Unveiling the Irresistible Mediterranean Chicken Salad: Packed with Flavor, Zesty Sumac, and Creamy Tahini Dressing
Prepare your taste buds for an extraordinary culinary experience! This Mediterranean Chicken Salad isn’t just a meal; it’s a vibrant celebration of flavors and textures that will undoubtedly become a staple in your kitchen. We’re not exaggerating when we say it’s so good, you’ll want to enjoy it every single day. Forget everything you thought you knew about salads being “just a side dish” or not satisfying enough – this recipe is designed to be a complete, deeply fulfilling main course that will leave you feeling energized and utterly delighted.
For those who appreciate fresh, wholesome ingredients combined with bold, aromatic spices, this salad is a revelation. While we generally enjoy salads, it takes a truly exceptional one to fully satisfy us as a main course and, more importantly, to inspire genuine cravings. This Mediterranean Chicken Salad excels on all fronts, delivering an incredible depth of flavor and a delightful variety of textures in every bite. It’s truly a standout dish that ticks every box for a perfect healthy and hearty meal.
The secret to its outstanding appeal lies in a harmonious blend of exceptional components:
- Expertly Marinated Chicken Breasts: Tender chicken breasts are infused with a homemade, Middle Eastern-inspired spice mixture. This blend features a rich tapestry of ground cumin, coriander, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, paprika, allspice, cloves, and turmeric. This unique marinade elevates the chicken from simple protein to a star ingredient, imparting an unparalleled depth of flavor.
- Vibrant and Crunchy Vegetables: The salad base features thinly sliced red cabbage, renowned for its nutritional value, satisfying crunch, and beautiful color. This is perfectly complemented by fresh scallions and savory, umami-rich sun-dried tomatoes, adding layers of taste and texture.
- Authentic Mediterranean Seasonings: A generous use of za’atar spice and dried sumac, combined with plenty of fresh lemon juice and high-quality olive oil, creates a distinctively bright and tangy flavor profile that defines Mediterranean cuisine.
- Luxurious Lemon Tahini Dressing: A creamy, easy-to-make lemon tahini sauce serves as the ultimate crowning glory. This spectacular dressing ties all the elements together, adding a smooth, nutty, and tangy finish that makes the entire salad incredibly cohesive and decadent.
Many of our most beloved recipes emerge from spontaneous kitchen experiments, and this Mediterranean Chicken Salad is no exception. It was born from a moment of inspiration, drawing on pantry staples and the cherished flavors of our Middle Eastern Spatchcocked Roast Chicken. The goal was to create a quick, flavorful, and satisfying meal that could be enjoyed any day of the week, and this salad truly delivers.
The heart of this salad’s incredible taste comes from the chicken, which is generously marinated in a homemade Middle Eastern spice blend. This aromatic mix includes ground cumin for earthiness, coriander for a hint of citrus, cinnamon and nutmeg for warmth, cardamom for exotic floral notes, paprika for sweetness and color, allspice for its complex bouquet, sumac for tang, cloves for subtle richness, and turmeric for its vibrant hue and mild bitterness. These are staple ground spices frequently used in both sweet and savory dishes, and we highly recommend keeping them on hand in your pantry for instant flavor boosts.
To make preparation even easier, we suggest preparing a larger batch of this versatile spice mixture. Simply quadruple the dry spice amounts in the recipe and store the excess in a small, airtight container or a ziplock bag. Having this blend readily available ensures you’re always just moments away from infusing any dish with incredible Middle Eastern flavors. It’s an essential component that perfectly complements the other fresh ingredients in this unique and satisfying salad.
One of the best features of this recipe is its flexibility: you can marinate the chicken for as little as 20 minutes for a quick meal, or let it sit for up to 12 hours to deepen the flavors, depending on your schedule. This adaptability makes it perfect for both spontaneous weeknight dinners and planned meal prep.
The vibrant sumac dressing is a cornerstone of this salad, crafted from the freshest lemon juice, robust extra virgin olive oil, the fragrant za’atar spice blend, and of course, sumac itself. This simple yet powerful combination creates a tangy, herbaceous, and incredibly refreshing dressing that perfectly complements the rich chicken and crisp vegetables.
Sumac is a deep reddish-purple spice derived from the dried and ground berries of the sumac flower. It boasts a distinctly citrusy and tart flavor, often described as having a lemony tang with a hint of fruitiness. This unique profile makes it an indispensable ingredient in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cooking, where it’s frequently used to add brightness and depth to dishes. Over the years, we’ve developed a delightful habit of liberally sprinkling sumac on everything from salads and roasted vegetables to dips and even grilled meats. While sumac can sometimes be elusive in standard grocery stores, it’s well worth seeking out in local Middle Eastern markets or easily ordering it online for its unparalleled flavor contribution.
Za’atar is another essential Middle Eastern spice blend, typically composed of toasted sesame seeds, dried thyme, and sumac, sometimes with the addition of other herbs or spices. This versatile blend offers a complex flavor profile that is nutty, herbaceous, and tangy all at once. While you could attempt to make your own za’atar, finding a good quality pre-made blend is usually easier. Look for it in the international aisle of your grocery store or explore online retailers. Both sumac and za’atar are incredibly flavorful spices that have the power to transform even the simplest ingredients. It’s truly challenging to find a vegetable, piece of meat, or seafood that wouldn’t benefit from a generous dusting of these aromatic wonders.
