Moroccan Chicken Salad with Pistachio-Crusted Fried Goat Cheese
Try this Moroccan Chicken Salad with Pistachio-Crusted Fried Goat Cheese recipe.
Try this Moroccan Chicken Salad with Pistachio-Crusted Fried Goat Cheese recipe.
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- salt + pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- coconut oil for frying
- 1/3 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken cut into bite size cubes
- 1 inch piece fresh ginger peeled + roughly chopped
- 2 dried chile de arbol seeds removed (or 1/2 -1 teaspoon cayenne pepper)
- 2 small to medium lemons grated + juiced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 cup fresh berries (i recommend strawberries blueberries, grapes, dates or mangos) - optional
- 8 cups spring greens
- 4 fresh [garlic naans | http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/ho
- 1 chipotle chile pepper minced (or 1/2-1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder)
- 1 jalapeã±o, finely chopped
- 1 (8 ounce) goat cheese log rolled into 10-14 disks
- 1/3 cup finely crushed pistachios
- 1 teaspoon fresh mint chopped
- pinch of pepper
- Carbohydrate 15.4868596036738 g
- Cholesterol 125.90866475 mg
- Fat 17.5447410864007 g
- Fiber 2.95966310046474 g
- Protein 28.6021655208958 g
- Saturated Fat 3.06225838616397 g
- Serving Size 1 1 BIG SALADS OR 8 SIDE SALADS (194g)
- Sodium 500.88298487428 mg
- Sugar 12.5271965032091 g
- Trans Fat 1.46945799119614 g
- Calories 331 calories
Step-by-step
- 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 | http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/homemade-naan-step-step-photos/]
The ingredient list does not tell you that wet chicken will steam rather than sear on a grill pan. Thoroughly pat the cubed meat dry with paper towels after its marinade soak so the surface proteins can brown properly over medium-high heat.
Managing the Goat Cheese Crust
Goat cheese softens rapidly when exposed to ambient kitchen heat, turning into a messy paste if mishandled. Keep the shaped disks chilled in the refrigerator until the exact moment they meet the hot coconut oil. Maintain the frying oil temperature between 350 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit; if the oil is too cool, the panko and pistachio coating will absorb excess fat and disintegrate within 60 seconds.Balancing Acid and Fat
Citrus juices and vinegars contain high levels of acetic and citric acids that structurally denature heavy dairy fats, cutting through the richness of the fried cheese disks. Whisk the vinaigrette vigorously in a glass jar to emulsify the olive oil and apple cider vinegar before tossing the greens. Adding the dressing too early will wilt the spring greens within ten minutes, so drizzle individual servings right before eating instead.
