Grilled Chicken and Asparagus Salad with Balsamic Glaze
A hearty salad featuring smoky grilled chicken, crisp asparagus, and a rich balsamic reduction, dressed with a tangy Dijon vinaigrette. This american-inspired salads ready in about 35 minutes pairs trimmed asparagus, grilled chicken breast, mixed greens into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, trimmed asparagus
- 200g grilled chicken breast
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup croutons
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Toss asparagus with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grill for 8-10 minutes until tender and charred, then set aside.
- Step 2: In a small saucepan, combine balsamic vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes until reduced to 2 tbsp, then set aside.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, grilled chicken, and asparagus. Drizzle with remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and the balsamic glaze. Toss until evenly coated, then top with croutons before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Chicken and Asparagus Salad with Balsamic Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Grilled Chicken and Asparagus Salad with Balsamic Glaze?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep trimmed asparagus from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Chicken and Asparagus Salad with Balsamic Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Grilled Chicken and Asparagus Salad with Balsamic Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Grilled Chicken and Asparagus Salad with Balsamic Glaze?
American salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Brought this to a potluck and it was the first dish to disappear.
- ★☆☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.