This Mediterranean chicken salad is designed to be incredibly hearty and satiating all on its own, making it a perfect stand-alone meal. It can be whipped up surprisingly quickly, especially if you take advantage of strategic meal prep by making the spice mixture and the lemon tahini sauce ahead of time. Each component and flavor in this salad plays a crucial role, contributing to the overall balance and deliciousness, so we strongly advise against skimping on any part of the recipe. The synergy of the marinated chicken, crisp vegetables, and zesty dressing is what makes this dish truly special.
For an even more robust and complete dining experience, it’s worth noting that this Mediterranean chicken salad pairs exceptionally well with a side of grilled vegetables. Our personal favorites for this particular salad include smoky eggplant, tender zucchini, and sweet bell peppers. Their char and natural sweetness provide a wonderful contrast and depth that elevates the entire meal. Consider adding a scattering of crumbled feta cheese or a handful of Kalamata olives for an extra layer of Mediterranean authenticity and flavor.
Mediterranean Chicken Salad with Sumac Dressing
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Ingredients
Chicken Marinade:
- ¼ cup (60 mL) extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon ground sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ½ teaspoon ground sumac
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 large clove garlic grated with a microplane or pressed
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts roughly 1½ lbs
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
Mediterranean Salad:
- 2 large scallions finely sliced
- 4-5 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes finely diced
- 1 heaping teaspoon za’atar spice blend
- ½ teaspoon ground sumac
- ¼ small red cabbage cored and thinly sliced (about ¾ cup)
- 2 small heads of romaine cored, and sliced
- 4-5 ounces mixed greens
- 2 tablespoons (30 mL) fresh lemon juice plus more for serving
- 2 tablespoons (30 mL) extra virgin olive oil
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
Toppings:
- lemon tahini sauce
- za’atar spice for sprinkling
- ground sumac for sprinkling
- lemon wedges for serving
- grilled assorted vegetables optional
- crumbled feta cheese optional
Instructions
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Marinate the Chicken: Begin by combining the extra virgin olive oil, all the listed spices, grated garlic, and lemon juice in a large gallon-sized freezer Ziploc bag. Seal the bag, pressing out any excess air, and gently squish the contents with your hands to ensure all the spices are thoroughly and evenly incorporated. Add the chicken breasts to the bag using tongs, remove as much air as possible, and reseal. Make sure the chicken is fully coated with the marinade. Lay the bag flat on a large plate or a quarter-size baking sheet (which makes for easy storage in the refrigerator) and allow the chicken to marinate in the fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes, or for optimal flavor, up to 12 hours if preparing ahead of time.
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Grill the Chicken: Approximately 15 minutes before you plan to cook, remove the marinated chicken from the refrigerator to allow it to come closer to room temperature. Heat an outdoor grill or a large cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Carefully remove the chicken breasts from the marinade, discarding any remaining marinade in the bag. Place the chicken on a clean plate and season both sides generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Grill the chicken, preferably in batches to maintain high heat, for 4 to 5 minutes per side. The exact cooking time will vary, roughly 10 minutes per inch of thickness, or until an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is reached. Adjust heat and cooking time as needed based on your chicken’s size and thickness. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a clean plate or serving platter and let it rest for at least 5 to 10 minutes. This resting period is crucial for juicy, tender chicken while you prepare the salad.
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Prepare the Salad: In a generously sized salad bowl, combine the thinly sliced scallions, finely diced sun-dried tomatoes, za’atar spice, ground sumac, and the crunchy red cabbage. Add the crisp romaine lettuce, mixed greens, fresh lemon juice, and extra virgin olive oil. Season with a generous sprinkling of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss all the ingredients thoroughly to ensure everything is well combined and coated with the dressing. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired, adding more salt, lemon juice, or olive oil to suit your preference.
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For Serving: Once the grilled chicken breasts have rested sufficiently, slice them against the grain into ½-inch or ¾-inch thick pieces. Divide the vibrant salad evenly into four large serving bowls. Arrange the sliced grilled chicken on top of each salad. Finish each serving with a light sprinkle of additional za’atar spice and sumac for an extra burst of flavor and visual appeal. Serve immediately with optional assorted grilled vegetables, a scattering of crumbled feta cheese, fresh lemon wedges for an added squeeze of citrus, and a generous spoonful of the creamy lemon tahini sauce. Enjoy this wholesome and incredibly flavorful Mediterranean meal!
Tips for Success:
- Batch Prep the Spice Mixture: To truly streamline your cooking process and always have amazing flavor on hand, we highly recommend making a large batch of the chicken marinade spice mixture. Tripling or even quadrupling the dry spice amounts is a great strategy. This versatile blend tastes absolutely fabulous on almost everything, from roasted vegetables to other proteins. Store a small batch of it in an airtight container in your pantry for quick and easy access whenever you need to add a delicious kick to your meals.
- Versatile Serving Options: While this Mediterranean Chicken Salad is incredibly satisfying and stands beautifully on its own as a complete meal, its flavors are wonderfully enhanced by a few simple additions. Consider crumbling some tangy feta cheese over the top for a salty, creamy counterpoint, or serve it alongside simple grilled vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, and bell pepper. These additions elevate the dish and cater to varying preferences, making it an even more adaptable recipe for any occasion.
- Prep Ahead for Convenience: Don’t underestimate the power of prepping components in advance. The tahini sauce can be made days ahead and stored in the fridge. The vegetables can be chopped and stored separately. Marinating the chicken overnight will deepen its flavor significantly, saving you time during busy weeknights.