This Keto Balsamic Chicken Salad is a delicious way to get healthy fats and tons of vegetables into your diet.
Have you ever stumbled upon a recipe that's so irresistibly tasty and healthy you just can't wait to try it? Well, that's exactly what you've found here with our Keto Balsamic Chicken Salad! This delightful dish is bound to become your go-to meal for a nourishing, satisfying, and oh-so-flavorful experience.
Why is this salad such a superstar, you ask? For starters, it fits perfectly within the guidelines of a ketogenic diet: low in carbs while rich in healthy fats and protein. So, you can enjoy this delightful meal without any guilt and keep your keto journey on track.
But the excitement doesn't end there! This salad is also a nutritional powerhouse, packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to keep your body in tip-top shape. You'll love how every bite tantalizes your taste buds and nourishes you from within.
And the cherry on top? This recipe is incredibly adaptable. Feel free to switch up the ingredients, experiment with seasonings, and create a personalized masterpiece that's uniquely yours. With so much to offer, there's no reason not to make this Keto Balsamic Chicken Salad a regular part of your meal rotation!
Jump to:
- Preparation and cooking overview
- Is balsamic vinegar keto-friendly?
- Preparation and Cooking Time
- Chef's note
- Ingredients for this Keto Balsamic Chicken Salad recipe
- Chicken
- Salad
- Dressing
- Ingredient substitutions
- How to make Balsamic Chicken Salad: step-by-step guide
- Storage and reheating instructions
- Storage
- Leftover reheating methods and best practices
- Recipe wrap-up and conclusion
- Frequently asked questions
- 📖 Recipe
Preparation and cooking overview
This Keto Balsamic Chicken Salad is as easy as one-two-yum! First, marinate and grill the chicken, infusing it with delectable balsamic flavors. Next, assemble the salad using fresh, nutrient-dense ingredients that will satisfy your taste buds and supply your body with essential nutrients. That's it! You're on your way to a fabulous, healthy meal.
Is balsamic vinegar keto-friendly?
Yes, balsamic vinegar is generally considered keto-friendly, as it contains a small number of carbs that can fit within a keto diet's daily carb limit. However, it's essential to keep in mind that balsamic vinegar's carb content can vary depending on the brand and quality.
A high-quality, traditional balsamic vinegar will have a lower carb count than a cheaper or commercial version, which may have added sugars. Always check the nutritional label for carb and sugar content to ensure that you're using keto-friendly balsamic vinegar.
Balsamic Vinegar is healthy and gluten-free as well.
Preparation and Cooking Time
This delightful Low Carb Balsamic Chicken Salad can be prepared and cooked quickly, allowing you to enjoy a nutritious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Chef's note
As you dive into this keto recipe, remember that it's more than just a meal; it's an opportunity to unleash your inner chef and explore the boundless world of flavors and textures. So, don't be afraid to experiment and make this recipe your own!
And if you're looking for a little fun fact to impress your friends and family, here's one for you: balsamic vinegar is a true culinary treasure, originating from Modena, Italy, and dating back to the Middle Ages. It's made from grape must (freshly crushed grape juice) and aged in wooden barrels, resulting in a rich, complex flavor that elevates any dish it graces.
Now, armed with this tidbit of knowledge, you can share the joy of the Keto Balsamic Grilled Chicken Salad and its fascinating history with those you love. So, get your apron on, fire up that grill, and let the mouthwatering adventure begin!
Ingredients for this Keto Balsamic Chicken Salad recipe
Organize your ingredients as follows:
Chicken
Salad
Dressing
Ingredient substitutions
If you need to substitute or vary some ingredients, consider these options:
Chicken
Avocado oil
Italian seasoning
Feta cheese
Salad greens
Dressing
Additional Ingredients
For an extra punch of flavor, you can add these additional ingredients to your salad:
Keep in mind, though, that adding some of these ingredients might affect the keto-friendliness of the dish. Adjust your daily carb count accordingly and enjoy the enhanced flavors of your customized Keto Balsamic Chicken Salad Recipe.
How to make Balsamic Chicken Salad: step-by-step guide
Preparation steps
- Gather all the required ingredients and cooking tools.
- Thoroughly wash the salad greens, Roma tomato, and red onion. Pat dry using a clean kitchen towel.
- Slice the red onion thinly.
- Dice the avocado and Roma tomato.
- Measure out the feta cheese, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Mince the garlic cloves.
Instructions
- Combine the chicken ingredients in a ziplock bag or airtight container and marinate in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours or as little as 30 minutes.
- Once the chicken has marinated, heat your cast iron grill pan over high heat, grill chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until grill lines develop and the internal temperature reaches 165° F.
- Let the chicken rest while you prepare the dressing and salads. For the dressing, simply place all of the ingredients into a small jar and shake to combine. Divide the greens between two bowls and top with red onion, feta, tomato, and avocado.
- Slice the chicken and place it on top of the salad. Drizzle with dressing and serve.
How to make it healthier
To make this already healthy Keto Salad even healthier, consider the following options:
Time-saving tips
To save time while preparing this delicious and nutritious meal, try these tips:
What can I prepare ahead of time?
To streamline your cooking process, you can prepare the following items ahead of time:
Serving size suggestions
This recipe makes two generous servings, perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner. To adjust the serving size, simply increase or decrease the ingredient quantities accordingly. For a lighter meal, consider reducing the amount of chicken, avocado, or feta cheese and increasing the quantity of salad greens and other low-carb vegetables.
Nutritional facts
Keto Balsamic Chicken Salad
Amount Per Serving
- Calories 521
- Calories from Fat 378
- % Daily Value
- Fat 42g 65%
- Saturated Fat 8g 50%
- Cholesterol 71mg 24%
- Sodium 1510mg 66%
- Potassium 666mg 19%
- Carbohydrates 11g 4%
- Fiber 2g 8%
- Sugar 5g 6%
- Protein 23g 46%
- Vitamin A 1769IU 35%
- Vitamin C 36mg 44%
- Calcium 176mg 18%
- Iron 3mg 17%
Nutritional values are estimates only and do not include carbs from sugar alcohols.
Storage and reheating instructions
Storage
Storing leftovers of this keto chicken salad recipe is a piece of cake (or, shall we say, a slice of avocado?). Just follow these simple steps to ensure your leftover salad stays fresh and ready to enjoy later:
The best leftover storage option is keeping the components separate, so you can easily mix and match them when you dive in for round two.
Leftover reheating methods and best practices
When it comes to reheating, there are a few methods to choose from:
Avoid overcooking when reheating the grilled chicken, as it can result in dry, tough meat. As for the salad greens and dressing, there's no need to reheat them – simply combine them with the warm chicken and enjoy.
Recipe wrap-up and conclusion
This Keto Balsamic Chicken Salad is an irresistible mix of flavors and textures, perfect for keeping your taste buds dancing and your body nourished. From marinating the chicken in a heavenly balsamic mixture to assembling a refreshing salad with a tangy dressing, this recipe is not only delicious but also a breeze to prepare.
So, why not treat yourself to a keto-friendly feast that will leave you feeling satisfied and healthy? Remember, this recipe is all about adaptability and creativity, so don't be shy to experiment and make it your own. After all, the kitchen is your playground, and your taste buds are your loyal playmates.
Go ahead, channel your inner keto chef, and whip up this delightful dish. We promise it'll be love at first bite (and second, and third...). And who knows? You might dream of balsamic-marinated chicken dancing through fields of crisp salad greens. We won't judge – we've been there too.
Now, grab your apron, fire up the grill, and let the flavors of this Keto Balsamic Chicken Salad sweep you off your feet. Bon appétit!
Frequently asked questions
📖 Recipe
Keto Balsamic Chicken Salad
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 6 ounces chicken breast
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 cloves garlic minced
Salad:
- 6 cups salad greens
- ½ small red onion thinly sliced
- ¼ cup crumbled feta
- 1 avocado diced
- 1 Roma tomato diced
Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Combine the chicken ingredients in a ziplock bag or airtight container and marinate in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours or as little as 30 minutes.
- Once the chicken has marinated heat your cast iron grill pan over high heat, grill chicken 4-5 minutes per side until grill lines develop and the internal temperature reacher 165° F.
- Let the chicken rest while you prepare the dressing and salads. For the dressing simply place all of the ingredients into a small jar and shake to combine. Divide the greens between two bowls and top with red onion, feta, tomato, and avocado.
- Slice the chicken and place on top of the salads. Drizzle with dressing and serve.
Anna says
This salad is delicious! I used goat cheese instead since I didn’t have feta. I had it over a couple of days (keeping dressing on the side) and it kept getting better and better!
Barbara mahnke says
I amped this up by adding a can of artichokes and a pile of grape tomatoes! Awesome salad now in regular rotation. The chicken is delicious by itself too.