Spiced Grilled Chicken Salad (Print Version)

Aromatic spiced chicken paired with crisp vegetables and creamy yogurt dressing in this Middle Eastern-inspired main course.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tsp ground cumin
04 - 2 tsp ground coriander
05 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
06 - 1 tsp ground turmeric
07 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
08 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
09 - 1 tsp 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 oz mixed salad greens
16 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

→ Yogurt Dressing

17 - 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
18 - 1 tbsp olive oil
19 - Juice of 1/2 lemon
20 - 1 garlic clove, minced
21 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
22 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# How To Make:

01 - In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, salt, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Whisk until fully blended.
02 - Add chicken pieces to the marinade and toss thoroughly to coat all surfaces. Allow to rest for at least 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor development.
03 - Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook marinated chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until fully cooked and lightly charred. Transfer to a cutting board and rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - In a large bowl, combine diced cucumber, diced tomatoes, sliced red onion, mixed salad greens, and fresh 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 creamy.
06 - Distribute salad mixture among serving plates, arrange sliced chicken on top, and drizzle generously with yogurt dressing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The spice blend creates layers of warmth without any actual heat, making it friendly for everyone at the table.
  • It feels like restaurant food but comes together in less than an hour, even on a weeknight.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day when the chicken has soaked up all the dressing.
02 -
  • If you skip the resting time after cooking, all the juices will run out onto your cutting board instead of staying in the chicken.
  • Marinating for less than 15 minutes means the spices sit on the surface instead of soaking in, and the flavor won't be as deep.
  • Always taste your yogurt dressing before serving, some yogurts are tangier than others and need more lemon or salt to balance.
03 -
  • Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before marinating so the spices stick better and you get a deeper sear.
  • If your grill pan isn't hot enough, the chicken will steam instead of char, and you'll miss out on those crispy, caramelized edges.
  • Always slice the chicken against the grain, it makes every bite more tender and easier to chew.
Go Back