Mediterranean Chicken Lentil Salad Recipe
This Mediterranean Chicken Lentil Salad is a fresh, vibrant, and protein-packed dish perfect for a nutritious lunch or light dinner. Combining tender shredded chicken, hearty lentils, and a bright mix of herbs and vegetables, it’s tossed in a zesty lemon-oregano dressing that brings the flavors of the Mediterranean to your table. Easy to prepare and versatile, this salad can be enjoyed immediately or stored for meal prep throughout the week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie, poached, or roasted)
- 1 can lentils (15 oz / 400 g can – rinsed well and drained, or 1½ cups / 230 g cooked lentils)
- 2 medium vine tomatoes, finely diced (seeds removed if watery)
- 2 packed cups flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- ½ cup mint (optional) or dill, finely chopped
- 3 green onions, finely chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon mustard (Dijon or yellow)
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine 4 tablespoons olive oil, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, ½ teaspoon lemon zest, 1 tablespoon mustard, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon salt, and black pepper to taste. Whisk vigorously until smooth and slightly thickened. Set aside.
- Add the Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups shredded cooked chicken, 1 can rinsed and well-drained lentils, 2 finely diced vine tomatoes, 2 packed cups chopped parsley, ½ cup chopped mint (or dill if preferred), and 3 chopped green onions. Pour the prepared dressing over the mixture and stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Taste and Serve: Sample a small portion of the salad and adjust seasoning if needed by adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to taste. If desired, gently fold in crumbled feta cheese at this stage to maintain its texture. Serve immediately with warm pita bread, or cover and refrigerate for up to several days for an easy and flavorful meal prep option.
Notes
- This salad can be served chilled or at room temperature depending on your preference.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and increase lentils or add chickpeas.
- If lentils are not canned, use cooked lentils cooled before mixing.
- Fresh herbs are best for vibrant flavor, but dried oregano in the dressing complements well.
- Add feta cheese just before serving to avoid it breaking down.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Serve with warm pita bread or as a filling for wraps.
Keywords: Mediterranean chicken salad, lentil salad, healthy chicken recipe, protein-packed salad, no-cook salad, easy lunch idea, fresh herb salad
