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Want to fire up the grill? These grilled dinner ideas are perfect for entertaining or a laid back evening in, from shrimp tacos to grilled cheese.

Grilled dinner ideas: chicken salad recipe
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Want to fire up the grill? Yes, grilling season is all about infusing that smoky, charred flavor into everything you touch. Here’s the thing: the grill’s not just for burgers and hot dogs! There are so many grilled dinner ideas beyond the bun.

Alex and I are huge grill fans. In fact, if it’s food, we’ve probably tried to grill it! We love unique things like BBQ cauliflower and grilled Caesar salad, just as much as more traditional things like grilled salmon.

Here, we’ve collected our top favorite easy grilled dinner ideas! From our very best grilled veggie burger that stays together on the grill (we promise!) to our always popular grilled shrimp tacos, we think you’ll love every single one of them. Ready to get started?

Our top grilled dinner ideas!

More grilled dinner ideas

And, just in case you still need more inspiration: a few more dinner ideas where those came from!

Frequently asked questions

What are some easy grilled dinner ideas for beginners?

Great question! For those new to grilling, try simple recipes like purchased burgers, hot dogs, sausages, chicken breasts, or kebabs. These are easy to prepare and cook quickly, making them perfect for weeknight meals.

Can I grill fruit for dessert?

Absolutely! Grilled fruit is a delicious and healthy dessert option. Try grilled pineapple, grilled peaches, grilled bananas, grilled apples, or even watermelon for a unique flavor experience.

How do I know when my grilled food is done?

Use a meat thermometer to ensure your food is cooked to the proper internal temperature. You can also check for visual cues like tenderness, color change, and juices running clear.

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25 Grilled Dinner Ideas: Grilled Summer Salad & More!

Grilled Chicken Salad with Italian dressing.
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4.5 from 2 reviews

Get ready for a flavor explosion! This grilled chicken salad recipe combines juicy chicken, crunchy vegetables and a tangy Italian vinaigrette, topped with pepperoncini and Parmesan for a zesty, satisfying meal.

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Grilled
  • Cuisine: Grilled
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 recipe grilled chicken, grilled shrimp, grilled salmon, or grilled tofu
  • 1 recipe Italian Dressing*
  • 1 romaine heart (3 cups)
  • 5 cups leafy lettuce, like butter (Bibb) lettuce or other varieties
  • 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced, soaked in cold water for 5 minutes, and drained
  • 1 English cucumber (2 cups chopped)
  • ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 avocado, sliced (optional)
  • ½ cup jarred sliced pepperoncini
  • ¼ cup Parmesan shavings or shreds
  • Fresh basil or dill, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel. If not already butterflied, place your hand over the top of each chicken breast. Use a sharp knife to carefully slice the breast horizontally, leaving the edge intact so it can open up like a book (or butterfly!). Unfold the breast like a book, then cut along the fold to separate the two halves.
  2. Add the chicken to a container and add the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, dill, kosher salt, and a few grinds of black pepper. Mix with your hands until evenly coated. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours). 
  3. Preheat a grill to high heat (450 to 550°F).
  4. Meanwhile for the salad, make the Italian dressing. Prepare the romaine, lettuce, onion, cucumber, tomatoes, and avocado. 
  5. Grill the chicken breasts until grill marks appear and it releases from the grates, 2 to 4 minutes. Flip and cook until no longer pink in the center and the internal temperature is 165°F, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove to a platter and cover with foil. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing for maximum juiciness.
  6. Place the greens on a plate, then top with the vegetables, grilled chicken, pepperoncini, Parmesan shavings, and basil or dill. Drizzle with the desired amount of dressing and serve. If making in advance, refrigerate the components separately; bring the dressing to room temperature before serving. Leftover chicken stores up to 3 days, refrigerated.

Notes

*If desired, you can also substitute different dressing recipes or purchased dressings. Try Greek Salad Dressing, Balsamic Vinaigrette, Easy Vinaigrette, or Honey Mustard Dressing.

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About the authors

Alex & Sonja

Hi! We’re Alex & Sonja Overhiser, authors of the acclaimed cookbooks A Couple Cooks and Pretty Simple Cooking—and a real life couple who cooks together. We founded the A Couple Cooks website in 2010 to share seasonal recipes and the joy of home cooking. Now, we’ve got over 3,000 well-tested recipes, including Mediterranean diet, vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, smoothies, cocktails, and more!

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2 Comments

  1. Mcdvoice says:

    Exactly what I needed! You just saved me several hours. Thanks!






  2. mcdvoice says:

    That things are going to very very amazing.