Blackened Chicken Watermelon Salad

Name: Blackened Chicken Watermelon Salad
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 people
Ingredients: 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 2 teaspoons smoked paprika; 2 teaspoons dried oregano; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; kosher salt and pepper; 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper; 8 ounces baby arugula greens; 2 cups cubed watermelon; 2 mini cucumbers; ⅓ cup crumbled Feta cheese; ⅓ cup chopped roasted; ½ to 1 cup cubed watermelon; 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar; 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice; 1 teaspoon honey; kosher salt and pepper; 1 garlic clove; ½ cup extra virgin olive oil

User Reviews

5.0

48 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings
4 people
Course
Main Course, Salad
Cuisine
American

Blackened Chicken Watermelon Salad

Kian Mendoza

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We love this grilled chicken watermelon salad! Blackened grilled chicken, arugula, watermelon, cucumbers, feta and pistachios drizzled in a watermelon vinaigrette. Super delicious for summer!

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Ingredients

Servings

salad

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
kosher salt and pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
8 ounces baby arugula greens
2 cups cubed watermelon
2 mini cucumbers, thinly sliced
⅓ cup crumbled Feta cheese
⅓ cup chopped roasted, salted pistachios

watermelon vinaigrette

½ to 1 cup cubed watermelon
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
1 teaspoon honey
kosher salt and pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
½ cup extra virgin olive oil

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Instructions

Preheat the grill to the highest setting.
I like to pound the chicken breasts with a meat tenderizer so they are all even in thickness. This is required, but helps! In a bowl, whisk together the smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, a big pinch of salt and pepper and the crushed red pepper. Sprinkle it all over the chicken on both sides.
Once the grill is hot, place the chicken directly on the grates and grill for about 5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Remove the chicken and let it rest for 10 minutes while you assemble the salad.
Place the arugula in a bowl and toss with a pinch of salt and pepper. Top with the watermelon, cucumber, feta and pistachios. Slice or chop the grilled chicken and place it on the salad. Drizzle with the watermelon vinaigrette and serve!

watermelon vinaigrette

Place the watermelon in a blender and blend until pureed. Once pureed, pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove the pulp and collect the juice. Measure out ¼ cup of the watermelon juice. That is all you need for the dressing - you can drink the rest! The amount of cubes you need will differ depending on the water content of your melon.
I like to use a blender for the dressing but you can also use a whisk. Add the ¼ cup watermelon juice, vinegar, lime juice, honey, a big pinch of salt and pepper, garlic and olive oil to a blender. Blend until emulsified. This stays great in the fridge for a few days and just needs shaken or whisked before using.