• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Chef Dennis
  • Recipe Index
  • My Recipes
  • On the Road
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Cookie Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Recent Recipes
  • Holiday Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Ask Chef Dennis » Recipes » Starters » Salad Recipes » How to Build the Perfect Dinner Salad

    How to Build the Perfect Dinner Salad

    Published: Jan 17, 2019 · Modified: Jun 25, 2022 by Chef Dennis Littley · 20 Comments·This post includes affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    1.1K shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    5 from 8 votes
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    pinterest image for dinner salad

    Building the perfect dinner salad isn’t hard to do. There are no rules to making a good dinner salad, but there are some key elements every good dinner salad should contain.

    • Greens
    • Protein
    • Fruit
    • Nuts
    • Cheese

    After you’ve got those ingredients the sky’s the limit and using what you have on hand adds variety each time you make your Perfect Dinner Salad.

    partial overhead view of a mixed summertime salad with berries, vegetables, nuts, chicken and cheese in a white bowl

    Being a chef and the grocery shopper does have it’s advantages. I get to pick up items that I know I’m going to use in dishes, but some items I pick up simply because they look good or I want them.

    The important thing to remember when you buy produce is to keep it in sight, not buried in your vegetable crisper. Throwing out produce because it spoiled makes me very sad.

    But making delicious and healthy salads using a variety of ingredients not only keeps your spoilage at home to a minimum, and it makes for interesting and delicious meals.

    How many times have you heard someone tell you “I don’t like salads”? For the most part that’s because the only salad they’ve ever been served is a lifeless hunk of iceberg with a few other sad ingredients, doused in salad dressing.

    What do I need to make the perfect dinner salad?

    overhead view of ingredients to make the perfect dinner salad on a wooden cutting board

    After purchasing all of my ingredients its time to start building the perfect dinner salad. As a chef, I got into the habit of building my mise en place (everything in its place)

    As a chef, I got into the habit of building my mise en place (everything in its place) whenever I have to make a dish, even a salad. You’d be amazed at the ideas that come to you as you gather your ingredients. Often times you’ll end up adding items you

    You’d be amazed at the ideas that come to you as you gather your ingredients. Often times you’ll end up adding items you would never have thought of including as you go through the process of prepping your ingredients.

    How can I prepare the Chicken for my Dinner Salad?

    Grilled chicken is one of my favorite additions to a dinner salad but when you want to change things up try these on your salad.

    • Blackened Chicken
    • Teriyaki Chicken (grilled or oven)
    • Buffalo Chicken (breaded or unbreaded)
    • Lemon Pepper Chicken
    • Fried Chicken

    Can I use Seafood In my Dinner Salad?

    You sure can. Adding seafood to your salad really kicks it up a few notches.

    Here are some of my favorite seafood additions to a dinner salad.

    • Salmon (grilled or blackened)
    • Tuna (grilled or pan-seared)
    • Shrimp
    • Lobster
    • Crabmeat

    What types of cheese can I use in my Salad?

    I love a flavorful cheese in my salads, but the key to enjoying eating what you prepare is using the ingredients you like. So if you like milder cheese go with what you like, it’s your salad.

    My choices are:

    • Bleu Cheese 
    • Gorgonzola
    • Cheddar
    • Goat Cheese
    • Feta
    • Parmigiano Reggiano

    Do I have to use Nuts in my Salad?

    No, you don’t. It adds another dimension to the salad along with an extra crunch. This is your salad and feel free to leave out the nuts. If you’d like to replace the nuts, try some of these ingredients as replacements or additions.

    • Toasted Seeds (sunflower, pumpkin or your choice)
    • croutons 
    • wasabi peas
    dinner salad with a variety of vegetables, berries , chicken, nuts and cheese on a bed of greens on a large white platter

    Once all of your ingredients are gathered, it also gives you the opportunity to build the final presentation of your dish. Eye appeal is just as important as taste. Take that extra minute or so to make everything perfect. This was my presentation of my salad before I tossed it with my salad dressing.

