Greek Salad with Za'atar Chicken | Easy & Protein Packed Summer Salad
+ The Delicious and Better Answer to Everything But the Bagel Seasoning
Simple and light is my go-to for summer dinners. By the end of a hot day, the last thing I can think about is something heavy but it still needs to be filling. Plus with it staying lighter later, it’s usually 6:45 before I realize we need to eat! This Greek Salad with Za’atar Chicken comes together very quickly and can easily be modified for everyone in your family.
The Middle Eastern Cousin of “EBTB”
Everything But the Bagel Seasoning (EBTB to true fans) is everywhere and on everything now. Deviled Eggs and Avocado Toast have given way to EBTB crackers, nuts and chips. I mean to each his own, but Za’atar is its Middle Eastern cousin and I think should it have it’s day as I’m not a big EBTB fan.
Like EBTB, Za’atar is made up mostly sesame seeds and in the best versions, flaky salt. This is where they diverge. EBTB has dried onion and garlic bits while Za’atar has thyme and depending on who’s giving you the recipe, other herbs, pepper and maybe (or maybe not) sumac.
Sumac has a tart, citrusy flavor and if you can find it use it in my DIY version on the recipe PDF below. If you prefer to buy Za’atar, you can find it in well stocked grocery stores or you can buy it from Amazon or Thrive Market. (Get $60 free groceries at Thrive Market using this link.)
To me the defining flavors that win out over EBTB are the thyme and sesame seeds. Together these flavors give anything you sprinkle it on an earthy flavor that is indescribable but delicious.
About that Greek Salad
Like Za’atar, Greek Salad ingredients can differ depending on who you’re talking to. Some say include lettuce, some don’t. Onions, no onions…and so on. It really depends on what I’m going for as to what I do.
If I am flush with the ripest tomatoes and cucumbers in deep summer from my local farmers, I leave out the lettuce and highlight those flavors and textures with loads of the best olive oil I can find. If it’s other times of the year and I’m dealing supermarket produce, I include it to fill out the salad a little more.
I also don’t typically include red onions. I just don’t like raw onions other than a sprinkling of white onion on a street taco or scallions (aka green onions.)
Pro Tip
If you want to use raw red onions but don’t like the bite, salt freshly cut onions and soak in warm water for up to 30 minutes. Drain well then use.
How to Use Za’atar
Use this anywhere you see EBTB being used.
I truly love it as a coating for chicken or fish. If you’re vegan, use organic tofu.
Add to cooked ground chicken, turkey, beef or any of the ground vegan meats from Abbot’s Butcher rather than Beyond or other brands. Chat with me to find out why.
Mix with olive tapenade and serve with Chevre (soft goat cheese) on bruschetta or with crackers
The aforementioned deviled eggs and avocado toast could get an earthy upgrade
Make a salad dressing using 2 tbsp lemon juice, 6 tbsp EVOO, 2 tbsp Za’atar and a little more salt and pepper if you need it. (Depending on what kind of Za’atar you’re using.)
Pickled Things
This is essentially a Middle Eastern recipe and pickles are prevalent in Turkish and Middle Eastern cuisine especially in street food. So pickled things should be included and in this recipe, they are in the form of pickled onions. You’re really getting a 3-for-1 with this week’s recipe: A full dinner recipe, a new spice blend and a recipe for pickled things you can use all summer.
Now…I’m not talking pickled things where you have to use big pots, jar grabbers and spend all day or naturally fermented pickles like this sauerkraut.
I’m talking Quick Pickles - 5 minutes, slice/chop and soak in a quickly heated vinegar solution. These can be used right away or in the fridge for at least a month. Although, I have to make them almost monthly any way because I put them on everything.
My favorite pickled things:
Red Onions - ALWAYS! They are beautiful and add a bite.
Jalapenos - second only to red onions
Carrots and Jicama with sliced Garlic and Chiles - This is in essence Vegetables Escabeche and if cut small enough can be a cool and crunchy alternative to chips and salsa.
Baby Turnips (with a red beet) - These are classic to Turkish and Middle Eastern cuisines. The beet gives the turnips a fuschia color and a little sweetness.
Green tomatoes - the best way to use green tomatoes without frying
The recipe on the PDF applies to all of these and is very flexible. The main things to remember are:
Pack the jar tightly (and if using bay leaves tuck them in before packing) with all the solid ingredients.
Layer in any additional flavoring agents like fresh herbs or garlic slices.
Make more pickling liquid than you think you need. For a quart jar, you will need at least 1 cup of vinegar. If you do run out, just make some more. It won’t have any negative impact if the jar is only partially full and has to wait a few minutes for extra liquid to be boiled since you’re not actually going through the pressurized canning process.
How to Make Za’atar Chicken
We’ve covered everything else. Here’s the process for making the Za’atar Chicken:
Spray chicken breasts or tenders with avocado oil spray
Coat chicken well with Za’atar seasoning
Cook in Air Fryer for 8 minutes for tenders or 10-12 minutes for breasts until they register 160 on a digital thermometer. Oven directions in PDF, but very close to the same process. If you don’t have a thermometer, it’s ok for today…cut the chicken open and make sure it’s cooked through, but buy one TODAY…it makes safely cooking meat, especially poultry very easy.
Cut up veggies while chicken is cooking
Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing
NOTES:
Make Ahead - The chicken can be made up to 5 days ahead. The dressing is good for a week.
Meal Prep for Lunch - Layer in this order in a jar or bowl: dressing, chicken, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta and lettuce. Dump jar onto a plate or simply toss in the bowl.
For Dairy Free - Trader Joe’s and VioLife both have feta that’s dairy free and passable as the real thing.
Low Carb/Paleo/Whole30/Keto - No changes
Kid Friendly - Try serving everything separately. You may find they really like the coating or if they don’t like new things it may seem weird.
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Air Fryer - My favorite air fryer because of it’s small footprint but big basket.
Digital Thermometer - Registers almost immediately and very accurate
Za’atar Seasoning - Don’t feel like DIYing, this is as close as you will get.
Funny I have za’atar spice in my cupboard but really didn’t know how to use it for everyday. This is a great recipe to try to use it. Also love how you do a voiceover of the post. Great idea.