Cranberry Walk

Favorite Chicken Salad with Tahini Dressing

Having a salad for me at least one time a day is a must. Even better when the salad is the entire meal. This one is a favorite of mine. Highly seasoned chicken is cooked just right and is nestled in a mix of lettuce, grape tomatoes, red cabbage, and a few other goodies. A delicious tahini dressing is drizzled all over making this salad just perfect!

Ingredients for Favorite Chicken Salad with Tahini Dressing:

Salad:

1 head iceberg lettuce, cut into large dice

1 English cucumber, quartered and diced

1 - 1 1/2 cups grape tomatoes, halved

1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced

1/2 cup cilantro

Chicken:

1 pound boneless chicken breast

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

3-4 tablespoons grapeseed oil

Tahini Dressing:

3 tablespoons tahini

4 teaspoons warm water

1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt

2 small cloves garlic, minced

4 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Don't be put off by all of the ingredients. The salad is much quicker to prepare than the list might seem.

Time-Saving Tips: The salad minus the chicken and dressing can be prepared a few hours in advance and kept refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before enjoying. The spice mixture for the chicken can also be made in advance. If you do this make a double batch and just kept in your spice cabinet. I use it on so many things.

Let's see what we need.

Let's make the salad.

I like to make dressings in jars. It makes mixing a breeze and it is ready to store. Add all of the dressing ingredients to the jar. Shake it up and it is ready. If you don't have a jar you can use a small bowl and whisk or fork. Set aside.

This is what all of the prepped salad ingredients look like...

To assemble the salad mix together the lettuce and cabbage in a large bowl. Add the cucumber, onions, tomatoes, and cilantro. Set aside.

Now onto to the chicken. Combine all of the dried seasonings in a small bowl. Place the chicken on a plate. Sprinkle all over with seasoning and 3 tablespoons of oil.

Heat pan to medium heat and add the chicken. If the pan seems too dry add a little bit of oil, like a teaspoon or 2. Cook 4 minutes and then flip the chicken. After a few minutes turn the chicken again. Continue doing this until the chicken registers 160 degrees on an instant-read thermometer.