Moroccan Chicken Salad with Pistachio Crusted Fried Goat Cheese + Garlic Naan.
INGREDIENTS
Moroccan Chicken
1 pound boneless skinless chicken, cut into bite size cubes
1 clove garlic
1 inch piece fresh ginger, peeled + roughly chopped
2 dried chile de arbol, seeds removed (or 1/2 -1 teaspoon cayenne pepper)
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh parsley
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1/2 tablespoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
2 small to medium lemons, grated + juiced
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
1/2 cup kalamata olives
1 cup fresh berries (I recommend strawberries, blueberries, grapes, dates or mangos) - optional
8 cups spring greens
4 fresh garlic naans
Vinaigrette
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 lemon, juiced
1 teaspoon honey
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 chipotle chile pepper, minced (or 1/2-1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder)
1 jalapeño, finely chopped
salt + pepper, to taste
Pistachio Crusted Fried Goat Cheese
1 (8 ounce) goat cheese log, rolled into 10-14 disks
1/3 cup Panko bread crumbs
1/3 cup finely crushed pistachios
1 teaspoon fresh mint, chopped
pinch of pepper
pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
1 egg, beaten
coconut oil, for frying
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place the chicken in a gallon size ziplock bag or medium size bowl.
- To the bowl of a food processor add the garlic, ginger, dried chile de arbol (or cayenne), cilantro, parsley, smoked paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. Process 1-2 minutes or until everything is finely chopped. Stream in 1/2 cup olive oil. Pour the marinade over the chicken in the ziplock bag and toss well. Place in the fridge for at least 2 hour or overnight.
- Meanwhile make the vinaigrette. In a glass jar with a screw on lid or a bowl combine the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, honey, cilantro, chipotle chile pepper, jalapeño, salt and pepper. Shake or whisk to combine. Taste and adjust to your liking, set aside until ready to use.
- Next combine the bread crumbs, pistachio crumbs, mint, a pinch of pepper and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes in a bowl. Whisk to combine. Add the egg to another bowl and whisk.
- Dip the goat cheese rounds through the egg and then dredge them through the pistachio mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Place on a plate and continue with the rest of the rounds. Place the plate in the fridge while you grill the chicken.
- Preheat the grill or a grill pan to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates. Place the chicken on the grill until the chicken is golden and no longer pink in the center, about 5-10 minutes each side (depends on the thickness of your chicken). You may also cook the chicken in a skillet if needed. Remove the chicken from the grill and let cool slightly while you fry the goat cheese.
- Heat a high sided skillet over medium heat and add about 1 inch of coconut oil. Once hot add the goat cheese rounds and fry for 1-2 minutes per side or until just beginning to turn golden brown. Repeat with all the rounds.
- To assemble the salads lightly shred the chicken with two forks or your hands. Add the chicken, lettuce, sun-dried tomatoes, olives and fruit to a large bowl and give it a toss. Divide the salad among plates and top each plate with the warm goat cheese rounds. Drizzle with the vinaigrette and sprinkle with pistachios if desired. Serve with warm grilled naan
TIEGHAN SAYS:
*Moroccan Chicken adapted from my chicken skewers .
*I like to grill a few lemon slices alongside the chicken for added flavor.
*I also like to warm my naan over the grill so it gets that nice grilled flavor.
