Spiced Grilled Chicken Salad (Printer Version)

Aromatic spiced chicken combines with fresh vegetables and creamy yogurt dressing for an easy, gluten-free Middle Eastern dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

→ 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

→ 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

# How to Make It:

01 - In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, salt, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Mix thoroughly until all spices are evenly distributed.
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 5-7 minutes per side until 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 fresh 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 combined.
06 - Divide salad mixture among serving plates, top with sliced chicken, and drizzle with yogurt dressing. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The chicken stays juicy and full of flavor without needing a marinade longer than 15 minutes.
  • Everything comes together in one bowl, so there's barely any cleanup afterward.
  • The yogurt dressing is tangy and creamy enough to make you forget about heavy sauces.
  • You can prep the vegetables and dressing ahead, then grill the chicken right before serving.
02 -
  • Don't skip resting the chicken after grilling, or all the juices will run out when you slice it.
  • If your grill pan isn't hot enough, the chicken will steam instead of char and lose that smoky edge.
  • Taste the dressing before serving because yogurt brands vary in tanginess and you might need more lemon or salt.
03 -
  • If you marinate the chicken the night before, the flavors go even deeper and the texture gets more tender.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check for 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part, especially with chicken breasts.
  • For a smoky outdoor flavor, grill the chicken on a real barbecue instead of a pan.
  • Slice the red onion as thinly as possible so it doesn't overpower the other vegetables.
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