This fresh and flavourful salad can be tossed together in less than 5 minutes. It’s the perfect combination of crunch, creaminess and flavour. This salad is a great side dish or even main dish when topped with a protein. A perfect go-to healthy salad when working at home!
Recipe has been updated and changed January 2022. If you are looking for a delicious Mediterranean Chicken Salad recipe I recommend this one I recently created.
This 5-minute salad recipe can easily be tossed together when you need a quick side salad or snack. It’s a combination of cucumber, cherry tomatoes, avocado and basil. This salad is the perfect combination of crunch, creaminess and flavour. I love topping it with meal prepped greek chicken to boost the protein content and eat it for lunch or dinner. It makes the perfect work from home lunch!
How to Make this Easy 5-Minute Salad
- Toss the 4 fresh salad ingredients in a bowl.
2. Add vinaigrette ingredients to a small jar or bowl and mix. (this is totally optional, I have made this salad many times without the vinaigrette and it still tastes delicious). Store the leftover vinaigrette in the fridge for about a week.
3. Toss salad with 1 tbsp of vinaigrette.
4. Optional: Top salad with greek chicken marinade. Or top with tofu or quinoa for a good vegetarian protein option.
Meal Prep
Here are some ways you can speed up making this recipe even more!
- Cucumber and cherry tomatoes can be pre-chopped (not necessary but can help even more with time).
- Make the vinaigrette recipe ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for about a week. Use throughout the week in this salad or even try it with this Refreshing Quinoa Salad.
- Meal prep the greek chicken marinade, and store in fridge. Toss salad ingredients together and top with chicken. So quick and easy!
Greek Chicken Marinade
How to make Greek Chicken Marinade
Place all ingredients in a sealable plastic or reusable bag. Place in fridge overnight (or for at least 2 hours). Marinated chicken should be cooked within 24 hours for proper food safe handling.
Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F and place chicken and marinade in a baking dish for about 20 minutes (or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F).
Air Fryer: Place chicken breasts in air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for about 12-15 minutes (or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F).
Can I freeze this marinade
Yes, prepare the marinade as directed above by placing all ingredients in a sealable plastic or reusable bag. Remove as much air as you can from the sealable bag. Label (with title and date) and place in freezer for up to 3 months. Properly thaw before cooking then follow cooking directions as indicated in recipe card.
Other salad recipes to try
PrintEasy 5-Minute Salad
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This fresh and flavourful salad can be tossed together in less than 5 minutes. It makes the perfect side dish or even main dish when topped with a protein. A perfect go-to healthy salad for working at home!
Ingredients
Salad
- 1/2 cucumber, chopped
- about 15 cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes), sliced in half
- 1/2 avocado, pitted and chopped
- 1 tbsp. fresh basil, chopped
Vinaigrette*
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Greek Chicken Marinade**
- 3 chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp. fresh thyme
- 1 tsp. fresh oregano
- 1 tsp. fresh parsley
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
Instructions
- Add salad ingredients to a bowl.
- Add vinaigrette ingredients to small jar or bowl and mix.
- Toss 1 tbsp of vinaigrette with salad ingredients.
- Top with cooked chicken pieces or a vegetarian protein (optional).
Greek Chicken Marinade Directions:
- Oven: Place all ingredients in a sealable plastic or reusable bag. Place in fridge overnight (or for at least 2 hours). Preheat oven to 400°F and place chicken and marinade in a baking dish for about 20 minutes (or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F).
- Air Fryer: Place all ingredients in a sealable plastic or reusable bag. Place in fridge overnight (or for at least 2 hours). Place chicken breasts in air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for about 12-15 minutes (or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F).
Notes
*You only need about 1 tbsp of the vinaigrette. Store the leftovers in the fridge and use throughout the week.
**Meal prep the greek chicken ahead of time and simply toss in the salad when ready to eat.
- Nutrition facts below only include salad ingredients (no vinaigrette or chicken). Please see greek chicken marinade nutrition facts here.
- Marinated chicken should be cooked within 24 hours for proper food safe handling.
- Prep Time: 5
- Category: Side dish
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