America's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated LogoAmerica's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated Logo

Cumin Chicken and Winter Squash Salad

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on October 1, 2017

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Cumin Chicken and Winter Squash Salad

Ingredients

6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 pound butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch pieces (3 cups)2 teaspoons ground cumin Salt and pepper 4 (6- to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed3 tablespoons lemon juice 1 ½ tablespoons tahini 6 ounces (6 cups) baby kale 6 ounces seedless red grapes, halved (1 cup)3 ounces goat cheese, crumbled (¾ cup)

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add squash, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, covered, until tender, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to plate.
  2. Pat chicken dry with paper towels, sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin, and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in now-empty skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add chicken and cook until well browned and meat registers 160 degrees, about 6 minutes per side.
  3. Meanwhile, whisk lemon juice, tahini, remaining 1/4 cup oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper together in large bowl. Add kale, grapes, goat cheese, and squash and toss to combine. Slice chicken and serve over salad.
Cumin Chicken and Winter Squash Salad

Cumin Chicken and Winter Squash Salad

Headshot of America's Test Kitchen
By America's Test Kitchen
Save

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch pieces (3 cups)
2 teaspoons ground cumin
Salt and pepper
4 (6- to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 ½ tablespoons tahini
6 ounces (6 cups) baby kale
6 ounces seedless red grapes, halved (1 cup)
3 ounces goat cheese, crumbled (¾ cup)

Ingredients

6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch pieces (3 cups)
2 teaspoons ground cumin
Salt and pepper
4 (6- to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 ½ tablespoons tahini
6 ounces (6 cups) baby kale
6 ounces seedless red grapes, halved (1 cup)
3 ounces goat cheese, crumbled (¾ cup)

Ingredients

6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch pieces (3 cups)
2 teaspoons ground cumin
Salt and pepper
4 (6- to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 ½ tablespoons tahini
6 ounces (6 cups) baby kale
6 ounces seedless red grapes, halved (1 cup)
3 ounces goat cheese, crumbled (¾ cup)

Why This Recipe Works

Covering the squash on the stovetop traps steam inside the skillet and shortens the overall cooking time.

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add squash, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, covered, until tender, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to plate.
  2. Pat chicken dry with paper towels, sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin, and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in now-empty skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add chicken and cook until well browned and meat registers 160 degrees, about 6 minutes per side.
  3. Meanwhile, whisk lemon juice, tahini, remaining 1/4 cup oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper together in large bowl. Add kale, grapes, goat cheese, and squash and toss to combine. Slice chicken and serve over salad.

Gift This Recipe

Enjoyed this dish? Let others know by sharing it as a gift recipe.

This is a members' feature.