Grilled Chicken and Watercress Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-10 · Updated 2026-04-10

Juicy grilled chicken breast atop peppery watercress and crisp vegetables, dressed in a bright apple cider vinaigrette for a refreshing meal. This Whole30 recipe, ready in about 37 minutes, pairs chicken breast, olive oil, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a Whole30 week and pairs well with roasted sweet potato or a simple olive-oil salad. 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

• 1.2 lbs chicken breast
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 5 oz watercress
• 1 cup cucumber
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1/4 cup red onion
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

The instant-read thermometer we’d check this chicken with → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100

Instructions

1. Step 1: Marinate 1.2 lbs chicken breast (sliced into 1/2-inch medallions) in 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper for 20 minutes.
2. Step 2: Preheat grill to medium-high. Grill chicken medallions for 5-6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp olive oil, and 1 tsp Dijon mustard to make the dressing.
4. Step 4: Toss 5 oz watercress, 1 cup sliced cucumber, 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes, and 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion in a large bowl with half the dressing.
5. Step 5: Slice grilled chicken and arrange over the salad. Drizzle with remaining dressing.