Grilled Chicken on Greens with Creamy Harissa Dressing
Photo: Annabelle Breakey
Yields Makes 4 dinner salads Total Time 4 hrs
We've breathed new life into sliced chicken on greens with harissa, a fiery Tunisian chile sauce (or paste) laced with coriander, garlic, cumin, and caraway. Prep and Cook Time: 1 hour, plus at least 3 hours of marinating time. Notes: Chicken breasts vary a lot in size, so note the weight of the package before buying. The heat level of harissa depends on the brand, so start with a little and add more from there. You can buy it and smoked paprika at specialty food stores like Whole Foods Market.

How to Make It

Step 1
1

Put chicken breast halves between pieces of plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet or the back of a small, heavy saucepan until 1/4 in. thick. Whisk lemon zest, olive oil, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. pepper, the smoked paprika, and cumin together in a small bowl. Put chicken breasts in a large, wide bowl and add marinade, rubbing all over chicken to coat. Cover and chill at least 3 hours and up to overnight. Allow chicken to come to room temperature before grilling. Meanwhile, rinse onion and dry it with paper towels.

Step 2
2

Prepare a gas or charcoal grill for medium heat (you can hold your hand 1 to 2 in. above cooking grate only 4 to 5 seconds). Lay chicken on well-oiled grate and cook, turning once, until cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate or cutting board, tent with foil, and let rest 5 minutes.

Step 3
3

Meanwhile, whisk yogurt, harissa, 1 tbsp. mint, remaining 1/4 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper, and the lemon juice together in a small bowl. Slice chicken on the diagonal across the grain into 1/4-in.-thick strips.

Step 4
4

In a large bowl, toss together greens, carrot, bell pepper, onion, and olives with 1/2 cup dressing until just coated.

Step 5
5

Divide salad among 4 plates and top with chicken. Drizzle remaining dressing over salads, dividing evenly, and garnish with remaining mint.

Step 6
6

Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.

Ingredients

 1 pound boned, skinned chicken breast halves (about 2 halves; see Notes)
 1 teaspoon finely shredded fresh lemon zest
  About 1 tbsp. olive oil
 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (pimentón; see Notes)
 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
 1/2 medium red onion, peeled, halved crosswise, and thinly sliced into half-moons
 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
  About 1 tsp. harissa sauce or paste (see Notes)
 1 tablespoon chopped mint, plus more for garnish
 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
 8 cups loosely packed mixed baby greens
 1 cup 2-in.-long carrot matchsticks (1 medium carrot)
 1/2 red bell pepper, very thinly sliced lengthwise into strips
 1/4 cup quartered, pitted kalamata olives

Directions

Step 1
1

Put chicken breast halves between pieces of plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet or the back of a small, heavy saucepan until 1/4 in. thick. Whisk lemon zest, olive oil, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. pepper, the smoked paprika, and cumin together in a small bowl. Put chicken breasts in a large, wide bowl and add marinade, rubbing all over chicken to coat. Cover and chill at least 3 hours and up to overnight. Allow chicken to come to room temperature before grilling. Meanwhile, rinse onion and dry it with paper towels.

Step 2
2

Prepare a gas or charcoal grill for medium heat (you can hold your hand 1 to 2 in. above cooking grate only 4 to 5 seconds). Lay chicken on well-oiled grate and cook, turning once, until cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate or cutting board, tent with foil, and let rest 5 minutes.

Step 3
3

Meanwhile, whisk yogurt, harissa, 1 tbsp. mint, remaining 1/4 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper, and the lemon juice together in a small bowl. Slice chicken on the diagonal across the grain into 1/4-in.-thick strips.

Step 4
4

In a large bowl, toss together greens, carrot, bell pepper, onion, and olives with 1/2 cup dressing until just coated.

Step 5
5

Divide salad among 4 plates and top with chicken. Drizzle remaining dressing over salads, dividing evenly, and garnish with remaining mint.

Step 6
6

Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.

Grilled Chicken on Greens with Creamy Harissa Dressing

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