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top view of grilled chicken salad in a wooden bowl
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5 from 3 votes

Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken Salad

This Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken Salad is tender marinated chicken that’s grilled to perfection then served over baby spinach with cherry tomatoes, corn and avocado. A hearty salad that’s packed with flavor and also happens to be full of nutrition.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Marinating time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 25 minutes
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: Mexican, tex mex
Diet: Gluten Free, Low Calorie
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Rena

Ingredients

  • 1 lb boneless chicken breasts

Marinade and dressing:

  • 1 bunch cilantro
  • 4 garlic cloves peeled
  • 1 lime juiced
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 4 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 jalapeño or red chili seeded and coarsely chopped
  • 1 small red onion thinly sliced
  • Kosher salt and pepper to taste

Salad:

  • 4 cups baby spinach
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/2 cup corn kernels
  • 1 large avocado diced

Instructions

  • To a small food processor add all the marinade/dressing ingredients and pulse until almost smooth.
  • In a bowl place the chicken breast and add 2 tablespoons of the marinade. Transfer the remaining marinade (without touching the raw meat) in a small jar and refrigerate.
  • Refrigerate the chicken for 1 hour to overnight. Just before cooking it, remove from the fridge and allow it to sit over the counter for 20 minutes to reach room temp.
  • Preheat an outdoor grill or a grill pan over medium heat. Grill the chicken breast until nicely charred and cooked through, for around 12-14 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a large salad bowl add all the salad ingredients.
  • Once the chicken is done cooking, place it on a chopping board and allow it to sit until ready to handle. Slice and add it to the salad bowl.
  • Drizzle the salad with the remaining marinade from the jar. Toss to combine and serve.

Notes

  • Protein: Instead of chicken, try the grilled steak, salmon, or shrimp.
  • Greens: Swap out the baby spinach for romaine or a mixed greens blend. Kale or arugula will also work just fine.
  • Vegetables: You can absolutely add other vegetables to the mix, some suggestions included grilled veggies such as asparagus, zucchini, or bell peppers. Marinated artichoke hearts or black olives are also a nice addition.
  • Cheese: A sprinkle of cheese on top is so tasty. We recommend shredded Mexican cheese or cheddar.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 383kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 789mg | Potassium: 1022mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 3193IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 2mg