    Building your perfect dinner salad does take a little time. Prepping the vegetables can be a social time in the kitchen for your family and friends, getting everyone involved in the process.

    This makes my perfect dinner salad not only delicious and healthy but easy to make. Eating healthy isn’t always easy, but enjoying a hearty salad like this will make you feel good about dinner.

    If you enjoyed this salad you may also like these:

    • Nicoise Salad with Grilled Shrimp
    • How to Make Summertime Salad
    • Blackened Salmon Salad
    • Blackened Shrimp Nachos and Salad

    Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

    Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST!

    dinner salad, tyson, wishbone, walmart
    Print Recipe Save Saved!
    5 from 8 votes

    Perfect Dinner Salad

    When it comes to building the perfect salad there are four components that will take your salads from boring to spectacular.
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time0 mins
    Total Time20 mins
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 3
    Calories: 425kcal
    Author: Chef Dennis Littley

    Ingredients

    • 4 cups mixed greens- chopped
    • ½ cup blueberries
    • ½ cup sliced strawberries
    • ½ cup sliced cucumbers
    • ½ cup diced carrots
    • ½ cup diced sweet peppers
    • ½ cup chopped celery
    • ½ cup Italian cheese
    • ½ cup pecans and pistachio’s
    • 2 cups Grilled Chicken breast
    • 2 ounces your favorite salad dressing
    US Customary – Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Grill or roast chicken breast and allow to cool
    • Set up your mise en place by preparing all of your ingredients.
    • Build your salad, taking time to make it look pretty.
    • Toss your salad in front of your guests.
    • Serve your salad with your favorite salad dressing and crusty bread.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 425kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 336mg | Potassium: 664mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 5040IU | Vitamin C: 63.1mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 2.1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!
    pinterest image for diner salad
    « Visit Northern Burgundy on a European Waterways Hotel Barge Cruise
    Experience The Best of Northern Italy on a Guided Tour #GoCollette »

    About Chef Dennis

    Picture of Chef Dennis

    Chef Dennis is a semi-retired Chef, writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of A Culinary Journey with Chef Dennis aka Ask Chef Dennis®. Chef Dennis worked professionally in White Table Cloth Restaurants for 40 years and has been developing easy to make, restaurant-style recipes since 2009. The second phase of his reinvention from chef to blogger has earned him a place at the Worlds Dinner Table. Join him on his Culinary Journey enjoying his easy to make Restaurant Style recipes and travel adventures. For more details, check out his About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Claudia Krusch

      January 19, 2019 at 8:34 pm

      5 stars
      I love trying new salads! Your tips are so amazing! I’ve been looking for new options!

      Reply
    2. Brandy

      January 18, 2019 at 8:47 am

      This really is the perfect dinner salad. I’ll have to make this for my family one day and see what they think!

      Reply
    3. Chubskulit Rose

      January 18, 2019 at 7:44 am

      I love all the ingredients you have. I love fruits and nuts in a salad so this is perfect for me.

      Reply
    4. Catalina

      January 18, 2019 at 7:25 am

      5 stars
      Yes! Yes! Yes! This salad wil be always a WINNER in my house! Salads are my favorite lunch idea!

      Reply
    5. Heather

      January 17, 2019 at 10:35 pm

      I am a big fan of salad. I could eat it twice a day, everyday. You can change it up and make it taste different every time.

      Reply
    6. Pam

      January 17, 2019 at 8:20 pm

      I love salads at restaurants but at home I feel like they are sometimes lacking. I needed this post about perfect dinner salads for sure!

      Reply
    7. Sarah Bailey

      January 17, 2019 at 7:08 pm

      I am really funny with salads but I would 100% give this a try, it sounds like it would be absolutely delicious and something I would tuck into and enjoy.

      Reply
    8. Ricci

      January 17, 2019 at 6:34 pm

      This salad looks super colorful and yummy!! When I need to get more color in my diet I always make a big salad because that’s always the easiest way for me to do it!

