Grilled Chicken Salad Recipe

Peeps, this juicy Grilled Chicken Salad is a perfect summertime backyard meal. Grilling is always popular in the summer, I mean who doesn’t love a fresh, grilled burger or a nice grilled barbeque meal.

The good news about this is that you can make it using an indoor grill or grill pan in colder months so it is one of those chicken salads you can eat all year long.

But sometimes, I just want a light and healthy meal and this easy Grilled Chicken Salad recipe hits the spot every time. Its is a hearty salad with a delicious dressing everyone will love.

Picture how easy it is to throw this healthy salad together and then finish it off by grilling these Asian chicken skewers and tossing them on the salad to bring a nice tasty dose of protein to the mix. It’s light, it’s fresh, it’s filling and it’s oh soooooo delicious. 

No need to grab takeout tonight folks, just grab these fixings to make your salad and get some chicken ready to grill. Marinade the chicken early in the afternoon and by the time you’re ready for dinner, it’s just a few minutes on the grill and you’ll have dinner on the table.

This is a great recipe for a summer salad just like this Grilled Shrimp Salad or this lovely Crab Kani Salad or colorful Chopped Rainbow Veggie Salad.

Why Make This Recipe

• Light and healthy fresh meals that’s perfect for hot weather – the whole family will love it.
• Flavorful Asian inspired salad with tangy Asian salad dressing.
• This can be a main course salad or side salad.
• This grill chicken salad Super simple to make!
• Grilling means easier cleanup and no oven heating up the kitchen.
• Great way to use up leftover chicken and more

Ingredient Notes

• Chicken – I prefer boneless chicken thighs for this as these do not dry out easily. You can use boneless skinless chicken breasts but brine these before hand so they stay juicy.
• Gluten free soy sauce – you can use regular soy sauce if not following a gluten free diet.
• Coconut milk – this uses coconut milk from a tin. I used full fat coconut milk for this but to cut the calories you can use half fat version.
• Lime juice – fresh squeezed lime juice give the best flavour. Freshly squeezed lemon juice works too.
• Maple syrup – this can be easily substituted with honey.
• Flavors – minced garlic, minced ginger and sesame oil complete this. Feel free to use garlic powder or ginger powder instead.
• Salad ingredients – use your favorite greens like romaine lettuce, cucumber, grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, radishes and pomegranate seeds. Add other salad treats that you like in the salad bowl too.

Readty to gather up your ingredients so I can show you…..

How To Make Grilled Chicken Salad

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

1. Mix together gluten free soy sauce, coconut milk, lime juice, maple syrup, sesame oil, garlic and ginger in a medium bowl.
2. Add meat and let chicken marinate for at least 2 hours (up to overnight). 
3. Soak bamboo skewers for 30 minutes and then thread chicken onto skewers.
4. Oil the grill grates using something like olive oil or vegetable oil, then preheat the grill (or grill pan) to medium high (direct heat).
5. Grill chicken for 10-15 minutes, turning them a couple of times, and brushing on more marinade until golden and cooked through. (Make sure to use your meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degree F / 74 degrees C ).
6. You can reduce the remaining dressing / marinade in a saucepan over low heat until it thickens, and brush it over the cooked chicken for extra flavor. 
7. Mix together your salad. Take grilled chicken off skewers and place on top of salad.
8. Make your salad dressing as shown below and add salad dressing to your taste.

And your salad is complete.

How To Make Chicken Salad Dressing

Making this Asian Coconut Grilled Chicken Salad Dressing is literally the easiest thing ever.

1. Place all the ingredients into a small bowl, and mix for a few seconds until combined.
2. Serve immediately or store in the fridge for up to a week.

Recipe Tips

• To reduce calories, you can use lite or half-fat coconut milk. 
• The longer you marinate the chicken, the more time it has to absorb the flavors. The flavors may seem strong in the marinade bowl, but don’t be alarmed, they’re perfect once they’re done grilling. 
• Don’t forget to cut chicken in evenly sized pieces so they cook evenly. 
• I recommend oiling the grill grates to help prevent the chicken from sticking to the grates, prior to turning on the grill, so you don’t get burned. Alternatively, you can preheat the grill and then oil it, just be very careful. 
• You can even use metal skewers which transmit heat well for grilling. 
• Wait to toss the salad in the dressing until you’re ready to eat so the lettuce doesn’t start to wilt or get soggy. 

Delicious Recipe Variations

This Coconut Lime Grilled Chicken Salad recipe is easily adaptable. 

• Change out the chicken: I use skinless chicken thighs, but you can use chicken breasts. You just have to make sure you don’t overcook it and dry it out. You can even try grilled shrimp, salmon or pork or grilled steak .
• Change out the vegetables: try zucchini, avocado, red onion or peppers, grilled corn in this salad too. It goes great with additional grilled veggies too.
• Change out the crunch: try sesame seeds, chia seeds or chopped almonds. 
• Vary the sharpness – I have used red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar in a pinch when I dont have citrus juice.
• Use leftovers – if you have grilled chicken breast then use this instead.
• Add more heat – using extra chili or chipotle and a touch of dijon mustard.

Prep Ahead And Storage

Prep Ahead – This chicken is so simple to make on the grill with so much flavor and tastes amazing. And the salad takes just a few minutes to whip up.

Store – Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I’d recommend separating the chicken and dressing from the salad unless you’re okay with the salad mix getting soggy.

Freeze – You can freeze the uncooked chicken in the marinade. Follow the handy tips below on how to freeze this.

• Transfer chicken and marinade into these convenient Ziploc freezer bags.
• Squeeze out all the extra air and seal the bags.
• Label the bags and then lay them flat in the freezer.
• Store in the freezer for three months.

FAQs

More Grill Recipes

Also please do check out more grilling recipes below.

• Grilled Chicken Tenders.
• Grilled Chicken Salad.
• Honey Bourbon Grilled Chicken Thighs.
• Grilled Mackerel.
• How To Grill Steak.
• Grilled Lamb Kabobs.
• Grilled Lamb Tacos.
• Grilled Lamb Steaks.
• Stuffed Grilled Avocado.
• Easy Grilled Peaches.
• Best Grilled Baked Potato. 
• Air Fryer Veggie Kabobs.
• Cilantro Lime Shrimp Skewers.
• Grilled Shrimp Skewers.
• Grilled Shrimp Salad.
• Easy Watermelon Skewers.
• Bacon and Chicken Skewers.
• Grilled Whole Chicken.

Serving Suggestions

Beat the summer heat and pair your grilled chicken salad with these refreshing recipes:

• Instat Pot Rice.
• Instant Pot Iced Tea.
• Corn Pudding Casserole.

More Salad Recipes

• Crab Kani Salad – Delicious Japanese salad.
• Southern Grape Salad – A well loved Southern salad.
• Instant Pot Beets Salad. – so so easy.

Weight Watchers Points 

There are 8 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Tools You Need

• Mixing bowls.
• Measuring cups and spoons.
• Bamboo skewers or metal ones
• A grill.
• An Air Fryer if preferred.
• Quick read digital thermometer.

Thank you for reading my Asian Grilled Chicken Salad recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

Get The Lime Coconut Asian Grilled Chicken Salad Recipe: