Grilled chicken and veggies
grilled chicken and mediterranean couscous salad
By:
Published:
15 Jun 2025
I remember the first time I made this salad. It was a sweltering summer afternoon, and I was craving something light, refreshing, and packed with flavor. After rummaging through my fridge and pantry, I stumbled upon some couscous, a forgotten cucumber, and a vibrant red bell pepper. Inspiration struck, and the Grilled Chicken and Mediterranean Couscous Salad was born. It's been a family favorite ever since! It's kinda funny, sometimes the best recipes come from just making do with what you have on hand. Don't be afraid to experiment!
This salad is a symphony of flavors and textures. Tender grilled chicken, fluffy couscous, crisp veggies, salty feta, and a bright lemon-herb dressing—it's a party in your mouth! Plus, it's incredibly easy to make and can be customized to your liking. Swap out the veggies, add different herbs, or use a different cheese. The possibilities are endless. One of my friends told me they even added some kalamata olives. Said it gave it a great briny taste, so that's something you might want to try!
Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue, packing a picnic lunch, or simply looking for a healthy and delicious weeknight meal, this Grilled Chicken and Mediterranean Couscous Salad is the perfect choice. I swear, every time I make it, there are never any leftovers! And that's always a good sign. Think about it, what does this mean for you? It means you get to eat something delicious, AND you get to look like a rockstar chef!
Required Equipments
- Grill
- Large Bowl
- Small Bowl
- Whisk
- Cutting Board
- Chef's Knife
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
Grilled Chicken and Mediterranean Couscous Salad: Frequently Asked Questions
Grilled Chicken and Mediterranean Couscous Salad
A light and flavorful salad featuring grilled chicken, fluffy couscous, fresh Mediterranean vegetables, and a tangy lemon-herb dressing. Perfect for a summer lunch or a healthy dinner.
⏳ Yield & Time
Yield: 4 servings
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time:
🍽 Ingredients
📖 Instructions
- First things first, let's get the couscous cooking. Bring 1 1/2 cups of water or chicken broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in 1 cup of couscous, remove from heat, cover, and let it sit for 5 minutes. Fluff it up with a fork and set aside to cool.
- Now for the marinade! In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1 clove of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. This is gonna make our chicken sing!
- Time to prep the chicken. Pat 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps them get nice and crispy on the grill. Place the chicken in a resealable bag or dish and pour the marinade over it. Make sure every piece is coated. Let it marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or even better, a couple of hours. The longer, the tastier!
- While the chicken is marinating, let's chop some veggies. Dice 1 cucumber, 1 red bell pepper, and 1/2 a red onion. Halve 1 pint of cherry tomatoes. These colors are gonna pop in our salad!
- Grab a handful of fresh parsley and mint. Roughly chop them. Fresh herbs always make everything better. Trust me.
- Alright, let's preheat that grill to medium-high heat. Make sure those grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking. Nobody wants a chicken disaster.
- Take the marinated chicken out of the fridge and let any excess marinade drip off. Place the chicken breasts on the preheated grill. Grill for about 6-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to be sure! Nobody wants undercooked chicken.
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. This helps keep it juicy. Slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Now for the fun part: assembly! In a large bowl, combine the cooled couscous, diced cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped parsley, and chopped mint. Give it a good toss.
- Add 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese to the couscous mixture. Because, feta. And stir in 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Give it another gentle toss.
- Finally, add the sliced grilled chicken to the bowl and gently toss everything together. Make sure the chicken is evenly distributed throughout the salad.
- Serve immediately or chill for later. This salad is great warm or cold. Garnish with a little extra feta and fresh herbs if you're feeling fancy. Enjoy!
📝 Notes
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinade.
- Feel free to add other veggies like Kalamata olives or artichoke hearts.
- If you don't have fresh herbs, dried herbs can be used. Use about 1 teaspoon of each.
🍎 Nutrition
Calories: 450 kcal
Protein: 30 g
Fat: 20 g
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Fiber: 5 g
Calcium: 150 mg
