Za’atar Chicken Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing: A Flavorful Mediterranean Delight

This Za’atar Chicken Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing is a vibrant and flavorful Mediterranean-inspired dish that’s perfect for a light lunch, a satisfying dinner, or a delicious make-ahead meal. The combination of tender, za’atar-spiced chicken, crisp vegetables, and creamy lemon-tahini dressing creates a symphony of textures and tastes that will tantalize your taste buds. This recipe is easy to customize with your favorite vegetables and is sure to become a new staple in your kitchen. It’s also a great way to use leftover cooked chicken!

## Why You’ll Love This Za’atar Chicken Salad

* **Flavorful and Aromatic:** The za’atar spice blend infuses the chicken with a warm, earthy, and slightly tangy flavor, while the lemon-tahini dressing adds a bright and creamy element.
* **Healthy and Nutritious:** This salad is packed with protein, healthy fats, and vitamins from the chicken, vegetables, and tahini.
* **Versatile:** You can easily adapt this recipe to your liking by adding different vegetables, herbs, or nuts. It’s also great served in a variety of ways – in a wrap, on a bed of lettuce, or as a side dish.
* **Easy to Make:** This recipe requires minimal cooking and comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
* **Make-Ahead Friendly:** The chicken and dressing can be prepared in advance, making this salad a convenient option for meal prepping.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

### For the Za’atar Chicken:

* 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 2 tablespoons za’atar spice blend
* 1 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

### For the Lemon-Tahini Dressing:

* 1/4 cup tahini
* 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
* 2 tablespoons water
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

### For the Salad:

* 5 cups mixed greens or chopped romaine lettuce
* 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
* 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced
* 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
* 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
* 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved (optional)
* 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds (optional)

## Equipment Needed

* Large skillet or grill pan
* Mixing bowls
* Whisk or fork
* Cutting board
* Knife

## Step-by-Step Instructions

### Part 1: Prepare the Za’atar Chicken

1. **Prepare the Chicken:** Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps them brown better in the skillet. If the chicken breasts are very thick, you can pound them slightly to an even thickness (about 1/2 inch) to ensure even cooking. This step is optional but recommended.
2. **Season the Chicken:** In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, za’atar spice blend, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create a paste.
3. **Marinate the Chicken:** Rub the za’atar mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts, ensuring they are fully coated. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 1 hour, in the refrigerator. The longer it marinates, the more flavorful it will be. If you are short on time, you can skip the marinating step, but the flavor will be more pronounced with marinating.
4. **Cook the Chicken:** Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken breasts to the hot skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked. Avoid overcrowding the pan; if necessary, cook the chicken in batches to maintain proper heat and ensure even cooking. Overcrowding can lower the pan temperature, leading to steamed instead of seared chicken.
5. **Rest the Chicken:** Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the skillet and place it on a cutting board. Let it rest for at least 5-10 minutes before slicing or shredding. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful chicken.
6. **Slice or Shred the Chicken:** After resting, slice the chicken into thin strips or shred it with two forks. Set aside to cool slightly while you prepare the remaining ingredients.

### Part 2: Prepare the Lemon-Tahini Dressing

1. **Combine Ingredients:** In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, water, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Start with the smaller amount of water and add more as needed to achieve your desired consistency.
2. **Whisk Until Smooth:** Whisk vigorously until the dressing is smooth and creamy. If the dressing is too thick, add a little more water, one teaspoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. The consistency should be pourable but not too runny.
3. **Adjust Seasoning:** Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may want to add more lemon juice for a tangier flavor, more salt and pepper to enhance the overall taste, or a touch of honey or maple syrup for a hint of sweetness to balance the acidity.

### Part 3: Assemble the Salad

1. **Prepare the Salad Base:** In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens or chopped romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion. You can also add any other desired vegetables, such as bell peppers, carrots, or radishes.
2. **Add the Chicken:** Add the sliced or shredded za’atar chicken to the salad bowl.
3. **Add the Dressing:** Pour the lemon-tahini dressing over the salad. Start with about half of the dressing and add more as needed, tossing gently to coat all the ingredients evenly. Be careful not to overdress the salad, as this can make it soggy.
4. **Add the Toppings (Optional):** If desired, sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese, chopped fresh parsley, chopped fresh mint, Kalamata olives, and toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds over the salad.
5. **Toss and Serve:** Gently toss the salad to combine all the ingredients. Serve immediately or chill for later. If chilling, it’s best to add the dressing just before serving to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.

