Grilled Corn Salad with Feta Mint the Perfect Sidekick for Chicken
Recipe Introduction
Quick Hook
Fancy some sides for grilled chicken that are actually exciting? This grilled corn salad is the best thing since sliced bread.
It brings sweet, salty, and zesty all together. Think summer BBQ sides done right.
Brief Overview
This Grilled Corn Salad is a classic summer BBQ side from way back. It is easy, fun, and tastes of sunshine.
It takes around 30 minutes to make, including prep. This recipe makes about 6 servings. It is a great Mediterranean salad for chicken .
Main Benefits
Honestly, this Grilled Corn Salad with Feta & Mint is healthy and tasty. It's packed with vitamins from the corn and peppers.
The feta adds a good dose of calcium. Serve this as a quick side for grilled chicken at your next barbie.
The fresh mint and Lime Dressing is a game changer.
Grilled Corn Salad: Your New Go-To BBQ Side Dish
Okay, so you're grilling chicken? Ace! But what about the best side dishes for grilled chicken ? Let's talk Grilled Corn Salad . Seriously, this is not your average boring salad.
Why Grilled Corn Salad is a Winner?
This isn't your average green salad. The secret? The grilled corn! It's got a smoky sweetness. That mixes perfectly with salty Feta Cheese and zingy Lime Dressing .
Get Ready to Grill!
This recipe is so simple. Even if you can’t cook a beans, you can nail this. It takes about 15 minutes of prep.
Grilling the corn is only 15 minutes more. Total time? Just half an hour.
A Salad Bursting with Goodness
The Grilled Corn Salad is healthy, too! Corn has fiber, and the bell pepper is full of vitamins.
Ingredients & Equipment
Alright, let's talk ingredients for the best side dishes for grilled chicken . This Grilled Corn Salad recipe is super flexible.
Honestly, it's more of a guide than a rigid rule book. I made something similar on the fly for a summer BBQ last year when I ran out of potato salad.
Turned out amazing.
Main Ingredients: The Starters
- Fresh Corn: 4 ears (about 4 medium ones). Look for bright green husks, and plump kernels.
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons (30ml). Extra Virgin is always a good shout, you know?
- Red Onion: ½ cup finely diced (around 75g). Adds a nice bite, innit.
- Red Bell Pepper: 1 cored, seeded and diced. Go for shiny skin.
- Feta Cheese: ½ cup crumbled (75g). Creamy and salty, adds that punch.
- Fresh Mint Leaves: ¼ cup chopped (15g). Oh my gosh, fresh is key here!
- Lime Juice: 2 tablespoons (30ml). Freshly squeezed, obviously.
- Honey: 1 tablespoon (15ml). Just a touch of sweetness.
- Salt: ½ teaspoon (3g).
- Black Pepper: ¼ teaspoon (1g).
Seasoning Notes: Amp Up the Flavour
For seasoning, it's all about balance, you know? The lime dressing is the star. The combo of lime and honey is beautiful.
A pinch of red pepper flakes does wonders. Fresh herbs are vital for easy summer salads . Feel free to use basil or cilantro if you are out of fresh mint.
Quick substitution: Feta Cheese ? use goat or cotija.
Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple
All you really need is a grill or grill pan, a large bowl, and a whisk. No need for fancy gadgets! A common household alternative can be a cast iron skillet instead of grill.
That said, sometimes I cheat and use a griddle pan indoors when the weather is rubbish, and it still tastes great.
After all quick sides for grilled chicken are the goal. This Mediterranean salad for chicken will be amazing alongside your Grilled Chicken .
Grilled Corn Salad: The Best Side Dishes for Grilled Chicken
Alright, let's get cookin'! We're talking sides for grilled chicken , eh? Think summer BBQ sides , lazy Sundays, and maybe a Pimm's Cup on the side.
Honestly, I think grilled chicken is amazing, but it needs some friends on the plate. A star needs its supporting cast, right? Let’s whip up something fantastic.
I'm gonna show you my version of grilled corn salad .
This vibrant easy summer salads is like sunshine in a bowl! It's the quintessential side dish for grilled chicken. Sweet grilled corn mingles with salty feta cheese , fragrant mint, and a zesty lime dressing .
It's inspired by classic summer flavors. And you know what? It's so simple to make.
Prep Steps: Mise en Place Like a Pro
First things first, let's get organised. Dice your 1/2 cup of red onion and 1 red bell pepper. Chop your 1/4 cup fresh mint.
Shuck 4 ears fresh corn. Easy peasy! Having everything ready saves so much time, you know? I've learned that the hard way.
Organisation is key!
step-by-step Grilled Corn Salad Magic
Here's how you'll whip this up in no time.
- Brush the 4 ears of shucked corn with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
- Grill over medium heat, turning now and then. This takes about 10- 15 minutes. Look for light char and tender kernels.
- Let the corn cool a bit. Then, cut the kernels off the cob.
- In a big bowl, mix those lovely grilled corn kernels with your diced red onion and red bell pepper. Then, toss in 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese and 1/4 cup chopped mint.
- Whisk together 2 tablespoons lime dressing , 1 tablespoon honey, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- Pour that dressing over the salad. Toss gently to combine.
