This Mediterranean salad with creamy balsamic dressing is full of greens, protein and flavor! Comes together super quickly and tastes so fresh and delicious. Plus it’s healthier than most restaurants, too!
Everyday Mediterranean Salad
Whenever I’m craving a healthy and flavorful salad, this balsamic Mediterranean salad recipe is always top of mind. It’s loaded with all of my favorite ingredients and is easy to make. I also like to make a this bulgur wheat salad, a chopped salad or Italian salad.
The inspiration for this salad comes from one I would order from a Greek restaurant in Ohio. It was called the ‘Mediterranean junk salad’ and was full of fresh greens, protein and flavor! I add pita chips to my version and a homemade creamy balsamic dressing for the perfect touch of sweetness.
Creamy Balsamic Dressing
The creamy balsamic dressing is what makes this salad so delicious! Creamy dressings like this or my homemade Caesar dressing are my favorite salad dressings.
This dressing pairs perfectly with the flavors in this Mediterranean salad. You can also use a traditional balsamic dressing as well.
- Mayonnaise
- Greek yogurt
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic salt
- Maple syrup
How to Make Balsamic Mediterranean Salad
Before assembling the balsamic Mediterranean salad, cook the chicken and whisk the dressing ingredients in a small bowl until combined.
- Place lettuce into the bottom of one large bowl or 4 individual bowls.
- Add sliced grilled chicken on top.
- Top with chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, feta cheese and parsley.
- Add chickpeas and crushed pita chips.
- Drizzle balsamic dressing on top and toss until combined.
Substitutions and Variations
- I cooked my chicken in the skillet, but you could easily use baked or grilled chicken. Rotisserie chicken also works great.
- Feel free to mix in more toppings like black olives, banana peppers or avocado. You could even add a dollop of hummus, tzatziki or dill dip.
- You could use store bought balsamic if preferred. Greek salad dressing or a classic vinaigrette would also taste delicious.
- I like to use romaine lettuce, but you could swap with spring mix, kale, spinach, arugula or whatever you have on hand.
Love Mediterranean recipes? Try these other favorites including Mediterranean quinoa salad, Greek sheet pan chicken and Greek salad with chicken.
More Salad Recipes
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Mediterranean Salad Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut in half horizontally)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 8 cups romaine lettuce (spinach or spring mix)
- 2 tomatoes (sliced or diced)
- 1 cucumber (chopped)
- ½ red onion (sliced or diced)
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Creamy Balsamic Dressing
- ¼ cup mayo (or plain greek yogurt)
- 2 Tablespoons plain Greek yogurt (or mayo)
- 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 Tablespoon pure maple syrup (or honey)
S&P, to taste
Optional: Chickpeas, pita chips
Instructions
- Place the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with the Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
- Place the chicken into the pan. Cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until cooked through the center.
- Once cooked, remove from the heat and slice into thin strips once slightly cooled.
- Combine the mayo, greek yogurt, oil, vinegar, Italian seasoning, garlic salt and maple syrup in a small bowl. Whisk until combined. Salt and pepper, to taste.
- Layer the lettuce in one large bowl, or 4 individual bowls. Top with chicken, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, feta and parsley. Add chickpeas and pita chips if desired. Drizzle over the dressing over the top of the salad and toss until combined.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 30 Minute Meals, Chicken, Chicken, Dinner, Gluten-Free, Mediterranean, Salads
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
I love a big salad that is topped with so much stuff. This is such a great combo and the dressing is so good!
This looks absolutely incredible!! It’s on my meal plan for next week! :)
This tastes fantastic! I love the flavor and that I was not left wanting with this salad.
Thanks!
This salad looks so refreshing and perfect for summer! I need it in my life!
Paige
It looks really flavorful! Would love to give it a try this weekend!
YUM!!! I love this delicious version!!!
This salad looks so good and that dressing!!!! YUM!
I love salads with balsamic dressing! This is going into my regular rotation!
I can’t wait to try this!!
Thanks :)
Perfect healthy and delicious lunch! And so pretty too!
Such a gorgeous salad! Love the Mediterranean flavors!
what an absolutely gorgeous salad! It truly looks better than any restaurant salad, and like you said, I’m sure much better! So colorful – lovely!
great salad, thank you, but love these other links too, strawberry burrata a very creative set of flavors, glad it was linked here since I missed it
This looks packed full of flavor! Yum!
Totally pinning this one! I love a good Mediterranean salad!
Seriously so gorgeous! Love the flavors too!
I love Mediterranean flavors – this salad looks so light and fresh! Pinning for later :)