Roasted Beet and Chicken Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
A colorful salad of roasted beets and chicken breast, tossed in a zesty lemon vinaigrette, topped with fresh greens for a nutrient-packed Whole30 meal. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 45 minutes pairs cubed chicken breast, peeled and cubed beets, olive oil 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 320 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, cubed chicken breast
- 2, peeled and cubed beets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 1, juiced lemon
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 clove, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp, chopped chives
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss 2 peeled and cubed beets with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 25 minutes until tender.
- Step 2: While beets roast, season 1 lb cubed chicken breast with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then add chicken and cook for 6-7 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup mixed greens, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 4: In a large bowl, combine roasted beets, cooked chicken, and 4 cups mixed greens. Drizzle with lemon vinaigrette and toss to coat, then sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped chives.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Roasted Beet and Chicken Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 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 Roasted Beet and Chicken Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette?
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 cubed chicken breast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Roasted Beet and Chicken Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette?
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 Roasted Beet and Chicken Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette 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 Roasted Beet and Chicken Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette?
Mediterranean 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
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.