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Grilled Chicken and Pita Salad

By Jessica Rudolph

Published on September 3, 2024

Time

45 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Grilled Chicken and Pita Salad

Ingredients

7 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided2 (8-inch) pitas, split open2 tablespoons ground sumac, divided2 1⁄4 teaspoons table salt, divided4 (6- to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses 3 romaine lettuce hearts (18 ounces), halved and sliced thin1 pound tomatoes, cored and cut into 3⁄4-inch pieces1 English cucumber, quartered lengthwise and sliced thin crosswise1⁄2 cup chopped fresh mint

Before You Begin

This salad is inspired by fattoush, a Levantine salad with crispy pita chips. Sliced scallions make nice additions, if you have them.

Instructions

  1. Brush 3 tablespoons oil over inner surface of pitas. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon sumac and ¼ teaspoon salt. Pat chicken dry with paper towels and sprinkle with 2 teaspoons sumac and 1 teaspoon salt.
  2. Grill chicken over hot fire until browned and meat registers 160 degrees, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to plate and tent with foil. Grill pitas until crisp and lightly charred, about 2 minutes per side.
  3. Whisk lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, and remaining ¼ cup oil and 1 teaspoon salt together in large bowl. Add lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, mint, and remaining 1 tablespoon sumac. Break or cut pitas into bite-size pieces and add to bowl. Toss salad to combine, then season with salt to taste. Slice chicken ½ inch thick and serve over salad.
Grilled Chicken and Pita Salad
Photography by Steve Klise. Styling by Kendra Smith.

Grilled Chicken and Pita Salad

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Time

45 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

7 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 (8-inch) pitas, split open
2 tablespoons ground sumac, divided
2 1⁄4 teaspoons table salt, divided
4 (6- to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
3 romaine lettuce hearts (18 ounces), halved and sliced thin
1 pound tomatoes, cored and cut into 3⁄4-inch pieces
1 English cucumber, quartered lengthwise and sliced thin crosswise
1⁄2 cup chopped fresh mint

Ingredients

7 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 (8-inch) pitas, split open
2 tablespoons ground sumac, divided
2 1⁄4 teaspoons table salt, divided
4 (6- to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
3 romaine lettuce hearts (18 ounces), halved and sliced thin
1 pound tomatoes, cored and cut into 3⁄4-inch pieces
1 English cucumber, quartered lengthwise and sliced thin crosswise
1⁄2 cup chopped fresh mint

Ingredients

7 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 (8-inch) pitas, split open
2 tablespoons ground sumac, divided
2 1⁄4 teaspoons table salt, divided
4 (6- to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
3 romaine lettuce hearts (18 ounces), halved and sliced thin
1 pound tomatoes, cored and cut into 3⁄4-inch pieces
1 English cucumber, quartered lengthwise and sliced thin crosswise
1⁄2 cup chopped fresh mint

Why This Recipe Works

Ground sumac and pomegranate molasses both added bright, tangy sweetness to this meal-worthy salad.

Before You Begin

This salad is inspired by fattoush, a Levantine salad with crispy pita chips. Sliced scallions make nice additions, if you have them.

Instructions

  1. Brush 3 tablespoons oil over inner surface of pitas. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon sumac and ¼ teaspoon salt. Pat chicken dry with paper towels and sprinkle with 2 teaspoons sumac and 1 teaspoon salt.
  2. Grill chicken over hot fire until browned and meat registers 160 degrees, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to plate and tent with foil. Grill pitas until crisp and lightly charred, about 2 minutes per side.
  3. Whisk lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, and remaining ¼ cup oil and 1 teaspoon salt together in large bowl. Add lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, mint, and remaining 1 tablespoon sumac. Break or cut pitas into bite-size pieces and add to bowl. Toss salad to combine, then season with salt to taste. Slice chicken ½ inch thick and serve over salad.

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