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Home Chicken

Lemon Chicken Salad

By:Nagi
Published:11 Jul '18Updated:21 May '20
132 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

This mouthwatering Lemon Chicken Salad makes a substantial meal or terrific for sharing at gatherings! A bright lemon dressing with a touch of honey does double duty as a quick marinade for the chicken. Nutritious, filling and fabulous!

Close up of Lemon Chicken Salad with avocado, tomatoes and corn with lemon dill dressing.

The very first feature I did for Super Food Ideas magazine was called “Double Duty” where I shared recipes where one base mixture was used for two purposes. So for example, I did a Garlic Lime Marinated Prawns (Shrimp) with Green Rice where one lime and garlic mixture was used to marinate the prawns and as the flavour base for a green spinach rice.

Using a salad dressing as a marinade for chicken is Double Duty in its simplest form and this Lemon Chicken Salad is a terrific example where the Lemon Dressing works as a fantastic marinade to infuse chicken with flavour – quickly!

Lemon Chicken Salad double duty lemon dressing and marinade

THE LEMON DRESSING

The Lemon Dressing is made with both lemon zest and lemon juice. That way, it actually tastes of lemon. Which might sound strange I know. But actually, lemon juice is just sour. All the lemon flavour is in the skin.

So if you want lemon flavoured anything, you need to use the zest!

CHICKEN BREAST OR THIGH!

If I post a chicken thigh recipe, I absolutely guarantee someone will ask if it can be made with breast. If I post a chicken breast recipe, someone always asks if it can be made with thigh.

So nowadays, I just make sure I cover that off in every single chicken recipe I do.

YES you can make this with chicken breast. YES you can make it with chicken thighs!

Chicken for Lemon Chicken Salad in a skillet

Close up of chicken in Lemon Chicken Salad

I had a bit of a shocker filming and photographing this recipe. I kept forgetting a key ingredient and had to make it over and over again. Which, actually, is not the worst thing in the world because I would scoff it down for lunch within seconds of the last click of the camera.

The last time I filmed it, I was patting myself on the back for remembering everything for the salad – then wailed in frustration when I realised I forgot the bacon.

Hence why some photos have bacon – and some do not.

The video does not. 😤

But in all honesty, it’s an optional extra. Bacon makes everything better. But this Lemon Chicken Salad is terrific even without it! – Nagi x


Watch how to make it

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Close up of Lemon Chicken Salad with avocado, tomatoes and corn with lemon dill dressing.

Lemon Chicken Salad

Author: Nagi
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 8 mins
Total: 23 mins
Mains
Western
5 from 24 votes
Servings2 - 4 people
Tap or hover to scale
Print
Recipe video above. A substantial salad with a lemon marinated chicken, dressed with a dill lemon dressing with a touch of honey. You'll love how the dressing does double duty as the marinade! Bacon is optional - totally delicious without, but always fabulous with. Serves 2 as a meal, 4 as a side.

Ingredients

Dressing/Marinade:

  • 2 tsp lemon zest
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large garlic clove , minced
  • 1/2 tsp salt + 1/4 tsp black pepper

Chicken:

  • 1 large chicken breast , halved horizontally* OR 2 boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice , extra
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1/2 tbsp olive oil

Salad:

  • 2 tbsp finely chopped dill
  • 8 cups cos/romaine lettuce , chopped (or other lettuce of choice, Note 2)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes , halved
  • 1 medium avocado , quartered and sliced thickly
  • 1/2 red onion , small, finely sliced
  • 3/4 cup corn kernels , fresh or canned drained
  • 120g/ 4 oz bacon , cooked then chopped (optional)

Instructions

Dressing:

  • Place Dressing ingredients in a jar. Shake well.

Chicken:

  • Place chicken in a bowl. Add 2 tbsp Dressing, 1 tbsp extra lemon juice, plus a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well. Marinate minimum 20 minutes up to 24 hours.
  • Heat oil in a non stick skillet over medium high heat (or use bacon fat if you use bacon in this!). Add chicken and cook. Halved breasts: 2 minutes each side. Thigh: 4 minutes each side.
  • Transfer to plate, cover loosely with foil for 3 minutes. Slice.