      Reply
    9. Jenn@Engineermommy

      January 17, 2019 at 12:32 pm

      I’m always trying to eat salads for dinner to stay healthy, but sometimes they can be unsatisfying. This salad looks so delicious and satisfying! It is surely a full meal.

      Reply
    10. Tasheena

      January 17, 2019 at 12:28 pm

      5 stars
      These are really helpful tips. I really enjoy having a variety in my salads. Looking forward to giving your tips a try.

      Reply
    11. Stacie

      January 17, 2019 at 11:47 am

      5 stars
      That’s the best salad I’ve ever seen! I love all the flavors, and it’s so healthy, too. I can’t wait to make this.

      Reply
    12. Cherri Megasko

      January 17, 2019 at 11:10 am

      Oh my goodness … I wish I could just dive right into my computer screen and devour that salad. It is so beautiful that even the most die-hard carnivore would love it.

      Reply
    13. Tamara

      January 17, 2019 at 10:57 am

      5 stars
      I could eat a huge bowl of that every day of my life. I adore salads and that recipe has everything I love to eat in one.

      Reply
    14. Amber Myers

      January 17, 2019 at 10:50 am

      5 stars
      This is my kind of dinner salad! I normally make one from a bag, I won’t lie. But I should branch out and make one like this now and again.

      Reply
    15. Janet

      January 17, 2019 at 9:25 am

      This is perfect for how we eat here. I am dairy free and my husband is not, so I’d just eliminate cheese on my salad.

      Reply
    16. Gisele

      January 17, 2019 at 9:22 am

      5 stars
      This looks awesome, not only is it healthy but really colorful!

      Reply
    17. Candy

      January 17, 2019 at 9:21 am

      I am so grateful my family enjoy a good salad for a complete meal. Will have to try this one out

      Reply
    18. Jeanette

      January 17, 2019 at 9:08 am

      That is a salad that I wish my had right now. I’m trying to eat healthier and this is a perfect way to do that. I may just have to make it for my lunches this week.

      Reply
    19. Alli Smith

      January 17, 2019 at 9:07 am

      5 stars
      I’ll have to remember the four components whenever I’m building a dinner salad. I usually do have these four components in my salad so yay. I also love the idea of tossing the salad in front of my dinner guests. I’m looking forward to my next dinner party.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar


    I'm Chef Dennis and Welcome to my Culinary Journey where I share my Restaurant-Style Recipes & Travel Adventures. My goal in sharing my recipes and cooking tips is to make you feel more comfortable in your kitchen, and help you find the joy of cooking! 

    More about me →

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Fan Favorites

    • Easy Chicken Parmesan Recipe : Restaurant Style
    • Ultimate Grilled Chicken Sandwich
    • How to Make Restaurant Style Oysters Rockefeller
    • German Bee Sting Cake (Bienenstich) Recipe
    • How to make Restaurant-Style Seafood Soup
    • Restaurant Style Veal Parm Recipe
    • Best Restaurant Style Chicken Salad
    • Cannoli Cream Filling Cake

    Featured In

    logos of all the places chef dennis has been featured

    Popular Posts

    • Authentic Guinness Beef Stew Recipe
    • Maryland Style Jumbo Lump Crab Imperial
    • German Bee Sting Cake (Bienenstich) Recipe
    • How to Make Restaurant Style Oysters Rockefeller
    • How to Grill a Steak House Style Ribeye Steak
    • Oven Roasted Rack of Pork – Restaurant Style Dinner

    Most Popular Posts

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    INFO

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    SUBSCRIBE

    Sign Up Today and start getting my easy-to-make restaurant-style recipes!

    CONTACT

    • About
    • Contact

    © 2009-2022 · Ask Chef Dennis · Privacy Policy · Accessibility Statement

    Proud Member of:
    Mediavine Publisher Network
    1.1K shares
    • 166
    • 6