Watermelon & Feta Salad
Juicy watermelon, cool cucumbers, savory cooked chicken, salty feta, and a tangy balsamic glaze all come together in this super easy and flavorful salad. It’s one of those beautiful combinations that just works.
I started making this a few summers ago when I needed a way to use up leftover grilled chicken and a giant watermelon, and I’ve been hooked ever since. It’s one of those throw-it-together meals that somehow tastes next-level fancy but is secretly so effortless. My kids even ask for seconds!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 15 Minutes – Just a few simple steps and no cooking required!
- So Refreshing – Perfect for hot summer days.
- 24 Grams Protein – With 1/2 cup of chicken per serving, this salad is balanced and satisfying.
- Sweet + Savory Combo – Watermelon and feta are seriously a match made in heaven.
- Gluten-Free – Naturally gluten-free with wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this Watermelon Feta Chicken Salad:
- Watermelon – Cubed or balled for that juicy, sweet bite. Make sure it’s cold!
- Cucumber – Any type of cucumber works great.
- Cooked Chicken – Grilled, rotisserie, or leftover shredded chicken all work here.
- Fresh Basil – I love the flavor of fresh basil, but you could also use dried. Mint would work great as well!
- Feta Cheese – Goat cheese would taste amazing, too!
- Walnuts or Almonds – Both add a satisfying crunch.
For the Dressing:
- Olive Oil – I use a high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best quality and taste.
- Lemon Juice – I like to use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor.
- Balsamic Glaze – You can find this bottled at most grocery stores. While many dressings use balsamic vinegar, a glaze adds a bit of sweetness and makes for a thicker dressing that pairs perfectly with the watermelon!
- Salt & Pepper
Need to make it nut-free? Just leave out the walnuts or almonds, or swap them for sunflower seeds!
How to Make Watermelon Feta Chicken Salad
Here’s a quick overview of how to throw this salad together in just 15 minutes:
- Combine the Ingredients – Toss the watermelon, cucumber, and chicken into a large salad bowl (I love adding it into a pretty one for an elevated experience!).
- Add the Extras – Sprinkle in chopped basil, crumbled feta, and your choice of nuts.
- Make the Dressing – Shake the dressing ingredients in a jar until smooth.
- Toss to Coat – Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently. That’s it!
Tip: Serve this right away while everything is fresh and chilled!
Tips
- Keep Ingredients Cold – This salad is best when everything is nice and chilled. I like to keep the watermelon and cucumber in the fridge until right before making it.
- Use Pre-Cooked Chicken – Leftover grilled chicken or rotisserie chicken saves so much time!
- Meal Prep Tip – You can prep all the ingredients ahead of time and store them separately, then toss everything together just before serving.
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Variations
Watermelon Mint Chicken Salad – Swap the basil for fresh mint for a cooling, summery flavor! It’s super refreshing and pairs perfectly with the sweet watermelon.
Strawberry Feta Chicken Salad – Use strawberries instead of watermelon for a juicy, slightly tangy twist.
Grilled Peach Chicken Salad – Grilled peaches add a warm, caramelized sweetness that’s so good in this salad.
Vegetarian Version – Leave out the chicken and add extra feta or a handful of chickpeas for plant-based protein.
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How to Store Watermelon & Feta Salad
This salad is best enjoyed fresh, but you can totally store the ingredients separately if you need to prep ahead or are making a meal prep batch.
- Refrigerator – Store the salad components in separate containers for up to 2-3 days. Keep the dressing in a small jar and shake before using.
- Pre-Assembled Salad – If you’ve already mixed everything, it’ll keep in the fridge for about a day. Just note that the watermelon can release some extra juice!
More Healthy Summer Salad Recipes
- Peach Mozzarella Salad
- Healthy Cobb Salad
- Black Bean Salad
- Avocado Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Lemon Balsamic Lentil Salad
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Watermelon Feta Chicken Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
Salad
- 3 cups watermelon (cubed or balled)
- 1 1/2 cups cubed cucumber
- 2 cups cooked chicken (cubed or shredded)
- 2-3 Tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts (or sliced almonds)
Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil (extra virgin)
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 Tablespoons balsamic glaze
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Combine the watermelon, cucumber, and chicken in a large salad bowl (or divide into individual bowls).
- Add in the freshly chopped basil, feta cheese, and chopped walnuts.
- Shake the dressing ingredients together until smooth.
- Drizzle over the salad and toss to coat. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Serve this right away while everything is fresh and chilled for best texture and flavor.
- Storing salad components separately allows a longer fridge life of up to 3 days. If stored together it is best consumed within 1 day.
Tisha says:
This salad is refreshing and perfect for summer! Light and delicious! Thanks for sharing
amy liu dong says:
I made this for my lunch and it was so delicious and so easy to make, even my kids love it!
Elisa says:
My family loved this recipe. It was so refreshing and easy to do. Thank you!
Elisa says:
This recipe was so delicious that my family loved it! Thank you!
Nora says:
This is exactly the kind of meal I crave on hot summer days! Light, fresh, and satisfying! The combo of sweet watermelon, salty feta, and juicy chicken is just perfect. Definitely a keeper!
Paula says:
This watermelon chicken salad was fantastic! The sweet and savory combination was out of this world!