Salad:

  • Add dill into remaining dressing. Shake.
  • Place remaining salad ingredients in a bowl. Top with chicken.
  • Drizzle dressing all over. Crumble over bacon if using. Serve immediately!

Recipe Notes:

* To do this, place chicken on cutting board, place hand on top. Use knife to slice horizontally through the chicken so you end up with 2 thinner pieces.
1. If dill isn't to your taste, use coriander/cilantro or chives instead, or even a pinch of dried herbs.
2. I use about 2/3 of a head of cos lettuce.
3. Meal prep: Use chicken thigh for best results (it's juicier reheated). Prepare dressing, marinade and cook chicken per recipe, do not slice. Once cool, store in airtight container. Prepare remaining salad ingredients, store in separate container, store dressing in jar. Keep for up to 3 days. To serve, warm chicken in microwave then slice and assemble salad per recipe.
4. Rotisserie Chicken option: Chop or shred store bought rotisserie chicken. Toss through with 1.5 tbsp Dressing, warm gently (makes flavour infuse better). Toss through salad.
5. Nutrition per serving, assuming 2 servings.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 587cal (29%)
Keywords: Chicken Salad
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @RecipeTinEats.

MORE CHICKEN SALADS YOU’LL LOVE

  • Chicken Caesar Salad
  • Hawaiian Chicken Salad
  • Chicken Salad with Avocado Dressing
  • Chinese Chicken Salad
  • Thai Chicken Salad
  • Mexican Avocado Chicken Salad
  • More giant Salads for Meals

Life of Dozer

If he gets any closer to the heater, we might be having roasted Dozer for dinner tonight….

Dozer the golden retriever lying too close to the heater

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132 Comments

  1. Jane says

    July 12, 2018 at 7:06 am

    I’m confused, do you cook the chicken in bacon fat?

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      July 13, 2018 at 8:46 pm

      Hi Jane! You can absolutely do that if you use bacon in this! I’ll add that tip 🙂

      Reply
  2. Patti says

    July 12, 2018 at 6:50 am

    Silly American question….Staples in lettuce? Why?

    I’m making plenty of this for marinade. Store bought lemon marinade is horrendous! I’ve tried with fresh lemons, didn’t realize I needed the zest!! THANK YOU!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      July 13, 2018 at 8:46 pm

      Hi Patti! I was trying to be clever to make some of my lettuce stay a bit curled! Without the staples, all the leaves just laid flat and I didn’t think it looked good in the photos 🙂 In hindsight, I shouldn’t have cared!!!!

      Reply
  3. Wynn says

    July 12, 2018 at 6:30 am

    Hope the staple was still crimped, at least! Charles Phillips makes a good point–is that heater safe to use on a rug?????? It looks scary. Wouldn’t want you to cook your house, Dozer, or yourself.

    The salad & chicken look very tempting, indeed. Anything that can be doubled to either cut down on tasks or to freeze extras that will taste as good out of the freezer and reheated, is right up my alley. I’m a big fan of the concept of working smarter rather than harder. (I’d saved an empty jar just last night, thinking I might need one for mixing something!)

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      July 13, 2018 at 8:45 pm

      Hi Wynn! It’s ok, the base of the heater is insulated 🙂 As for the staple, yes it was crimped! Thankfully! 😂

      Reply
  4. Lynn D. says

    July 12, 2018 at 5:35 am

    Your creation looks fabulous, as usual! And, I love watching the video and then as an added pleasure, scrolling down a bit and seeing Dozer’s antics. That sweet, funny, good (only how many more weeks?), handsome boy always makes me smile or laugh out loud.

