Moroccan Chicken Salad with Pistachio Crusted Fried Goat Cheese + Garlic Naan.
Hi, hi, hi!
I am kind of wishing that today was a holiday like it was last Monday. Having that extra day of the weekend is the nicest thing ever and then what is even better, when Tuesday rolls around it feels like Monday, and then the whole week just seem to fly by.
I mean, you all understand what I am talking about right?
At least now the weather is finally getting nice and school is out for my siblings. Well really just Asher and I guess Kai – he just graduated. Sadly, Red is still trying to catch up (he will be the rest of the summer) from all the traveling and the extremely small amount of schoolwork he accomplished over the winter. Anyway, weekends are just that much better now, more relaxed, less rushed and it is SO nice having it stay light until so late.
Let’s see, other things that are happening over here? Well my grandma, my oldest brother, my second oldest brother and his girlfriend (maybe girlfriend? Not sure? ) are all rolling into town on Wednesday. I know I already said this last week, but OMG we have no room in this house for eleven people. I am starting to freak a little, but mostly because that is way too many people invading my kitchen space. Getting work done is going to be the hardest thing ever. Stressing.
Also, my mom has spent the whole weekend trying to de-bachelorize the house because one, this is the first time my Mimi has ever been to our house… and to Colorado for that matter, and two, this is the first time my Mimi has ever stayed over at our house (we used to live in the same town). Mimi is my dad’s mom, so my mom is going a little above and beyond her normal routine for guests (my parents have been married for 30 years this Christmas – come on what does she think my Mimi is going to do!). Meaning she is rearranging furniture, buying furniture (like whole new beds and tables and things) and cleaning her little heart out. This behavior was normal back when we lived in Ohio and mom would host all the family parties, but since moving to Colorado and not having any family around, this is just a little odd.
I have to say though, I don’t mind the cleaning and new furniture. One, I love a clean house that doesn’t reek of boys, and two, the new furniture is actually pretty cute. Too bad the moment my Mimi leaves it will be back to just “living with a bunch of boys” again.
Ok, that makes it sound worse than it really is. Really only the downstairs is bachelor pad-ish, because that is where the boys rooms are. I just try to avoid going downstairs at all cost. The rest of the house is typically pretty clean….unless you walk into the kitchen around the six-ish hour and I haven’t started cleaning up the days mess yet. Then you might just wish you never walked in because I will probably put you to work doing dishes.
Let’s talk salad though. Monday salad!! Yes, this is a good thing. Umm, hello?!? Pistachio crusted fried goat cheese!! It’s amazing.
Plus, it makes you want to eat salad like every. single. day.
So once again, this salad has fruit in it. FYI – I am still obsessing over the summer fruits. I cannot get enough. I am actually starting to fear that your guys are going to get sick of all the mangos, pineapple, strawberries (and every other berry for that matter). I am just so excited. I can’t help it. Basically I am like a kid in a candy store.
This salad seems like it might be a lot of work because of the ingredients, but I promise you it’s really not that bad. Basically the chicken gets marinated in spices, lemon juice and olive oil. You make a simple vinaigrette, grill some chicken, fry some goat cheese and throw it all together. Nothing a summer night can’t handle. Especially if you start marinating the chicken in the morning before work. Then you will be all ready to go come dinner time. <–hint, this is the way to go.
Also, this salad is so fresh and summery. And another little tip? Rub your naan with some olive oil, fresh herb and garlic. Then throw it on a the grill for a minute. SO GOOD.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Moroccan Chicken Salad with Pistachio Crusted Fried Goat Cheese + Garlic Naan.
By halfbakedharvest
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keyword: morocan chicken
A delicious and refreshing summer salad
Ingredients
Moroccan Chicken
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken cut into bite size cubes
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- juice + zest of 1 lemon
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 inch piece fresh ginger peeled + roughly chopped
- 2 teaspoon dried chile de arbol seeds removed (or 1/2 -1 cayenne pepper)
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 tablespoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup oil packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives
- 1 cup fresh berries (I recommend strawberries blueberries, grapes, dates or mangos) - optional
- 8 cups spring greens
- 4 fresh [garlic naans | https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/homemade-naan-step-step-photos/]
Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 lemon juiced
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 1 teaspoon chipotle chile pepper minced (or 1/2-1 chipotle chile powder)
- 1 jalapeño finely chopped
- salt + pepper to taste
Pistachio Crusted Fried Goat Cheese
- 1 (8 ounce) goat cheese log rolled into 10-14 disks
- 1/3 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1/3 cup finely crushed pistachios
- 1 teaspoon fresh mint chopped
- pinch of pepper
- pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 egg beaten
- coconut oil for frying
Instructions
-
Place the chicken in a gallon size ziplock bag or medium size bowl.
-
To the bowl of a food processor add the olive oil, lemon zest + juice, garlic, ginger, dried chile de arbol (or cayenne), cilantro, parsley, smoked paprika, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 | https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/homemade-naan-step-step-photos/]
Oh, and if you make the naan, I would suggest making extra. It’s great for breakfast, lunch or dinner and somehow… it just doesn’t last very long!
Ok, this may be my fav recipe of yours! Moroccan anything is the BEST (love my tagine!) And I am currently obsessed with goat cheese….and it can only be better fried since…what isn’t better fried!? Pinned!
YA!! Thanks Taylor!
I can never get the consistency of my naan to turn out correctly. it’s always very dense?
Hmm, that is weird. What recipe are you using?
I’m loving fruit in salads right now too. I can’t get enough! And fried goat cheese? So good. I mean really, what’s not good that is fried? Enjoy the time with the company!
