Grilled Ligurian Herb Chicken with Palm Leaf Salad
Juicy grilled chicken marinated with Mediterranean herbs served alongside a fresh salad inspired by Bordighera’s famous palm trees. This mediterranean-inspired chicken (mediterranean herbs) ready in about 30 minutes pairs extra virgin olive oil, lemon zest, chopped fresh rosemary for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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
- 4 boneless, skinless (6 oz each) chicken breasts
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tsp, chopped fresh rosemary
- 2 tsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 cup, drained and sliced palm heart slices
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 small, thinly sliced red onion
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp lemon zest, 2 tsp chopped fresh rosemary, 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the marinade.
- Step 2: Place 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each) in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to infuse.
- Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and grill for 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, in a large bowl, toss 4 cups mixed salad greens with 1 cup sliced palm hearts, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/4 thinly sliced red onion, 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, and 1 tbsp olive oil until evenly coated.
- Step 5: Serve the grilled chicken breasts on plates alongside the refreshing palm leaf salad.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Ligurian Herb Chicken with Palm Leaf Salad take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Ligurian Herb Chicken with Palm Leaf Salad?
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 extra virgin olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Ligurian Herb Chicken with Palm Leaf Salad?
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 Ligurian Herb Chicken with Palm Leaf Salad 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 Ligurian Herb Chicken with Palm Leaf Salad?
Mediterranean chicken 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.