## Tips for the Best Za’atar Chicken Salad

* **Use High-Quality Za’atar:** The quality of the za’atar spice blend will greatly impact the flavor of the chicken. Look for a blend that is fresh and aromatic, with a good balance of herbs, sesame seeds, and sumac.
* **Don’t Overcook the Chicken:** Overcooked chicken will be dry and tough. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to 165°F (74°C) and remove it from the skillet as soon as it reaches that temperature.
* **Adjust the Dressing to Your Taste:** The lemon-tahini dressing can be customized to your liking. Adjust the amount of lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper to create a flavor that suits your preferences.
* **Add a Touch of Sweetness:** If you prefer a slightly sweeter dressing, add a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup to the lemon-tahini dressing.
* **Toast the Nuts:** Toasting the pine nuts or slivered almonds enhances their flavor and adds a nice crunch to the salad. To toast them, spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Watch them carefully, as they can burn easily.
* **Use Fresh Herbs:** Fresh parsley and mint add a bright and refreshing flavor to the salad. If you don’t have fresh herbs on hand, you can use dried herbs, but the flavor will not be as intense. Use about 1 teaspoon of dried herbs in place of 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs.
* **Make it Vegetarian or Vegan:** To make this salad vegetarian, replace the chicken with grilled halloumi cheese or chickpeas. To make it vegan, omit the feta cheese and ensure that the za’atar spice blend does not contain any animal-derived ingredients.
* **Prep Ahead:** You can save time by preparing the chicken and dressing ahead of time. The cooked chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, and the dressing can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Assemble the salad just before serving.

## Variations and Substitutions

* **Chicken:** Use grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken, or leftover cooked chicken instead of pan-seared chicken breasts.
* **Vegetables:** Add or substitute your favorite vegetables, such as bell peppers, carrots, radishes, avocado, or sun-dried tomatoes.
* **Cheese:** Substitute feta cheese with goat cheese, crumbled halloumi, or Parmesan cheese.
* **Nuts and Seeds:** Use walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds instead of pine nuts or slivered almonds.
* **Grains:** Add cooked quinoa, farro, or couscous to make the salad more substantial.
* **Legumes:** Add chickpeas, lentils, or white beans for extra protein and fiber.
* **Spices:** Experiment with different spice blends, such as sumac, cumin, or coriander.
* **Sweetener:** Use honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, or your favorite sweetener in the dressing.

## Serving Suggestions

* **As a Main Course:** Serve the Za’atar Chicken Salad as a light and refreshing lunch or dinner.
* **In a Wrap:** Wrap the salad in a pita bread or tortilla for a portable and convenient meal.
* **On a Bed of Lettuce:** Serve the salad on a bed of lettuce cups for a low-carb option.
* **As a Side Dish:** Serve the salad as a side dish with grilled fish, chicken, or vegetables.
* **With Hummus and Pita Bread:** Serve the salad with a side of hummus and warm pita bread for a complete Mediterranean-inspired meal.
* **In a Grain Bowl:** Combine the salad with cooked quinoa, farro, or couscous for a hearty and nutritious grain bowl.

## Storage Instructions

* **Store:** Store leftover Za’atar Chicken Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It’s best to store the dressing separately to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
* **Reheat:** The chicken can be reheated in the microwave or oven. However, the salad is best served cold.
* **Freeze:** Freezing is not recommended, as the vegetables and dressing will become mushy upon thawing.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate, per serving)

* Calories: 450-550
* Protein: 35-45g
* Fat: 25-35g
* Carbohydrates: 20-30g
* Fiber: 5-7g

(Note: Nutritional information may vary depending on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used.)

## Conclusion

This Za’atar Chicken Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing is a delicious, healthy, and versatile dish that’s perfect for any occasion. With its vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients, it’s sure to become a new favorite in your kitchen. Enjoy!