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Zaatar Crusted Chicken Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing

Yummy grilled chicken with lemon tahini dressing makes the most delicious main dish salad!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes

Ingredients
  

Salad

  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons zaatar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups torn lettuce
  • 1 small handful cherry tomatoes halved
  • ¼ cucumber sliced
  • 1 small ripe avocado sliced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped shelled pistachios
  • torn mint leaves
  • pita chips for serving

Pickled Red Onions

  • 1 whole onion thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
  • 6 garlic cloves peeled
  • 1 cup warm water
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup red or white vinegar

Lemon Tahini Dressing

  • juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons tahini paste
  • 1 clove garlic
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 pinch sugar optional
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons water plus a bit more

Instructions
 

Salad

  • Preheat a skillet or grill pan to medium high heat with some olive oil. Sprinkle the chicken all over the with the salt and zaatar. Grill the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side until cooked through, then move to a cutting board to rest for 5 minutes. Slice the chicken before serving.
  • Build the salads with layers of lettuce, tomato, cucumber, avocado slices, pistachios, mint leaves, and a few pickled onions. Top with the sliced chicken and drizzle with lemon tahini dressing.

Pickled Onions

  • Place the onion slices, garlic cloves, and peppercorns in a jar. Combine the water with the salt and vinegar, then pour the mixture into the jar.
  • Place a lid on the jar and let the pickles sit at room temperature for about an hour, then keep them in the fridge until ready to use. This is a nice mild pickle and can be used immediately, but is best after 4 hours or so.

Dressing

  • Combine all ingredients in a mini food processor or blender (or you can just whisk together after finely chopping the garlic). Process until smooth, then taste. Add a bit more water for a thinner consistency, and some more salt or sugar if needed.

Notes

Prep: I often make the grilled chicken and dressing in advance, then assemble salads right before eating. Easy!
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!