12 Best Dressings for Grilled Chicken Salad

Got the craving for a delicious and healthy grilled chicken salad but undecided on what to dress it with?

You don’t have to worry – here are 12 amazing dressing ideas that will make your mouth water.

Enjoy a healthier way of eating without compromising on flavor – find out all about the benefits of each dressing and give them a try.

Why Use a Dressing for Grilled Chicken Salad?

A dressing can be an essential part of a delicious grilled chicken salad.

Not only does it add flavor, but it also helps bring the components of the salad together in a cohesive way.

Adding the right dressing to your grilled chicken salad should balance out the textures and flavors, bringing out the best in each ingredient.

As such, dressings can be a great way to compliment savory recipes such as grilled chicken salads.

Dressings are typically made from oil, vinegar, spices and herbs and other ingredients depending on desired flavor profiles.

The most important elements to consider when selecting a dressing for use on your grilled chicken salad are color, texture and flavor profiles, salt levels & acidity as well as whether you want additional sweetness or some hint of spice and heat.

Depending on these variables you might find that certain dressings will work better than others for your recipe.

12 Best Dressings for Grilled Chicken Salad

A salad featuring grilled chicken, freshly cut vegetables and a delicious dressing is an incredibly delicious, nutritious and versatile meal option.

A great way to make your grilled chicken salad extra flavorful is to pair it with the perfect dressing.

Here are twelve delicious dressings that you can use to elevate the flavor of your grilled chicken salad:

1. Lemon Garlic Dressing

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Lemon Garlic Dressing is a great choice for grilled chicken salads.

This dressing contains ingredients that pair perfectly with the smoky flavors of grilled chicken, resulting in a light and flavorful salad.

This dressing is a blend of extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic cloves, honey, mustard powder and salt.

The combination of tart lemon juice and sweet honey complements the smokiness of the roasted garlic to create a wonderful flavor that pairs perfectly with grilled chicken.

Lemon Garlic Dressing is easy to make and can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

It makes an excellent healthy option for topping any salad but is especially well suited for grilled chicken salads.

2. Orange Ginger Vinaigrette

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This delicious orange ginger vinaigrette adds a sweet and savory burst of flavor to grilled chicken salads.

It’s easy to make and pairs beautifully with both grilled chicken and a variety of other salad ingredients.

To create this delicious dressing, you’ll need freshly squeezed orange juice, extra virgin olive oil, fresh ginger root, white balsamic vinegar, shallots, honey or agave nectar, and salt and pepper.

Simply combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk until smooth.

The resulting dressing should have a creamy texture that clings beautifully to the grilled chicken as well as the other salad ingredients.

3. Avocado Lime Dressing

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This light and creamy avocado lime dressing is perfect for adding a touch of Southwestern flavor to any grilled chicken salad.

It features creamy avocados and a blend of tangy citrus flavors, making it a great way to elevate your basic grilled chicken salad recipe.

To make this dressing, blend together one large ripe avocado with the juice from one lime, two tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, two teaspoons honey and one tablespoon freshly chopped cilantro.

Once blended, season with salt and pepper to taste.

The result is a refreshingly zesty dressing that will take your grilled chicken salad to the next level.

4. Pomegranate Molasses Vinaigrette

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This Pomegranate Molasses Vinaigrette dressing pairs deliciously with grilled chicken and salad greens.

With light notes of balsamic vinegar, this dressing offers up a bright citrus flavor that’s sure to delight the taste buds.

To make it even more flavorful, add in some freshly minced herbs like parsley or basil.

You’ll need pomegranate molasses (which has a slightly sweet and tart flavor) and olive oil or sunflower oil, as well as freshly squeezed lime juice or bottled lime juice, balsamic vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), salt and pepper.

Once all the ingredients are combined in a bowl or blender, mix until well combined before serving on top of your favorite salad.

Enjoy.

5. Roasted Red Pepper Dressing

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This roasted red pepper dressing is perfect for bringing out the flavors of a grilled chicken salad, with some added heat and sweetness.

The peppers give this dressing a unique smoky and slightly sweet flavor, making it an ideal accompaniment to grilled or smoked chicken.

A splash of red wine vinegar gives just the right tangy kick to make your salad go from plain to punchy.

For best results, look for made-from-scratch roasted red peppers; jarred versions can be too watery.

