Holiday Black Pepper Chicken Salad (Print Version)

Festive chicken with black pepper and yogurt dressing on fresh mixed greens and crisp vegetables.

# Components:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 lbs)
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 (such as 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 - 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 mixture evenly over both sides of 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 rest 5 minutes. Slice into strips.
04 - In a large bowl, combine 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 herbs until smooth.
06 - Arrange salad on plates, top with warm sliced chicken, and drizzle generously with yogurt dressing. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Easy and quick to prepare, making it great for busy days and holidays alike.
  • The juicy black pepper chicken delivers a flavorful punch without overwhelming the fresh salad.
  • The tangy yogurt dressing adds creaminess while keeping the dish light and gluten-free.
  • Colorful ingredients like pomegranate seeds and bell pepper make it visually festive and nutritious.
02 -
  • Use a grill pan for those beautiful char marks and enhanced flavor.
  • Adjust the amount of black pepper in the chicken rub to your heat preference.
  • Whisk the dressing ingredients well to combine flavors and achieve a creamy texture.
  • Prepare the dressing ahead of time and refrigerate to meld flavors before serving.
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