Description
Elegant lemon chicken salad showcases Ina Garten’s classic Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Fresh herbs and zesty citrus create a light, refreshing dish perfect for summer gatherings you’ll savor with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 280g (10 oz, 2 ½ cups) cooked and diced chicken breast (rotisserie works well)
- 60ml (¼ cup, 2 fl oz) plus 30ml (2 tbsps, 1 fl oz) full-fat Greek yoghurt
- 1 heaped tbsp chopped fresh dill
- 2 tbsps finely minced red onion
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 heaped tsp grated lemon zest
- ¼ heaped tsp salt
- Pinch or two of black pepper
- Pita bread, crackers, or fresh greens for serving
Instructions
- Preparation: Gather all ingredients including chicken, red onion, lemon, dill, Greek yogurt, kosher salt, black pepper, and extra virgin olive oil.
- Chicken Cutting: Transform cooked chicken into precise, uniform cubes that promise consistent texture and mouthfeel in every bite.
- Aromatic Foundations: Finely dice red onion and extract vibrant lemon zest, creating a base layer of sharp and citrusy undertones that will elevate the salad’s complexity.
- Herbal Infusion: Delicately chop fresh dill, releasing its fragrant essence and preparing to integrate its bright, green notes throughout the mixture.
- Dressing Fusion: In a spacious mixing vessel, combine chicken, red onion, lemon zest, Greek yogurt, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and extra virgin olive oil, whisking with a silicone spatula to create a harmonious, creamy coating.
- Flavor Harmonization: Gently fold chopped dill into the mixture, ensuring an even distribution of herbaceous notes and allowing each ingredient to contribute its distinctive character.
- Seasoning Refinement: Conduct a taste assessment, making nuanced adjustments to salt and pepper to achieve a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
- Flavor Development: Seal the salad and refrigerate for 30 minutes, permitting the ingredients to meld and intensify their collective taste experience.
- Serving Presentation: Present chilled, accompanied by warm pita bread, crisp crackers, or nestled atop a vibrant bed of mixed greens.
Notes
- Prep Ahead Magic: Marinate the chicken salad for at least 30 minutes to intensify the lemon and dill flavors, creating a more depth and complexity.
- Zest with Care: When grating lemon zest, only scrape the bright yellow outer layer to avoid the bitter white pith, which can make the salad taste harsh.
- Texture is Key: Dice chicken into uniform, bite-sized cubes to ensure every spoonful has a consistent and pleasant mouthfeel.
- Herb Handling: Chop fresh dill just before adding to maintain its vibrant aroma and prevent wilting, which can diminish its bright, fresh flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 100mg