Got leftover chicken? A little rice and some summer herbs and tomatoes are all you need to turn leftovers into a delicious summer chicken rice salad! Perfect for a quick and healthy warm weather lunch or supper.
I know, I know, this is my second post in a row with the word “summer” in it, and technically it isn’t exactly summer yet.
But it’s only a matter of days, and there’s nothing like being prepared, I always say. Especially when it comes to summer, and especially when it comes to things like fresh basil and grilled chicken and sweet tomatoes and all the glorious things you can make with them. Things like this easy and delicious summer chicken rice salad!
Whenever the Southern husband is grilling up chicken, we ALWAYS make sure to toss a few extra pieces on, just so that we have extra to make things like this wonderful chicken rice salad.
Since cold leftover grilled chicken is so very very tempting when it is just sitting around in the fridge, I do have to say in a very stern voice that nobody is allowed to just randomly eat pieces of leftover grilled chicken when the spirit moves them, and I’ve been known to leave threatening Post-It notes on the actual containers of grilled chicken in the refrigerator.
Hey, you do what you have to do!
Here’s how you make summer chicken rice salad!
Assuming your leftover grilled chicken makes it through safely, this lovely dish could not be easier! Make the dressing by putting a little olive oil and lemon juice in a small jar and shaking vigorously.
Now pop that chicken and some cut up cherry tomatoes tomatoes in a large bowl and toss with the dressing. Let it stand around for 15 minutes so those summer flavors have a chance to mingle together, and then add some freshly cooked rice and toss it up with some basil and salt and pepper.
And there you have it. All in one dish. It’s so easy, it’s almost not fair.
But hey, it’s summertime, and the living is easy. Almost. One more week!
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Summer Chicken Rice Salad
Prep Time: 10 minutes- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
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Pin RecipeDescription
Got leftover chicken? A little rice and some summer herbs and tomatoes are all you need to turn leftovers into a delicious summer chicken rice salad!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (grilled chicken works wonderfully for this recipe!)
- 1 pint halved cherry tomatoes
- 3 cups rice, cooked and cooled to room temperature
- Salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup sliced fresh basil
Instructions
- Make dressing by combining olive oil and lemon juice in a small jar and shaking vigorously.
- Put chicken and tomatoes in a large bowl and toss with the dressing. Let stand for 15 minutes.
- Add rice and toss. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Just before serving, add basil. Serve with a little more ground pepper on top.
OTHER SUMMERY CHICKEN RECIPES WE LOVE!
 Take advantage of all those fresh summer veggies in this simple and colorful recipe for Chicken Zucchini Pasta! |
 This comfort food recipe for summertime chicken and biscuits adds lots of fresh summer veggies to this suppertime favorite! |
 When I break out this recipe for summer tomato peach chicken salad, you better believe that summer is TRULY here! |
This does look very summery. I quite often make a chicken salad recipe of Jamie Oliver’s with leftover roast chicken. No tomatoes, but it does have basil, yogurt, mayo, almonds and cumin. It is so good!
That salad sounds absolutely perfect – must give it a try!
I make something very similar, only I use orzo instead of rice and I throw in some toasted pine nuts. Yummy! Love that easy summer cooking!
Love orzo – I have an orzo recipe going up this week! Yum.
Going to try this one right away. I’m thinking of substituting quinoa or farrow for the rice to boost the protein as well as maintain our efforts to stay away from white foods as much as possible. Any thoughts on how it might need to be changed? More dressing? More/different herbs?
Thanks. I love all your recipes!
I’m not sure about quinoa in this one, but I think farro would be fantastic! You might want to up the dressing just a bit so that it can hold it’s own with the more substantial farro, and more herbs are always great….aside from that I think you should be fine! Let us know how it turns out! :)
Yum!
That just about sums it up! :)
I detest mayo so I always cringe a little when I see “salads” that feature it…but this just put a big smile on my face! So perfect for summer!
Hurray! Smiling right back at you. :)
This salad is so perfect! Full of delicious flavors :)
Just the ticket for a summer salad – yay, SUMMER!
Just made this for friends and family, and it was a hit. Served chilled with a bit of garlic and extra dressing, and it was a perfect summertime dish!
★★★★★
Hi Joseph! So glad you liked this recipe, and loved your garlic addition – I’ll have to add that next time! Happy summer!
Stupid question
Is it 3 cups cooked or uncooked rice?
Three cups cooked rice! :)
Very tasty and so easy to make. Perfect summer dish with the fresh basil, cherry tomatoes. and light dressing. Will definitely make it again
★★★★
I’m so glad you liked it! It’s one of our summertime faves. :)