Quick Lemon Parmesan Chicken Salad

Featured in: Family Dinner Plates

This dish combines tender chicken baked with lemon zest and Parmesan, served on a fresh bed of mixed greens. A zesty lemon-Parmesan dressing brings brightness and ties all the flavors together. Cherry tomatoes and crunchy croutons add texture and color, making it perfect for a quick, light lunch or dinner. Ready in under 30 minutes, it balances protein and freshness effortlessly.

Simple to prepare, with options to swap grilled chicken or include extras like avocado for added richness. Its crisp, tangy profile pairs well with a Sauvignon Blanc for a delightful culinary experience.

Updated on Wed, 26 Nov 2025 10:39:00 GMT
Quick Crunchy Lemon Parmesan Chicken Salad, filled with juicy chicken, and fresh, crisp vegetables drizzled with tangy dressing. Pin It
Quick Crunchy Lemon Parmesan Chicken Salad, filled with juicy chicken, and fresh, crisp vegetables drizzled with tangy dressing. | sweetbatata.com

A vibrant, refreshing salad featuring crisp greens, juicy chicken, crunchy croutons, and a zesty lemon-Parmesan dressing—perfect for a speedy, satisfying lunch or light dinner.

I first served this to my family on a sunny weekend and it quickly became our favorite light meal.

Ingredients

  • Chicken: 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 400 g), 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salad: 6 cups mixed salad greens (romaine arugula or baby spinach), 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved, 1 small cucumber sliced, 1/2 small red onion thinly sliced, 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, 1 cup crunchy croutons
  • Lemon Parmesan Dressing: 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon honey, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1:
Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
Step 2:
Pat the chicken breasts dry. Rub with olive oil salt pepper and garlic powder.
Step 3:
Place chicken on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake for 12 minutes or until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove let rest 5 minutes then slice thinly.
Step 4:
While chicken bakes whisk together dressing ingredients in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Step 5:
In a large salad bowl combine salad greens tomatoes cucumber and red onion.
Step 6:
Drizzle half the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.
Step 7:
Top with sliced chicken shredded Parmesan and croutons. Drizzle with remaining dressing.
Step 8:
Serve immediately.
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This salad has become a staple during our family lunches and always brings smiles to the table.

Required Tools

Baking tray Knife and cutting board Mixing bowls Whisk

Allergen Information

Contains Milk (Parmesan) Wheat (croutons) Egg (if present in Dijon mustard). Check all labels if serving to those with allergies.

Nutritional Information

Calories 410 Total Fat 24 g Carbohydrates 17 g Protein 33 g per serving

A vibrant Quick Crunchy Lemon Parmesan Chicken Salad, showcasing tender chicken, Parmesan, and a bright lemon vinaigrette, perfect for a light meal. Pin It
A vibrant Quick Crunchy Lemon Parmesan Chicken Salad, showcasing tender chicken, Parmesan, and a bright lemon vinaigrette, perfect for a light meal. | sweetbatata.com

This salad is perfect for a quick nutritious meal any day of the week.

Quick Lemon Parmesan Chicken Salad

Tender lemon-Parmesan chicken atop crisp greens, cherry tomatoes, and crunchy croutons for a refreshing meal.

Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
12 min
Overall Time
27 min
Created by Nora James


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Makes 4 Portions

Dietary Details None specified

What You'll Need

Chicken

01 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz)
02 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
05 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Salad

01 6 cups mixed salad greens (romaine, arugula, or baby spinach)
02 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 1 small cucumber, sliced
04 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
05 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
06 1 cup crunchy croutons

Lemon Parmesan Dressing

01 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
02 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
03 1 teaspoon lemon zest
04 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
05 1 teaspoon honey
06 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
07 Salt and black pepper, to taste

Cooking Steps

Step 01

Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

Step 02

Prepare chicken: Pat chicken breasts dry and rub evenly with olive oil, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.

Step 03

Bake chicken: Arrange chicken breasts on a parchment-lined baking tray and bake for 12 minutes or until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove and rest for 5 minutes before thinly slicing.

Step 04

Make dressing: Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, Dijon mustard, honey, grated Parmesan, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 05

Assemble salad base: Combine salad greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and red onion in a large bowl.

Step 06

Dress salad: Toss salad with half of the dressing to evenly coat the vegetables.

Step 07

Add chicken and toppings: Arrange sliced chicken over the salad, sprinkle with shredded Parmesan and croutons, then drizzle with remaining dressing.

Step 08

Serve: Serve immediately for optimal freshness and texture.

Equipment Needed

  • Baking tray
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk

Allergy Notice

Check each ingredient for allergens and reach out to a healthcare professional if you have concerns.
  • Contains milk (Parmesan), wheat (croutons), and potential egg (Dijon mustard). Verify labels for allergens.

Nutrition Information (per portion)

Sweetbatata only offers this for informational use. Please don't treat it as personalized medical advice.
  • Caloric Value: 410
  • Fats: 24 g
  • Carbohydrates: 17 g
  • Proteins: 33 g