Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size chunks
- Juice & zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried mint (or dried dill or thyme)
For the Salad
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 2 Persian cucumbers, chopped
- 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and chopped
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved or quartered
- ¼ red onion or small shallot, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup pitted Kalamata olives
- ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled or cubed
For the Lemon Herb Tahini Dressing
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 3 tablespoons tahini
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon finely minced cilantro (or parsley)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and zest, olive oil, minced garlic, fresh parsley, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and dried mint. Place the bite-sized chicken pieces in a dish or a sealable bag and pour the marinade over them. Toss well to coat each piece evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes up to overnight to let flavors infuse.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large heavy-duty skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the marinated chicken pieces and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking. The chicken should develop a nice sear on the outside while being tender and fully cooked inside. Remove from heat once done.
- Prepare the Tahini Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, tahini, balsamic vinegar, minced cilantro, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. If the dressing is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of water gradually, whisking until desired consistency is achieved. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, Persian cucumbers, avocado, cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, and Kalamata olives. Toss gently to mix the vegetables. Top the salad with the warm cooked chicken pieces. Drizzle the lemon herb tahini dressing evenly over the salad. Garnish with crumbled feta cheese and additional fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy warm.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight develops deeper flavor but 30 minutes minimum works well for a quick meal.
- If you prefer a spicier salad, increase the red pepper flakes in the marinade.
- The tahini dressing can be thinned with water or extra lemon juice to suit your liking.
- Substitute fresh dill, thyme, or mint for different herb notes in the marinade.
- For a low sodium version, reduce the added salt and use low sodium feta.
- Leftover chicken can be stored separately and added right before serving to keep salad fresh.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Low Fat