that’s oh-so-satisfying.
- Health benefits: Packed with lean protein from the chicken and a variety of vitamins from the veggies, this salad is not just delicious but also nutritious.
- Customizable: You can easily swap in your favorite ingredients or whatever you have on hand, making it a versatile go-to meal.
- Visually appealing: The colorful ingredients make this salad a feast for the eyes, sure to impress your guests or family!
Nutritional Information
Here’s a quick look at the estimated nutritional values for one serving of this refreshing salad. It’s about 350 calories, with 20 grams of fat (5 grams of saturated fat), and 25 grams of protein—perfect for a light dinner! You’ll also get 20 grams of carbohydrates and 5 grams of fiber, which is fantastic for digestion. Remember, these values are estimates, but they give you a good idea of what you’re enjoying with this delicious summer dinner recipe!
Tips for Success
To make sure your salad turns out absolutely perfect, here are some of my favorite pro tips! First off, don’t skimp on the fresh ingredients—quality really makes a difference in flavor. If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding some crunchy bell peppers or radishes for an extra bite! You can also swap the grilled chicken for shrimp or even chickpeas if you want to keep it vegetarian; both options are fantastic.
Another tip: if you’re prepping ahead of time, keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to serve. This keeps everything crisp and fresh! And if you want to take it up a notch, consider marinating your chicken in a bit of lemon juice and herbs before grilling—it adds that extra zing! Lastly, don’t forget to taste as you go—seasoning is key, and every ingredient deserves a moment in the spotlight.
Variations
The beauty of this salad lies in its versatility! You can easily customize it to fit your taste or whatever you have on hand. Here are some of my favorite variations:
- Vegetable Medley: Toss in some sliced bell peppers, shredded carrots, or even roasted corn for added color and crunch. The more veggies, the merrier!
- Protein Power: Swap the grilled chicken for grilled shrimp, tofu, or even a hearty scoop of quinoa for a vegetarian twist. Each option brings its unique flavor!
- Cheese Lovers: If feta isn’t your thing, try crumbled goat cheese or shredded mozzarella instead. They melt beautifully in the salad and add a creamy touch.
- Nuts & Seeds: Add a handful of toasted walnuts, almonds, or sunflower seeds for an extra crunch and a boost of healthy fats. Yum!
- Herb Infusion: Fresh herbs like basil, cilantro, or parsley can elevate the flavor profile. Just chop them up and sprinkle them in for that fresh taste!
Feel free to mix and match these ideas! The possibilities are endless, and that’s what makes this salad so fun to make. Enjoy experimenting!
Serving Suggestions
This salad is so delightful on its own, but if you want to make it a complete summer dinner, here are some fantastic ideas to serve alongside it! You could whip up some grilled corn on the cob, brushed with a little butter and sprinkle of salt—it’s sweet and smoky, perfect for those warm nights.
Another option is to pair it with some crusty garlic bread or a warm baguette to soak up any leftover balsamic vinaigrette. Trust me, it’s hard to resist! If you’re in the mood for something heartier, consider serving it with a light pasta dish, like lemon garlic spaghetti, which complements the salad beautifully.
And don’t forget about dessert! A scoop of sorbet or a refreshing fruit salad would wrap up your meal perfectly, keeping the light and fruity theme going. Whatever you choose, this salad will shine as the star of your summer dinner!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
If you happen to have leftovers (which is rare because this salad is so delicious!), storing them properly is key to keeping those fresh flavors intact. First, make sure to transfer any remaining salad into an airtight container. This helps maintain the crispness of the greens and prevents them from wilting. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Just remember, the longer it sits, the softer the vegetables will become, especially if you’ve dressed the salad.
When it comes to reheating, here’s the scoop: I recommend enjoying this salad cold, as the refreshing flavors really shine that way. If you do want to warm up any protein like chicken, you can pop it in the microwave for about 30 seconds to a minute, but be careful not to overheat it! Just add it back to your salad once it’s warmed through. Trust me, this salad is best enjoyed fresh and chilled, so dig in while it’s still at its prime!
Drucken
Summer dinner recipes: 5 Fresh Ideas to Impress Guests
- Gesamtzeit: 25 minutes
- Ertrag: 4 servings 1x
- Ernährung: Glutenfrei
Beschreibung
A refreshing summer dinner recipe that is light and easy to prepare.
Zutaten
- 2 cups of mixed greens
- 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 cup of grilled chicken, sliced
- 1/4 cup of feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup of balsamic vinaigrette
Anweisungen
- Wash and dry the mixed greens.
- In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber.
- Add sliced avocado and grilled chicken.
- Sprinkle feta cheese on top.
- Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette and toss gently.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Feel free to add other vegetables.
- Use leftover chicken to save time.
- Keep it vegetarian by omitting chicken.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Kochen Zeit: 10 minutes
- Kategorie: Salad
- Methode: Tossing
- Küche: American
Ernährung
- Portionsgröße: 1 bowl
- Kalorien: 350
- Zucker: 5g
- Natrium: 300mg
- Fett: 20g
- Gesättigte Fettsäuren: 5g
- Ungesättigte Fette: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Kohlenhydrate: 20g
- Faser: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterin: 60mg
Keywords: summer dinner recipes
