Description
A vibrant and nutritious Sesame Chicken and Chickpea Salad featuring grilled marinated chicken breast, crisp mixed greens, juicy cherry tomatoes, and chickpeas. Tossed with a zesty ginger and garlic dressing and finished with toasted sesame seeds for a delightful crunch. Perfect for a wholesome, protein-packed meal that’s fresh and flavorful.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Salad
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
Dressing and Garnish
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
- Preheat Grill: Preheat your grill or a grill pan over medium-high heat to ensure it is hot enough for perfect grilling.
- Prepare Marinade: In a small bowl, mix together the sesame oil, soy sauce, honey, salt, and pepper to create a flavorful marinade for the chicken.
- Marinate Chicken: Brush the chicken breasts evenly with the marinade and let them sit for at least 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Grill Chicken: Place the chicken on the preheated grill and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is fully cooked and juicy inside.
- Rest and Slice Chicken: Remove the chicken from the grill and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before slicing into strips to retain juices.
- Assemble Salad Base: In a large salad bowl, combine chickpeas, halved cherry tomatoes, mixed greens, thinly sliced cucumber, and red onion.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, rice vinegar, grated ginger, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt to create a zesty dressing.
- Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss well to coat all components evenly.
- Add Chicken and Garnish: Top the dressed salad with sliced grilled chicken strips and sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top for added crunch and flavor.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the fresh and vibrant flavors at their best.
Notes
- For best results, marinate the chicken for longer than 10 minutes if time permits, up to 1 hour.
- You can substitute chicken breast with chicken thighs for a juicier result.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce for a healthier option and to control salt content.
- To make the salad vegan, omit the chicken and increase chickpeas and vegetables.
- Leftover salad can be stored separately from dressing and chicken to maintain freshness.
