Greek Salad with Chicken Recipe

Cherry tomatoes: These small, sweet tomatoes add a burst of flavor and color to the salad.

Cucumber: Adds a refreshing crunch and mild flavor.

Red onion: Provides a sharp, tangy taste that complements the other ingredients.

Kalamata olives: These olives add a rich, fruity flavor and a touch of saltiness.

Vegan feta cheese: A plant-based alternative to traditional feta, offering a tangy taste and crumbly texture.

Olive oil: Used as a base for the dressing, adding a smooth, rich flavor.

Red wine vinegar: Adds acidity and a slight tang to the dressing.

Dried oregano: Provides a classic Greek herb flavor.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the salad.

Pepper: Adds a hint of spice and depth to the dish.

When preparing the red onion, soak the slices in cold water for about 10 minutes before adding them to the salad. This will help to mellow out the sharpness and make the flavor more palatable, ensuring it doesn't overpower the other ingredients.

• Chicken - Substitute with chickpeas: Chickpeas provide a hearty texture and protein content similar to chicken, making them a great vegan alternative.

• Feta cheese - Substitute with vegan feta cheese: Vegan feta cheese mimics the tangy and creamy texture of traditional feta without using any animal products.

• Cherry tomatoes - Substitute with grape tomatoes: Grape tomatoes have a similar sweetness and juiciness to cherry tomatoes, making them an excellent substitute.

• Cucumber - Substitute with zucchini: Zucchini has a similar crunchy texture and mild flavor, making it a good alternative to cucumber.

• Red onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder and slightly sweeter flavor compared to red onions, which can be a pleasant variation.

• Kalamata olives - Substitute with black olives: Black olives have a similar briny flavor and meaty texture, making them a suitable replacement for kalamata olives.

• Olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar healthy fat profile and a mild flavor, making it a good substitute for olive oil.

• Red wine vinegar - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar provides a similar tangy acidity, making it a good alternative to red wine vinegar.

• Dried oregano - Substitute with dried basil: Dried basil offers a different but complementary herbaceous flavor, which can add a unique twist to the salad.

• Salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt has a similar salty flavor but can offer a slightly different mineral profile, enhancing the overall taste.

• Pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar spiciness but with a slightly different flavor profile, adding a subtle variation to the dish.

• To store your Greek salad with chicken, place it in an airtight container. Ensure the container is sealed properly to maintain the freshness of the vegetables and vegan feta cheese.

• Keep the salad in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days. The cherry tomatoes and cucumber might release some water, so you may need to drain any excess liquid before serving.

• If you plan to make the salad ahead of time, consider storing the dressing separately. Mix the olive oil, red wine vinegar, and dried oregano in a small jar and add it to the salad just before serving. This will keep the vegetables crisp and prevent them from becoming soggy.

• For freezing, it's best to avoid freezing the Greek salad as the fresh vegetables and vegan feta cheese do not freeze well. Freezing can alter their texture and flavor, resulting in a less enjoyable dish.

• If you must freeze, consider freezing only the chicken separately. Cooked chicken can be stored in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before adding it to the fresh salad.

• When ready to serve, combine the thawed chicken with the freshly prepared Greek salad. This ensures that the vegetables remain crisp and the flavors are vibrant.

• Always taste the salad before serving and adjust the seasoning if necessary. A little extra salt, pepper, or a splash of red wine vinegar can enhance the flavors after storage.

• For a quick and easy method, use a microwave. Place the Greek salad with chicken in a microwave-safe dish. Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Be cautious not to overheat, as the vegan feta cheese might melt too much.

• If you prefer a more even reheating, use an oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the Greek salad with chicken to an oven-safe dish. Cover it with aluminum foil to prevent the cherry tomatoes and cucumber from drying out. Heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. This method helps maintain the texture of the vegan feta cheese and vegetables.

• For a stovetop method, use a skillet. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the Greek salad with chicken and stir occasionally. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the vegan feta cheese is slightly melted and the vegetables are warmed through. This method allows you to control the heat and prevent overcooking.

• If you have an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the Greek salad with chicken in the air fryer basket. Heat for 3-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating. This method gives a slightly crispy texture to the vegan feta cheese and vegetables.

• For a refreshing twist, serve the Greek salad with chicken cold. Simply take it out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together without the need for reheating.

• Mixing bowl: A large bowl used to combine all the salad ingredients together.

• Chef's knife: Essential for slicing the cherry tomatoes, dicing the cucumber, and thinly slicing the red onion.

• Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for chopping and slicing the vegetables.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure out the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and vegan feta cheese accurately.

• Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring the olive oil, red wine vinegar, and dried oregano.

• Salad tongs: Useful for tossing the salad ingredients together evenly.

• Serving bowl: A bowl to present the salad in once it is ready to be served.

• Refrigerator: Used to chill the salad for 30 minutes before serving, if desired.

Pre-chop vegetables: Prepare the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion in advance and store them in airtight containers in the fridge.

Use pre-made vegan feta: Purchase vegan feta cheese that is already cubed to save on prep time.

Mix dressing ahead: Combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, and dried oregano in a jar and store it in the fridge for quick use.

Opt for pitted olives: Buy kalamata olives that are already pitted to avoid extra work.

Chill in bulk: Make a larger batch and store it in the fridge for quick meals throughout the week.