Holiday Black Pepper Chicken Salad (Print Version)

Tender black pepper chicken paired with crisp vegetables and tangy yogurt dressing in a fresh salad.

# Components:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approx. 1 lb)
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1 tsp sea salt
05 - 1 tsp garlic powder
06 - ½ tsp 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 tbsp lemon juice
16 - 1 tbsp olive oil
17 - 1 tsp honey
18 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
19 - ½ tsp black pepper
20 - ½ tsp salt
21 - 2 tbsp fresh dill or parsley, chopped

# Directions:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Quick to prepare with only 35 minutes total time.
  • Combines smoky, peppery chicken with a creamy, tangy yogurt dressing.
  • Includes fresh, colorful vegetables and festive pomegranate seeds for visual appeal and flavor.
  • Gluten-free and packed with protein for a balanced meal.
02 -
  • Use a grill pan to get perfect sear marks and smoky flavor on the chicken.
  • Resting the chicken after grilling allows juices to redistribute for a moister texture.
  • Whisk the dressing thoroughly to achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
  • Customize the fresh herbs in the dressing depending on availability—dill and parsley both work wonderfully.
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