    A resounding “Yes” to double duty recipes! Also would love to see some Keto-friendly recipes that use sugar and carb (read rice or pasta) substitute(s). Thanks, Nagi, for a truly wonderful website!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      July 13, 2018 at 8:44 pm

      Hi Lynn! Gosh I must confess I haven’t looked into the keto diet 🙂 I keep hearing about it though, I must learn more about it! N xx

      Reply
  5. Pat Boluk says

    July 12, 2018 at 5:28 am

    If the staple stayed in your stomach, and if you might be overweight, ohhh, nevermind!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      July 13, 2018 at 8:44 pm

      OMG if my mother reads this she will get totally stuck into me….!!!! 😂

      Reply
  6. Martin says

    July 12, 2018 at 4:19 am

    5 stars
    This looks so delicious. I’m considering making it for an office brunch meeting/ party with accompanying lettuce cups, or WTH, crostini. Hope it commutes well. As far as the “staple” goes: hopefully you do pass it, but be mindful of any “dark/ black” stool, and get an MRI just in case. Dozer looks so comfy. (It’s winter in Australia to remind others — so it can be rainy, cold and damp). When I see your Dozer, I miss my Zeus, also a Golden who left us 4 years ago.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      July 13, 2018 at 8:43 pm

      Oh Martin, I’m so sorry to hear about your loss 🙁 I bet you have some amazing memories of your time with him. And thank you for the medical advice!! N x

      Reply
  7. Kat says

    July 12, 2018 at 3:48 am

    5 stars
    Funny, I find it hilarious someone would ask if one could use breast or thigh if you say the opposite….it’s a no brainer. LOL

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      July 13, 2018 at 8:42 pm

      Mostly, yes it’s a no brainer! 🙂 Though for baking recipes, cook times can be different 🙂 N x

      Reply
  8. Vivian says

    July 12, 2018 at 2:51 am

    5 stars
    What a post! Nagi, you crack me up…staples for lettuce photos?…really?? So many tricks of the trade. Anyway, hope it all turned out for the best.

    Now, as to Dozer…good he can’t read…I doubt that he would be amused by Joan’s clever Christmas song conversion. I, however, fell right off my chair laughing!

    A big YES for double duty recipes.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      July 13, 2018 at 8:42 pm

      I know!!! I don’t resort to really crazy food styling tricks, my rule is that the food must be 100% edible! But I do use things like toothpicks to stabilise towering burgers…. and staples to hold lettuce leaves together!

      Reply
  9. Gillian DidierSerre says

    July 12, 2018 at 2:30 am

    5 stars
    Wow ..be careful Nagi.. keep us updated on the staple situation.
    I love the lemon marinade..we are having a great summer in Toronto Canada and lemons are plenty and also cheap.
    What is the weather like now in Australia? I was wondering what Dozer was doing in front of the heater!!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      July 13, 2018 at 8:41 pm

      It’s COLD!!!!! It’s winter over here!

      Reply
  10. J says

    July 12, 2018 at 2:18 am

    5 stars
    I hope your ok Nagi after swallowing that! Double duty dishes are good to have. That’s what alot of restaurants use too.
    I’m not fond of mustard, so do I use the same amount of dry mustard or less than 1 tsp? I always like to see what Dozer is up to. My dog gets real close to the heater too in the winter. I always look forward to see what recipe you have created next.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      July 13, 2018 at 8:40 pm

      Hi J! You can leave it out and it won’t make much of a difference 🙂 I add it because it thickens the dressing ever so slightly! N x

      Reply
      • J says

        July 14, 2018 at 5:18 pm

        Hi Nagi! Thanks for letting me know!

        Reply
  11. Susan says

    July 12, 2018 at 2:14 am

    This salad sounds perfect to me (except that I would either cook the onions, omit them totally, or add chives instead – I just can’t do raw onion any more). Looking forward to trying this. Just this last week we had a double duty salad recipe, which had steak and cherries. I like the idea of double duty a lot.

    Reply
    • Paula says

      July 12, 2018 at 8:17 am

      When using raw onion in salads I use a red onion sliced thinly then place in a sieve & rinse under the hot water tap for a minute or two – takes the ‘rawness’ out of the onion!

