Quick Pan-Seared Chicken Salad (Printable Version)

Juicy seared chicken served warm over crisp greens with a tangy dressing for a light, satisfying meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 10.5 ounces)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - ½ teaspoon kosher salt
04 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
05 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
06 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

→ Salad Greens

07 - 4 cups mixed salad greens (e.g., arugula, baby spinach, romaine)
08 - ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
09 - ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
10 - ½ cucumber, thinly sliced
11 - ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

→ Dressing

12 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
13 - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
14 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
15 - ½ teaspoon honey
16 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides evenly with kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side until the exterior is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove from heat and let rest for 2 to 3 minutes.
03 - While the chicken rests, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
04 - In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, cucumber, and optional crumbled feta. Drizzle with the prepared dressing and toss gently to coat.
05 - Slice the rested chicken thinly and arrange it over the dressed greens. Serve immediately for optimal freshness.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The chicken stays impossibly juicy when you nail the sear, and it's faster than you'd think.
  • You can throw it together with whatever vegetables are lurking in your crisper drawer.
  • It tastes restaurant-quality but feels completely achievable on a regular Tuesday night.
02 -
  • Skipping the drying step will cost you that beautiful sear—wet chicken steams instead of browns, and it changes everything.
  • Resting the chicken for even a couple of minutes makes an enormous difference in how tender it tastes; rushing this step is not worth the trade-off.
03 -
  • Don't skip getting the pan properly hot; a medium-high heat that waits for the oil to shimmer is the difference between a sear and a stew.
  • If your chicken breasts are thicker than three-quarters of an inch, gently pound them to an even thickness so they cook through at the same rate.
Go Back