Spiced Grilled Chicken Salad (Printable Version)

Aromatic spiced chicken with crisp vegetables and creamy yogurt dressing. A flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired main dish.

# Components:

→ For the Chicken

01 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 2 teaspoons ground cumin
04 - 2 teaspoons ground coriander
05 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
09 - 1 teaspoon salt
10 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
11 - Juice of 1 lemon

→ For the Salad

12 - 1 large cucumber, diced
13 - 2 medium tomatoes, diced
14 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
15 - 3.5 ounces mixed salad greens
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

→ For the Yogurt Dressing

17 - 7 ounces plain Greek yogurt
18 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
19 - Juice of 1/2 lemon
20 - 1 garlic clove, minced
21 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
22 - Salt and pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, salt, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Stir thoroughly until well combined.
02 - Add chicken pieces to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor development.
03 - Preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook marinated chicken for 5 to 7 minutes per side until fully cooked through and lightly charred. Remove from heat and rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
04 - In a large bowl, combine diced cucumber, diced tomatoes, sliced red onion, mixed salad greens, and chopped parsley.
05 - In a separate bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, ground cumin, salt, and pepper until smooth and well incorporated.
06 - Divide salad mixture among serving plates, arrange sliced chicken on top, and drizzle with yogurt dressing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It delivers all the smoky, spiced complexity of shawarma without the rotisserie or the wait.
  • The yogurt dressing cools and complements the warm spices in a way that feels both indulgent and light.
  • You can prep the chicken ahead and toss the salad together in under ten minutes when hunger strikes.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting time after cooking the chicken or all the juices will run out onto your cutting board instead of staying in the meat.
  • If your spices smell flat or dusty, they're too old and won't deliver the flavor this dish needs, so replace them.
  • Marinating for the full 2 hours makes a noticeable difference, the spices penetrate deeper and the lemon starts to tenderize the meat.
03 -
  • Toast your ground spices in a dry pan for 30 seconds before mixing the marinade, it wakes up the oils and deepens the flavor dramatically.
  • A squeeze of lemon over the finished salad just before serving adds a final burst of brightness that makes everything pop.
  • If you're serving this for guests, set out small bowls of pickled vegetables, olives, and extra herbs so people can customize their plates.
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