      Reply
      • Susan says

        July 12, 2018 at 9:22 am

        Thanks, Paula! I’ll have to try that.

        Reply
    • Nagi says

      July 13, 2018 at 8:37 pm

      Chives would be a fabulous alternative here Susan! Hope you are well 🙂 N x

      Reply
  12. Joan Landa says

    July 12, 2018 at 2:02 am

    5 stars
    Another winner from Nagi, Queen of the YUMS! I just bought my first zester – imagine that – how did I ever do without one for such a long time! And tonight, I ZEST! (I purchased it at a Pampered Chef party a friend was hosting. If you have never used Pampered Chefs cookware and gadgets, I highly recommend you try some – highest quality products at reasonable prices.) What you have assembled is a Taj Mahal of salads, dear friend Nagi! Definitely please do post more “double duty” recipes – very clever and time saving. But please do not ingest any non-ingestibles in the future. Stomach stapling is for bariatric patients, which you are absolutely not! I hate to ask this question but did everything work out well in the end? Oh, Dozer, precious, sweet Dozer. The first thing I thought of was – and this is probably not for 17 and unders – I actually started humming, “Dog nuts roasting on an open fire”…..

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      July 13, 2018 at 8:36 pm

      “And tonight, I ZEST!” <<--- You literally burst out loud in laughter!!!! PS No nuts on Dozer... 😂

      Reply
      • Joan Landa says

        July 14, 2018 at 2:20 pm

        I just now saw that Dozer had ACL surgery. Poor baby! Poor Nagi – anything that happens to our furbabies is happening to us as well. Katie has a torn ACL and hop like a tripod, holding her rear right leg up as she goes. It doesn’t seem to slow her down that much, but she is one crazy lady. She is on and off anti-inflammatories, which seem to give her a lot of relief, but she will need surgery eventually. My vet told me it will run me $6,000 more or less. There is an ortho device that supposedly helps them be almost normally mobile and relieves the pain. That costs about $400, so it is a way to start – at least for now. How did Dozer do with the surgery? How long until he could walk after surgery? Do the dogs have to go through physical therapy like humans do? My son had ACL surgery (along with meniscus, patella placement and a few other “fixes”). He wanted this all done before his wedding, so it was. Unfortunately, his surgeons managed to get him addicted to strong pain meds and it was a battle for him to get off them, which he didn’t do until after his wedding (but before the first grandbaby was born). I am certain that Dozer did not get injured the same way my son did – unless Dozer is part of a local basketball team! My son LIKES to think of himself as a star athlete – and in a lot of ways he is, but he is also a KLUTZ! Well, glad Dozer is not going to present you with an “extended family” and I hope he heals quickly and safely!

        Reply
        • Nagi says

          July 16, 2018 at 8:22 pm

          Oh JOAN! I am so sorry to hear about Katie 🙁 And your son! But I am glad your son is now ok! It cost $5000. I was shocked. However, I am VERY lucky I have had pet insurance for Dozer since I got him and I got back every cent I have paid in premiums – and more. My excess was only $150. He was able to walk out of the vet after staying overnight but had a harness so I could help him get up and go to the toilet etc. He was sore and very quiet for 48 hours, then for another 2 weeks he was still very cautious and quiet. After that, he was back to his usual self and my biggest problem is trying to keep him confined!! Every time I take him out to the toilet on a leash, he tries to bolt down the yard. When I take him for short walks, he prances like a wild stallion! My vet says 3 – 4 months for rehab before he can go back to normal. Fingers crossed! Please give Katie a big hug from me. If she is a smaller dog than the ortho device may be enough? Dozer was too large for it, too much weight. N x

          Reply
  13. Susan says

    July 12, 2018 at 2:01 am

    I’m making this tonight! I’ve loved every recipe on this site that I’ve tried and can tell that this will be a winner. So happy to see the photos of your Golden Dozer, having been owned by 6 Goldies over the years. ACL is a tough recovery, especially with the exercise limitations but he sure looks content.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      July 13, 2018 at 8:35 pm

