Fiery Mediterranean Chicken Cucumber Salad (Printable)
Spicy grilled chicken seasoned with Mediterranean spices served over a crisp cucumber salad with tomatoes, olives, and fresh herbs.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken & Marinade
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 ½ tsp smoked paprika
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1 tsp dried oregano
08 - 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
09 - 1 tsp salt
10 - ½ tsp black pepper
→ Cucumber Salad
11 - 1 large cucumber, diced
12 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
13 - ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
14 - ¼ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
15 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
16 - 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
17 - 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
18 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Garnish
19 - Lemon wedges
20 - Additional fresh parsley
# Directions:
01 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, smoked paprika, ground cumin, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
02 - Add chicken breasts to the marinade, turning to coat evenly. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
03 - Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat until hot. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
04 - Place marinated chicken on the preheated grill. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes.
05 - While chicken rests, combine diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, Kalamata olives, and chopped fresh parsley in a large mixing bowl.
06 - Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar over the vegetables. Toss gently to combine without crushing the tomatoes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
07 - Slice the rested chicken against the grain into strips. Arrange over or alongside the cucumber salad. Garnish with fresh lemon wedges and additional parsley if desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The marinade comes together in seconds but makes the chicken taste like it is been cooking all day
- That spicy cool combo hits every single craving without leaving you feeling heavy
02 -
- Do not skip the resting time after grilling or you will lose all those flavorful juices
- The salad needs to be dressed right before serving or the cucumbers will get soggy
03 -
- Pound the chicken to even thickness so it cooks at the same rate
- Let your grill pan get properly hot before adding the chicken for those restaurant quality grill marks