This post is sponsored in conjunction with #BBQWeek. I received product samples from sponsors to use in creating #BBQWeek recipes. However, all opinions are mine alone.
Grilled Chicken Asparagus Salad is an easy salad to prepare. Perfect for a summer night when you want a great meal without a lot of fuss and no need to use the stove. Use boneless chicken breasts and marinate them in some of the lemon basil vinaigrette that is used to dress the salad with as well, added flavor. Chicken and Asparagus Recipes are a favorite of my family and this salad does not disappoint. This is a delicious layered salad using fresh baby spinach, carrots, cucumbers, bacon, goat cheese, avocado and let's not forget chicken and asparagus, hello delicious! #BBQWEEK
I am loving BBQ Week and when I saw one of the sponsors was Michigan Asparagus, I did the happy dance. You have not lived until you have Michigan asparagus. The best asparagus I've ever had, besides asparagus from my Grandpa's garden, he had the best green thumb! Back to the chicken asparagus salad is a favorite of mine because it's an easy salad to prepare and tastes darn good. This Grilled Chicken Asparagus Salad has it all - easy to make, amazing flavor, crunch from the chicken bacon and veggies and oh so delicious! This is a meal full of nutrition and flavor. You will not be disappointed, trust me!
I always prefer making things from scratch as the fewer preservatives the better. So I do enjoy making a quick and easy lemon basil vinaigrette that I use some for a marinade for this chicken and asparagus recipe and then to dress the salad with the vinaigrette. I usually have some left over and I use it throughout the week on salads and veggies. The lemon basil dressing is great on any salad too. It just takes a few minutes to make and you will love the vinaigrette.
This is a fabulous salad that I make often for my family. It is also one of those salads that can be made for family parties, potlucks, and make-ahead lunches. A few of my favorite salads are:
Kale and Quinoa Salad with Pomegranates
My Favorite Superfood Detox Salad
FAQs about Grilled Chicken Asparagus Salad:
When making chicken and asparagus recipes, do I need to peel the asparagus?
Nope. Asparagus does not have to be peeled. If the stems are very large, I will peel the asparagus because the wider the asparagus, the skin can be tough.
How long should the poultry be marinated for this Chicken Asparagus salad?
I prefer at least 30 minutes. You can do up to 2 hours if desired.
What are the origins of Asparagus?
Asparagus is a perennial from the Lily family as are onions. The origins of asparagus can be traced to Eastern Europe.
What are the health benefits of Asparagus?
You won't be disappointed with asparagus. It is fat-free, loaded with iron to prevent anemia, and full of folic acid for our lovely pregnant ladies. I could go on and on.
Can this Layered Grilled Chicken Asparagus Salad be made ahead?
I have made this layered salad the night before serving and set up the layered salad. Of course, I did not add the salad dressing. I wrap the salad well with plastic wrap and keep in the fridge until ready to serve the following day. You can also prepare all the ingredients and put the salad together right before serving. Both work well.
How to Make this Chicken Asparagus Salad:
- Make your lemon basil vinaigrette.
- Trim your boneless chicken breasts of any visible fat and place in large storage bag with about ½ cup of the lemon basil vinaigrette. Marinate for at least 30 minutes up to overnight. I also marinate the asparagus for about ½ hour.
- Clean grill grates and coat with olive oil or non-stick cooking spray. Preheat grill to 400 degrees.
- Remove chicken from marinade, pat dry. Place on grill and reduce heat to medium about 350 degrees.
- Chicken varies in time but the chicken will become opaque when ready to flip. You can also rotate the chicken 45 degrees about after at least 3 minutes if grill marks are important for you.
- The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- To grill the asparagus, asparagus grills in minutes. I soak wooden skewers and use them to keep the asparagus from falling through the grate.
- Assemble the salad, spinach, egg, bacon, cucumber, goat cheese, carrot, scallions, grilled chicken, asparagus - yummy
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📖 Recipe
Grilled Chicken Asparagus Salad
Equipment Needed:
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Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless chicken breast
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 8 slices center cut bacon
- 1 medium cucumber, peeled and diced
- 1 large carrot, peeled and grated
- 2 large red tomatoes, seeded and diced
- 1 pound asparagus
- 8 ounces feta cheese
Lemon Basil Vinaigrette
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled chopped
- 1 small shallot, peeled and chopped
- 2 Tablespoons water
- 4 ounces basil leaves, about 15 leaves
- 1½ teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
To Make Basil Vinaigrette
- Add to a blender, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, shallot, water, basil leaves, honey, Dijon vinegar, black pepper, and salt. Pulse to combine all ingredients.
To Marinate the Chicken
- Add 4 Tablespoons of the marinade and place in a large plastic bag, add the chicken and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes up to overnight to marinate the chicken.
How To Grill Boneless Chicken
- Clean grill grates and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Preheat grill to 400°F. If using a grill pan, spray the pan with non-stick cooking spray and heat the grill pan to medium-high.
- Remove chicken from marinade and pat dry. Place on preheated grill, reduce heat to medium. Let chicken cook until temperature reaches 165 degrees. Remove chicken and let rest.
How To Grill Asparagus
- When the chicken has about 3 minutes left to cook, add the asparagus. let it cook about2 minutes and they will be cooked through. Remove from grill and set aside.
To Make the Bacon
- Fry the bacon according to the package and set aside.
To Make the Layered Grilled Chicken Asparagus Salad
- Using a large glass bowl, begin to build the salad. Spinach, carrots, cucumbers, bacon, feta, tomatoes, grilled asparagus, grilled chicken.
- Serve with the basil lemon vinaigrette.
Notes
- 5 Smart Points Weight Watchers
- Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.