      “having been owned by 6 Goldies over the years” <---- SO TRUE, you got that the right way 😂

      Reply
  14. Lorraine says

    July 12, 2018 at 1:33 am

    Love the Double Duty recipes! Love the pic of Dozer, too – makes me want to take a nap!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      July 13, 2018 at 8:35 pm

      Me too Lorraine, me too… 😴

      Reply
  15. Tara says

    July 12, 2018 at 1:08 am

    Yes! More double duty recipes! So clever! And this recipe looks mouth watering–his coming from a person who is not a salad eater! This here could convert me perhaps! Or I may switch out the lettuce for spinach!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      July 13, 2018 at 8:34 pm

      I’m on it Tara! 🙂 N xx

      Reply
  16. Kern says

    July 12, 2018 at 1:01 am

    5 stars
    I dont eat avocados can tou suggest a substitute..
    Love your recipes. It took me from an average cook to an extraordinary one

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      July 13, 2018 at 8:34 pm

      Hi Kern! There really isn’t another vegetable with a similar texture so what I would do is leave it out and maybe add some sliced cucumbers instead to fill it out! 🙂 N x

      Reply
  17. Lorraine Painter says

    July 12, 2018 at 12:53 am

    Nagi this looks really delicious. Definitely going to try it. Pardon the ‘Dad joke’ but my daft husband says “at least she has a staple diet”. Sorry….!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      July 13, 2018 at 8:29 pm

      BA HA HA!!! He just COULDN’T resist, could he?? 😂

      Reply
  18. NOLAN MOSS says

    July 12, 2018 at 12:51 am

    BRAVO, WONDERFUL AS ALWAYS AND HERE IS SOMETHING FOR YOU TO REMEMBER

    THE DOG IS A GENTLEMAN. I HOPE TO GO TO HIS HEAVEN AND
    NOT MAN,S

    MARK TWAIN

    CHEERS

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      July 13, 2018 at 8:29 pm

      Ba ha ha! YES me too!

      Reply
  19. charles phillips says

    July 12, 2018 at 12:42 am

    Why would you put a space heater on a rug. Poor incinerated Dozer.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      July 13, 2018 at 8:29 pm

      Aww no! He loves it! The heater warms that shaggy rug and he adores it!

      Reply
      • charles phillips says

        July 13, 2018 at 11:34 pm

        You missed the point. Every fire department in the developed world cautions about space heaters placed too

        close to combustibles —most often throw rugs; hundreds of fires every year. Once again, poor incinerated Dozer.

        Reply
        • Nagi says

          July 16, 2018 at 8:04 pm

          Even wool ones??? I just googled and couldn’t get a definitive answer on whether wool is considered combustible or not. I am worried now. I’m going to get a new heater!

          Reply
  20. Marci says

    July 12, 2018 at 12:26 am

    Nagi, this recipe comes at a perfect time as sweet corn and tomatoes are just coming into season in South Western Ontario. I’ve been getting lettuce each week in my CSA share and I’m getting bored with regular salads.
    I’ll be making this for sure! It’s so beautiful too.
    Do you ever make it with skin on chicken?
    Thanks!
    Marci

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      July 13, 2018 at 8:28 pm

      HI Marci! It would be absolutely fabulous with skin on chicken 🙂 Imagine the extra flavour! N x

      Reply
      • Marci says

        July 18, 2018 at 9:54 am

        5 stars
        Well I made this tonight and it’s a big hit! I ended up using boneless skinless chicken just cause I had some. Not a single frond of dill in my little town or anyone’s garden so I used some cilantro from my garden. It was great! Even my cilantro and avocado hating hubby liked it. I’ll make it again as soon as I find some dill.

        Reply
        • Nagi says

          July 20, 2018 at 9:21 pm

          WHOOT WHOOT!!! PS Highest praise ever from cilantro-avo-hating-husband!! N xx

          Reply
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