Thanks so much, Bri!
I love the dish that the salad is in so cute with the red along the edge. Those lemons look awesome, did you marinate and grill them? Have fun visiting with your Mimi.she’s in store for some good eats!!!
THANKS!! 🙂
This recipe rocks, T! I am obsessed with pistachios right now, so I definitely need to get on this!!! P.S. I loved reading your last post, too. That little chick in the sprinkles! Gah!
Thanks Ashley!! 🙂
Hope you are getting back into things after Italy!
Love the flavours in this, especially that goat cheese!
Thank you!
I am queen of salads right now because my Dr. told me to go 100% gluten free. I usually put tons of goat cheese in mine so this is perfect.
The salad queen!! YUM! 🙂
Thanks Liz!
Holy moly, this is like the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen! Pistachio crusted goat cheese sounds AMAZING, and like you, I will *never* tire of summer fruits. Wow – I can’t get over how delicious all of this looks!
THANK YOU! 🙂
Absolutely LOVED your Moroccan chicken skewers marinade, so I KNOW this is equally amazing AND it has goat cheese and pistachios, MY FAVES!!!
So happy you loved those skewers! Thanks Sophia!
Having just been in Morocco, loving goat cheese and fresh fruit in salads I have to make this. Thanks for the recipe, it looks great.
Thanks so much! Hope you love this!
Tieghan your flavor combination here sounds incredible, TRULY! Pistachios are not used enough in the USA I think….might by my fav nut! The goat cheese, and garlic naan, I can totally picture myself eating this on my deck, with a nice glass of wine on a beautiful Summer evening! Thanks for sharing, pinned for lataaa 😉 HAPPY MONDAY ( hear ya, wish it was memorial weekend again hehe)
OHM! I love your picture you just described. Sounds incredible!!
Thanks so much!
How gorgeous is this salad?! Absolutely need!
Thanks Laura!
I love all the wonderful colors in this salad and pistachio crusted goat cheese?!! I need to try this!
Thanks so much, Ami!!
This is gorgeous! Love those grilled lemons and all if the ingredients in this salad. Pinned and putting it on next weeks menu 😉
Thanks Gwen! Hope you love this!
I’ve just been eyeballing that crusted goat cheese and garlic naan. Can’t resist a finely crusted anything!
Thanks Farah! I am with you!
This salad looks so spectacular and delicious! And those pistachio-rusted goat cheese slices? GENIUS.
Thanks so much, Eileen!
There are so many awesome things in this salad, but the goat cheese is what drew me in.
Thank you!
This salad looks delicious! Love the combination of flavors!
Thanks Mary!
This is one seriously delicious looking salad. Wonderful!!
Thanks Brenda!
Pistachio crusted fried goat cheese. OMG. ‘Nuff said.
Thanks Nicole!
Moroccan anything is way high on my list of things to make but you know what? I’ve never really attempted it but you’re tempting me with this dish because umm..pistachio crusted fried goat cheese?! HOLY WOW!! I want!!
No way?! You have to make some Moroccan at home. You will love it!
Thanks Julie!
This looks simply amazing! Pistachio crusted goat cheese, I’m not sure it gets any better than that!
Thanks so much, Danielle!
Totally stun-a-rific!!
Thanks Megan! 🙂
This was terrific. I almost didn’t make it because I’ve used kalamatas in a lot of things lately, but I decided to anyway and I’m glad I did. Also I’ve made your naans a couple of times now and I’m pretty sure they are my favorite thing.
Very very tasty! 😀
Hi! I’m making this right now!
I suppose the cinnamon goes in the chicken marinate? It’s not mentioned in the steps.
I’ll put it there, it seems appropriate. Haha
Cheers
So sorry! Yes, the cinnamon goes in with the chicken. Fixing the recipe now. Hope you loved this, thanks!!
what is the estimated calories, excluding the nann
I’m sorry I don’t do calorie counts.
OK, thanks for the reply !
You have the best recipes, i’m hooked !
Thank you!
estimated calories, excluding the nann bread
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Hello! I’m making this right now! A bit confused about two things though. 1. Zest and juice of two lemons (under ingredients, not under vinaigrette) don’t appear in directions. 2. 1oz of goat cheese is a quarter of the smallest log… it doesn’t look like a proper serving for 4 and doesn’t seem proportional to the breadcrumb pistachio mix.
Ok one more question what kind of sun-dried tomatoes would go best here?
Anyway, I’m a big fan of your recipes! Lots of fun ingredients, complex tastes, and anything but plain or boring!
Once I’m done I’ll post nutritional information for this meal since I saw people asking 🙂
Hi! I am SO SORRY for the trouble. I recently transfer my recipes to a new system and some of the recipes got transfer incorrectly. The recipe is all fixed now. Also, I used oil packed sun-dried tomatoes from DeLallo brand. Please let me know if you have questions. Hope you loved the salad! 🙂
for 4: 1 serving = ~880 calories + naan (store-bought is about 190 for half a bread).
(to be more precise, measure the leftover marinade oil divided by 4, and then subtract it. 1tbsp = 120 cals)
for 8: 1 serving = ~440 calories + naan (store-bought is about 190 for half a bread).
if you want to make it lower calorie, cut the olive oil. I used 3tbsp for marinade instead of half a cup. That brought it to 730 cals [fat: 49.6, carbs: 29.7, protein: 42.3]. I also used about half of the dressing and it was fine so it put it at 668cals [fat:42.6, carbs: 29.2; protein: 42.3].