6. Sesame Soy Dressing

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This bold, zesty dressing combines the flavors of sesame oil and soy sauce for an umami-rich addition to any grilled chicken salad.

To make it, simply mix together 6 tablespoons of light soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of sesame oil, 2 tablespoons of rice wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon of honey and ¼ teaspoon of freshly minced ginger.

You can also add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat if desired.

Drizzle it over a freshly grilled chicken salad for the perfect finishing touch or use as a marinade before grilling the chicken.

This simple and flavorful dressing is sure to take your grilled chicken salads to the next level.

7. Chipotle Lime Dressing

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For a zesty, flavorful dressing, you can’t go wrong with a big kick of chipotle pepper.

Here we add in some honey, lime juice and cumin to create a perfectly balanced dish.

This dressing is easy to make at home: simply mix together 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 tablespoon honey, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 clove minced garlic and 1 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper in a medium bowl until well combined.

Serve over grilled chicken salad and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro for some extra color and flavor.

Enjoy.

8. Herb Buttermilk Dressing

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Herb Buttermilk Dressing is a simple and delicious dressing that can be used to add flavor to grilled chicken salads.

It is made with a combination of buttermilk, mayonnaise, herbs, garlic, and lemon juice.

The buttermilk gives the dressing a lovely tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with grilled chicken.

Herbs like parsley, thyme, oregano and rosemary are blended together to give the dressing an aromatic quality.

Garlic adds a little bit of spice while the lemon juice offers a nice tang.

This dressing works especially well with hearty mixed vegetable salads and complements grilled chicken nicely as it brings out all its best flavors.

9. Apple Cider Vinaigrette

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Apple Cider Vinaigrette is a light, tangy dressing that tastes great with grilled chicken salads.

The combination of apple cider vinegar, honey, olive oil and a touch of mustard provides a sweet, tart flavor that complements the smoky flavors of the grilled chicken.

To make this dressing, you’ll need to whisk together apple cider vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard and salt and pepper.

You can also add a few tablespoons of freshly chopped herbs such as dill or tarragon for an even more flavorful dressing.

Drizzle this vinaigrette over your salad for a fresh and delicious meal.

10. Tahini Dressing

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For a flavorful, nutritious boost to any grilled chicken salad, consider adding tahini dressing.

Tahini dressing is an ideal complement to grilled chicken salad, as it provides a nutty flavor and added protein.

Made with tahini — a paste made from ground sesame seeds — this vegan and gluten-free dressing can be whipped up in minutes and made with just five basic ingredients.

When making the Tahini Dressing, be sure to use good quality tahini or sesame seed paste.

Combine it with garlic powder, tamari (a gluten-free soy sauce), olive oil and lemon juice for a creamy texture that makes perfect pairs with salads of all kinds.

Drizzle the dressing over your grilled chicken salad for an added layer of flavor that is sure to take your dish to the next level.

11. Maple Mustard Dressing

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This classic combination of ingredients makes for a sweet and savory dressing that pairs perfectly with grilled chicken.

The maple syrup adds a mild sweetness while the mustard adds just the right amount of acidity.

To make this dressing, whisk together olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, paprika, sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper in a medium-sized bowl until combined.

Drizzle over your favorite salads for an added layer of flavor or use as a marinade for grilled chicken before putting it on the grill.

Enjoy.

12. Cumin Lime Dressing

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This cumin lime dressing is a vibrant and flavorful dressing that will add a delicious twist to your grilled chicken salad.

The combination of cumin and lime makes for a tasty combination that is sure to create a colorful and flavorful dish.

The dressing is made with lime juice, olive oil, cumin, garlic, honey, pepper, and salt.

The lime and garlic give it a bold flavor while the honey adds some sweetness to balance out the savoriness.

Cumin adds an earthiness that pairs well with the vinaigrette-style of the dressing.

This cumin-lime dressing can be used to dress salads or as a marinade for grilled chicken for added flavor.

Try adding this unique, yet simple dressed grilled chicken salad recipe to your next spring meal.

Conclusion

Grilled chicken salads can often be elevated with the right dressing.

Not only will this add amazing flavor, but it can also provide layers of texture that make the salad particularly pleasant to eat.

If you’re looking to add more fun flavors to your grilled chicken salads consider some avocado cilantro lime yogurt dressing or 1-minute blueberry basil vinaigrette.

There are so many options that you can mix and match different dressings despite using grilled chicken as a common ingredient in every salad.

Have some fun and experiment.