Holiday Black Pepper Chicken Salad (Print)

A festive salad featuring peppered chicken, fresh vegetables, and a zesty yogurt dressing.

# Components:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1.1 lbs)
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 ½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1 teaspoon sea salt
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

→ Salad

07 - 4 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, baby spinach, romaine)
08 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
09 - 1 cup cucumber, sliced
10 - ½ red onion, thinly sliced
11 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
12 - ½ cup pomegranate seeds
13 - ¼ cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped

→ Yogurt Dressing

14 - 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
15 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
16 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
17 - 1 teaspoon honey
18 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
19 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
20 - ½ teaspoon salt
21 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill or parsley, chopped

# Directions:

01 - Preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry. Combine olive oil, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, and smoked paprika in a small bowl. Rub the mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken.
03 - Grill or sear chicken for 6 to 8 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove from heat, cover loosely, and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice into strips.
04 - In a large bowl, mix salad greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, bell pepper, pomegranate seeds, and walnuts.
05 - Whisk together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, black pepper, salt, and chopped herbs until smooth.
06 - Arrange salad on plates, top with sliced warm chicken, and drizzle with yogurt dressing. Serve immediately.

# Chef Secrets:

01 -
  • Easy to prepare in just 35 minutes from start to finish.
  • Combines juicy, black pepper-crusted chicken with fresh, colorful vegetables.
  • The tangy yogurt dressing adds a light creaminess without overpowering flavors.
  • Gluten-free and packed with protein, perfect for a wholesome meal.
02 -
  • Use a well-heated grill pan for the best sear and flavor development on the chicken.
  • Prepare the yogurt dressing ahead of time to let the flavors meld together.
  • Toast walnuts just before serving for maximum crunch and aroma.
  • Rest the chicken after cooking to keep it tender and juicy when sliced.
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