Ahhh, a Loaded Grilled Chicken & Shrimp Salad 🥗🍤🥩—basically a hearty, protein-packed salad with all the flavors and textures you crave: char-grilled meats, fresh veggies, cheese, and a zesty dressing. Here’s a full recipe:
🥗 Loaded Grilled Chicken & Shrimp Salad
Serves 4
Ingredients
For the Protein
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp cayenne (optional for heat)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
For the Salad Base
- 6 cups mixed greens (romaine, spinach, arugula)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, sliced
- ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- ½ cup corn kernels (fresh or roasted)
- ½ cup black beans (optional)
Optional Toppings
- ½ cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella
- ¼ cup crumbled feta or blue cheese
- ¼ cup toasted nuts (almonds, pecans, or walnuts)
- 1 avocado, sliced
- Croutons or tortilla strips
Dressing (Zesty Lemon-Garlic)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Grill the Protein
- Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high.
- Toss chicken with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Grill 5–7 minutes per side until cooked through. Slice into strips.
- Toss shrimp in same seasoning and grill 2–3 minutes per side until pink and slightly charred.
2. Assemble the Salad
- In a large bowl, combine greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, carrots, corn, and black beans.
- Add optional toppings: cheese, avocado, nuts, croutons.
3. Make the Dressing
- Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Drizzle over salad just before serving.
4. Top with Protein
- Arrange grilled chicken strips and shrimp on top of the salad.
🔥 Tips for Success
- Grill marks: Brush grill with oil and preheat well to get perfect sear marks.
- Balanced flavors: Add sweet (corn, cherry tomatoes) and creamy (avocado, cheese) elements to balance charred protein.
- Meal prep: Grill chicken and shrimp ahead and store separately; assemble salad when ready to eat.
- Extra crunch: Toast nuts or add tortilla strips last minute.
Variations
- Southwestern Style: Add black beans, corn, tortilla strips, and chipotle-lime dressing.
- Mediterranean: Use feta, olives, cucumber, tomatoes, and a lemon-oregano vinaigrette.
- Caesar Twist: Add grilled shrimp and chicken to a Caesar salad base with Parmesan and croutons.
If you want, I can give you a fully loaded, restaurant-style grilled chicken & shrimp salad recipe with cheesy, crispy croutons, creamy dressing, and a little smoky char on the protein—basically “steakhouse salad” vibes 🥗🔥🦐.
Do you want me to do that?
