Lemon Parmesan Cabbage Salad with Grilled Chicken Recipe

Introduction

This Lemon Parmesan Cabbage Salad with Grilled Chicken is a fresh and vibrant dish perfect for a light lunch or dinner. Combining crisp cabbage, tangy lemon, and savory parmesan with tender grilled chicken makes for a deliciously balanced meal.

Ingredients

• 2 small chicken breasts (150g/5oz each), 2 cm / 4/5″ thick (or 1 large, cut in half horizontally)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Black pepper to taste
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 5 heaped cups shredded green cabbage
• 1/2 red onion, finely sliced
• 1 cup peas (fresh preferred, frozen also works)
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves, lightly packed
• 100 g / 3.5 oz freshly grated parmesan (about 1 heaped cup)
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup / 60 ml extra virgin olive oil
• Black pepper to garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: If the chicken breasts are thicker than 2 cm (4/5 inch), pound them lightly or cut horizontally to even thickness for quicker, even cooking.
2. Step 2: In a ziplock bag, combine soy sauce, lemon juice, oregano, minced garlic, and black pepper. Add the chicken and marinate for 30 minutes to overnight in the fridge.
3. Step 3: Brush your grill with olive oil or heat 2 tsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 4 minutes on each side until cooked through.
4. Step 4: Remove the chicken and cover loosely with foil. Let it rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
5. Step 5: Cook the peas in boiling water or steam until tender, then drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
6. Step 6: In a large bowl, combine shredded cabbage, cooled peas, fresh mint leaves, and finely sliced red onion.
7. Step 7: Add grated parmesan, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, and black pepper to the bowl.
8. Step 8: Toss everything well to coat. Adjust seasoning with salt and extra parmesan if desired.
9. Step 9: Transfer the salad to serving plates. Top with sliced grilled chicken and garnish with more parmesan and black pepper before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh peas for the best texture and sweetness, but frozen peas work well in a pinch.
• If you don’t have a grill, a hot skillet or grill pan works just as well for cooking the chicken.
• For extra brightness, add a sprinkle of lemon zest to the salad before serving.
• Try swapping parmesan with pecorino for a sharper flavor variation.

Storage

Store the salad and grilled chicken separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat the chicken gently in a skillet or microwave before adding on top of the cold salad. The salad is best served fresh but can be kept chilled to maintain crispness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this salad ahead of time?

You can prepare the dressing and marinate the chicken ahead, but for best texture, toss the cabbage salad just before serving. Grilled chicken can be cooked in advance and reheated gently.

What can I substitute for parmesan?

Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano cheeses work well as substitutes. For a dairy-free option, omit the cheese and add toasted nuts for extra flavor and crunch.

Lemon Parmesan Cabbage Salad with Grilled Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 94 reviews

A fresh and vibrant Lemon Parmesan Cabbage Salad topped with tender grilled chicken breasts, featuring a tangy lemon dressing, crunchy cabbage, sweet peas, and aromatic mint. Perfect for a light, healthy meal that balances bright citrus flavors with savory parmesan and herbaceous notes.

• Author: Nora
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes (including marinating time)
• Yield: 2 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken Marinade and Grilling

• 2 small chicken breasts (150g/5oz each), 2 cm / 4/5″ thick (or 1 large chicken breast, cut in half horizontally)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Black pepper, to taste
• 2 tsp olive oil (for brushing grill or skillet)

Salad

• 5 heaped cups shredded green cabbage
• 1/2 red onion, finely sliced
• 1 cup peas (fresh preferred, frozen usable)
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves, lightly packed
• 100 g / 3.5 oz freshly grated parmesan (about 1 heaped cup)
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup / 60 ml extra virgin olive oil (good quality)
• Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken: If the chicken breasts are thicker than 2 cm, pound them lightly or slice horizontally to an even thickness for even cooking.
2. Marinate the Chicken: Combine soy sauce, lemon juice, dried oregano, minced garlic, and black pepper in a ziplock bag. Add the chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight in the refrigerator to enhance flavor.
3. Cook the Chicken: Brush your grill with olive oil or heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Grill or pan-fry the chicken for about 4 minutes on each side until cooked through. Remove from heat and loosely cover with foil to rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
4. Prepare the Peas: Cook the peas by boiling or steaming until tender. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool them quickly and stop the cooking process.
5. Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine shredded cabbage, cooled peas, fresh mint leaves, and finely sliced red onion. Add grated parmesan, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, and black pepper.
6. Toss and Season: Toss the salad well to distribute the dressing and ingredients. Adjust seasoning with salt and additional parmesan if desired.
7. Serve: Transfer the salad to serving plates, top with the sliced grilled chicken, and garnish with extra parmesan and black pepper before serving.

Notes

• Marinating the chicken overnight intensifies the flavor but at least 30 minutes is sufficient.
• Fresh peas add sweetness and texture, but frozen peas are a convenient alternative.
• Good quality extra virgin olive oil significantly enhances the dressing.
• Lightly packing the mint leaves preserves their fresh aroma without overpowering the salad.
• Resting the cooked chicken allows the juices to redistribute, keeping it juicy.

Keywords: lemon parmesan cabbage salad, grilled chicken salad, healthy chicken salad, Mediterranean salad, low fat salad recipe, fresh cabbage salad