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
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
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.