Spiced Chicken Middle Eastern Salad (Printable View)

Fragrant spiced grilled chicken paired with crisp vegetables and creamy yogurt dressing in this easy Middle Eastern-inspired dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

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

→ Yogurt Dressing

17 - 7 ounces plain Greek yogurt
18 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
19 - Juice of 1/2 lemon
20 - 1 garlic clove, minced
21 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
22 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How To Make It:

01 - In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, salt, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
02 - Add chicken pieces to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor development.
03 - Preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook marinated chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until cooked through and lightly charred. Remove from heat 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 chopped parsley.
05 - Whisk together Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, ground cumin, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
06 - Divide salad mixture among serving plates, top with sliced chicken, and drizzle generously with yogurt dressing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It delivers all the bold, aromatic flavors of shawarma without the need for a vertical spit or takeout menu.
  • The yogurt dressing is tangy and cooling, acting as the perfect contrast to the warm spices on the chicken.
  • You can prep the components ahead and assemble just before serving, making it ideal for busy weeknights or meal prep.
  • It's naturally gluten free and feels satisfying without weighing you down.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting step after grilling, cutting into the chicken too soon will let all the juices run out and leave it dry.
  • If your chicken is thicker than about 2 cm, pound it gently to even thickness so it cooks uniformly and doesn't dry out on the edges.
  • Taste the dressing before serving and adjust the lemon or salt, yogurt brands vary in tanginess and you want balance.
03 -
  • Use a meat thermometer to check doneness, chicken thighs are forgiving but breasts can go from perfect to rubbery in a minute.
  • If you don't have a grill pan, a regular skillet works fine, just get it really hot and resist the urge to move the chicken around too much.
  • Double the spice marinade and keep half in a jar, it's fantastic on lamb, vegetables, or even roasted chickpeas.
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