- Serve this quick sides for grilled chicken immediately. Or, chill for later.
Pro Tips for Grilled Corn Salad
Want to elevate your Mediterranean salad for chicken to the next level? Here are a few tricks.
Don't overcook the corn. Char is good, burnt is bad. Also, fresh herbs are a must. Dried mint? No, thank you! Taste and tweak your lime dressing .
More lime for zing, more honey for sweetness.
One of the BBQ side dishes recipes that I do sometimes that always does the trick, is to wait to dress the salad until right before serving! .
Nobody likes soggy corn, you know? You can get a spicy kick by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing, or a finely diced jalapeno to the salad for sure.
Recipe Notes
Alright, let's talk about the nitty gritty of this amazing Grilled Corn Salad . Honestly, it's pretty straightforward, but a few tips and tricks can really make it sing.
Plus, we need to think about how to make it the Best side dishes for grilled chicken , right?
Serving Suggestions
Okay, presentation is key. I like to pile this Grilled Corn Salad high in a rustic bowl. A little sprinkle of extra Feta Cheese and fresh mint on top? Chef's kiss! Thinking Summer BBQ Sides ? You could even serve it in individual little ramekins for a fancy touch.
As for what to serve it with? Grilled Chicken , duh! But also, think about grilled fish or even black bean burgers.
Seriously, the sweetness of the corn and the saltiness of the Feta Cheese work wonders with anything that's been kissed by the flame.
A nice crisp white wine or even a cold beer would be perfect too. Basically anything on the Summer BBQ Sides selection goes.
Storage Tips
Leftovers? If you have any (highly unlikely!), you can totally keep this in the fridge. Just pop it in an airtight container and it'll be good for about 3 days.
I'd recommend storing the dressing separately if you can, just to stop the corn from getting soggy. Honestly, I've never tried freezing it, but I wouldn't recommend it.
The corn might get a bit mushy when you thaw it.
Reheating? Just give it a good toss and it's good to go! No need to heat it up; it's meant to be served cold.
Variations
Want to mix things up? You got it! For a vegan version, just swap out the feta for some toasted almonds or a vegan feta alternative, and use agave nectar instead of honey in the Lime Dressing .
Easy peasy!
If you're feeling spicy, a pinch of red pepper flakes in the dressing will add a nice kick. Or, if you’re aiming for a Mediterranean salad for chicken, chuck in some chopped cucumber, Kalamata olives and sun-dried tomatoes.
Loads of people have told me the Lime Dressing works incredibly well with tomatoes!. Seasonal ingredient swaps are also very doable here.
This time of year you can also find awesome corn to make Easy summer salads .
Nutrition Basics
Okay, so each serving of this yummy Grilled Corn Salad is around 200 calories. It's got about 6g of protein, 11g of fat, and 22g of carbs.
Plus, you're getting a good dose of fiber and vitamins from the corn and veggies. It's not just tasty, it's actually good for you!
Honestly, this Grilled Corn Salad is a total winner. It's quick, easy, and packed with flavour. It's the perfect side dishes for grilled chicken and it brings some color and freshness to your table.
So get grilling and enjoy!
It's one of my go-to BBQ side dishes recipes , what can I say?.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best sides for grilled chicken, especially for a BBQ?
When it comes to sides for grilled chicken at a BBQ, you want something fresh and flavorful! This Grilled Corn Salad with Feta & Mint is a winner because it balances the richness of the chicken. Plus, it’s easy to make-ahead, leaving you more time to enjoy that G&T while tending the grill, right?
Can I make this grilled corn salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, the flavors meld together even better if you let the salad sit for a few hours. Just hold off on adding the dressing until right before serving to keep the corn and veggies nice and crisp. Nobody wants a soggy salad that's just not cricket!
I'm looking for healthy sides for grilled chicken. Is this corn salad a good option?
You bet! This salad is packed with nutrients from the corn, red pepper, and fresh herbs. While feta adds some richness, it's used sparingly. To make it even healthier, you could use a lighter olive oil, reduce the amount of feta, or add in some extra greens like spinach or arugula.
Just remember to factor in the full nutritional information in your daily meal plan.
What if I don't have a grill? Can I still make this grilled corn salad?
No worries, mate! If you don't have a grill, you can still char the corn kernels in a grill pan on your stovetop. Or, you can roast the corn in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes, turning occasionally, until lightly browned. It might not have the exact smoky flavor, but it will still be delicious.
Necessity is the mother of invention, as they say!
I'm allergic to dairy. What are some substitutions I can make to this recipe and still enjoy the best sides for grilled chicken?
No worries at all! Simply omit the feta cheese. You can replace it with toasted slivered almonds for a similar salty crunch, or look for a vegan feta alternative. And, always double check that the honey you are using is produced using vegan standards! Enjoy, you won't be disappointed!
How long will this grilled corn salad last in the fridge?
Properly stored in an airtight container in the fridge, the grilled corn salad will last for up to 3 days. Keep in mind that the longer it sits, the softer the corn will become. It's still perfectly safe to eat, but the texture won't be quite as vibrant as when it's freshly made.
Grilled Corn Salad With Feta Mint The Perfect Si
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 200 calories |
|---|---|
| Fat | 11g |
| Fiber | 3g |
