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Greek Chicken Salad Bowls

Greek chicken salad bowls with feta olives and crisp cucumbers close up

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These Greek chicken salad bowls are a vibrant and satisfying meal featuring juicy lemon-oregano chicken served over a bed of grains with fresh vegetables and a tangy vinaigrette. The secret is a quick brine for the chicken, ensuring it stays moist and flavorful. It’s a perfect balance of cozy and crisp for an easy weeknight dinner or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 2 cups warm water (for brine)
  • 2 tbsp salt (for brine)
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon (for brine)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil (for marinade)
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (for marinade)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (for marinade)
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano (for marinade)
  • 1 tsp salt (for marinade)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper (for marinade)
  • 1/3 cup olive oil (for vinaigrette)
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar (for vinaigrette)
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (for vinaigrette)
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard (for vinaigrette)
  • 1 tsp dried oregano (for vinaigrette)
  • 1/2 tsp salt (for vinaigrette)
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper (for vinaigrette)
  • 4 cups cooked rice, quinoa, or couscous
  • 1 English cucumber, diced
  • 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
  • 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
  • Fresh parsley or dill, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Brine the chicken: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups warm water, 2 tbsp salt, and the juice of half a lemon until salt dissolves. Submerge the chicken in the brine and let sit for 15-20 minutes.
  2. Marinate the chicken: While chicken brines, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 3 tbsp lemon juice, minced garlic, 1 tbsp oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper in a separate dish. After brining, pat chicken dry, add to marinade, and turn to coat. Let marinate while you prep other components.
  3. Make the vinaigrette: In a small jar or bowl, combine 1/3 cup olive oil, red wine vinegar, 2 tbsp lemon juice, Dijon mustard, 1 tsp oregano, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Shake or whisk vigorously until emulsified. Set aside.
  4. Prep the veggies: Dice the cucumber, halve the tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion, and crumble the feta cheese.
  5. Cook the chicken: Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F and exterior is golden brown. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes.
  6. Assemble the bowls: Slice the rested chicken against the grain. Divide the cooked grain among four bowls. Top with sliced chicken, diced cucumber, halved tomatoes, sliced onion, and olives. Sprinkle with crumbled feta and fresh herbs. Drizzle with lemon-oregano vinaigrette just before serving.

Notes

For best results, do not skip resting the chicken after cooking. Store components separately for meal prep; assemble just before eating to maintain texture. The brine step is optional but highly recommended for juicier chicken.

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