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Dairy Free
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Gluten Free
Simple Make Ahead Chicken Skewers over Greens Salad
The fun, light, and healthy Chicken Skewers over Greens Salad is perfect for summer. The colorful and crunchy greens salad is topped off with juicy, flavorful, and tender chicken which gives it a truly amazing taste. This heart-healthy salad is a crowd-pleaser that can be enjoyed as a side dish or main meal.
The fourth of July is over. That means getting back to business. Those delicious barbecues, unfortunately, need to come to a halt and we’ve got to get back on track regarding our eating habits. Detoxing and enjoying well-rounded, nutritious meals is important now, especially during the active summer months.
But that doesn’t mean our food has to be boring and lack flavor. We can make delicious recipes that are healthy, nutritious, and perfectly spiced. Also, eating skewered chicken kebabs is a more fun and less casual way to enjoy a meal, especially for kids.
I love a quick chicken salad in the summer. The blend of the ingredients of the greens salad topped with the chicken skewers makes this an amazingly delicious salad. The easy step-by-step instructions make this a perfect recipe that you can have if you’re stuck on what you make for dinner tonight and if you’re looking for a quick game day recipe during the fall football season.
The flavorful chicken kabobs over a greens salad filled with asparagus, pecans, avocados, and strawberries is the perfect example of a nutritious meal.
Here’s why you’ll love this dish
- It’s a healthy chicken recipe.
- It’s flavorful.
- The best marinade uses pantry ingredients. This recipe uses easy ingredients which are readily available from the grocery store too.
- The kabob recipe is a great source of protein.
- It can be paired with many different dishes for added nutrition. I like to serve it over a bed of mixed greens.
- The chicken kabobs recipe can be prepped ahead or assembled at the last minute.
- This chicken salad is a wonderful dish to make if you’re short on time.
- It’s a great recipe for the entire family.
This recipe really kills two birds with one stone. It’s flavorful and delicious. But it’s also healthy!
Key Ingredients for the Chicken Skewers over Greens Salad
Skinless chicken breasts: They are lean, healthy, versatile, and perfect for this salad. You can use chicken thighs instead if you prefer.
Asparagus: They have a snappy, crisp texture and mild, sweet flavor.
Mixed greens: The fresh flavors and fresh taste of the greens make this a heart-healthy salad.
Pecans: They’re nutty and sweet and add the perfect amount of crunch to this salad.
Avocados: The rich and creamy avocados make the salad more fulfilling and satisfying
Strawberries: Add that colorful red pop and fresh flavor to the salad.
Along with those ingredients, you will need tomato paste, garlic cloves, mayonnaise, salt, ground black pepper, and extra-virgin olive oil.
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
How to make Chicken Skewers over Greens Salad
Step 1: Prepare the chicken marinade
In a medium bowl combine tomato paste, mayonnaise, salt, ground pepper, and garlic clove.
Step 2: Mix the marinade and chicken
Cut chicken breast into strips. (As many as you like) then mix the marinade and chicken strips together and let it stand until ready to cook.
Step 3: Place chicken on skewers
Thread marinated chicken on metal skewers or wooden skewers (If you don’t have skewers, that’s fine.)
Step 4: Cook chicken
Heat up extra virgin olive oil in a skillet and cook chicken on all sides for 4 minutes over medium heat. If your strips are thin you may only need 2-3 minutes.
Step 5: Assemble the salad
In a salad bowl or large bowl, combine avocado, asparagus, sliced strawberries, mixed greens, and pecans. Cover and refrigerate until the chicken is ready.
Step 6: Combine, serve, and enjoy!
Top the fresh vegetable salad with chicken, serve, and enjoy!
How to store leftover chicken skewers over greens salad
- The chicken can be eaten hot, at room temperature, or cold the next day for leftovers.
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Expert Tips
- You can use a meat thermometer to test for the doneness of the chicken. You know the chicken is cooked when the thermometer reads 165°F (74°C).
- For the best chicken kabobs, marinate the chicken for at least 2-3 hours or overnight. This allows the flavors of the spices to permeate the chicken and results in a juicier, more flavorful kabob.
- Place chicken breasts in a large zip-loc bag. Add in all the ingredients for the marinade. Close the zip-loc bag and “massage” the ingredients into the chicken.
- Use a paper towel to remove excess oil if you prefer.
- Discard any leftover marinade because reusing it may cause food poisoning.
- The dressing is not required for this salad.
Recipe FAQs
Chicken skewers can be served with this big salad of salad greens or a Greek salad. It’s perfect for lunch or dinner and can be served as a side dish or main dish. If you want to make it more filling you could serve it on pita bread.
Both work just fine. Metal skewers can be reused, they’re easy to clean and sturdy. Wooden skewers are readily available and can be found in most grocery stores, make sure to buy the ones that are ⅛ inch as those can withstand heat.
Chicken is a great protein to enjoy in these amazing recipes too:
- A Chicken Cobb Salad with Dairy-Free Ranch pairs the nutrients from so many fresh ingredients all together.
- The Cajun Chicken Lunch Salad with a Simple Dressing makes for a healthy, flavorful, and nutritious lunch.
- The Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Easy Dinner Recipe which is perfectly dipped in bbq sauce will become a favorite for the entire family.
More Tasty Chicken Recipes
If you tried this Simple Make Ahead Chicken Skewers over Greens Salad or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you enjoyed it in the📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!
Simple Make Ahead Chicken Skewers over Greens Salad
Equipment
- garlic press
- small bowl
- Skewers
- salad bowl
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 1 chicken breast, boneless & skinless, cut into strips
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp mayonnaise
- ⅛ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
Salad
- ½ avocado, sliced
- 2 stalks asparagus, chopped
- 5 strawberries, sliced
- ½ cup mixed greens
- ¼ cup pecans
Salad Mix
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
For the Chicken Marinade:
- In a small bowl combine tomato paste, mayonnaise, salt, ground pepper, and garlic clove.1 Tbsp tomato paste, 1 Tbsp mayonnaise, ⅛ tsp salt, ⅛ tsp ground black pepper, 1 clove garlic,
- Cut chicken breast into strips. (As many as you like).1 chicken breast,
- Mix marinade and chicken strips together. Let stand until ready to cook.
- In a skillet heat up extra virgin olive oil. (If you want, you can put the marinated chicken on skewers. If you don't have skewers, that’s fine.) Cook chicken on all sides for 4 minutes. If your strips are thin you may only need 2-3 minutes.2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
For the Salad:
- In a salad bowl, combine avocado, asparagus, sliced strawberries, mixed greens, and pecans. Cover and refrigerate until chicken is ready.½ avocado,, 2 stalks asparagus,, 5 strawberries,, ½ cup mixed greens, ¼ cup pecans
- Add chicken to chopped vegetables and enjoy!
Notes
- You can use a meat thermometer to test for the doneness of the chicken. The chicken is cooked when the thermometer reads 165°F (74°C).
- For the best chicken kabobs, marinate the chicken for at least 2-3 hours or overnight. This allows the flavors of the spices to permeate the chicken and results in a juicier, more flavorful kabob.