This recipe for a chicken and halloumi salad is colorful and packed with flavor. Tender grilled chicken strips mingle with golden pan-seared halloumi cheese atop a bed of crisp lettuce leaves, avocado and juicy tomatoes. Drizzled with a zesty lime dressing, each bite bursts with freshness and tanginess.
This easy salad can be cooked on a griddle or a BBQ. Cooking the chicken breast strips and halloumi cheese does not take long and best serve fresh. The Chief Taster loved the salad with the seasoned chicken pairing well with the salty halloumi cheese.
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What is Halloumi Cheese?
Halloumi cheese is a semi-hard, unripened cheese that originated in Cyprus and is popular throughout the Mediterranean region. It's typically made from a mixture of sheep's milk, goat's milk and sometimes cow's milk.
What makes halloumi unique is its high melting point, which allows it to be grilled or pan-fried without losing its shape. This gives it a crispy exterior and a soft, slightly chewy texture inside. Halloumi has a salty flavor profile, making it a versatile ingredient in both savory and sweet dishes. It's often used in salads, sandwiches, wraps and as a standalone appetizer or snack. You may find it in shops labelled as "grilling cheese" too.
Ingredients
All you need to make this salad are a few ingredients.
- Halloumi cheese - also known as grilling cheese, this could be substituted with Feta cheese.
- Chicken breast - skinless and boneless chicken breasts are cut into slices for a quicker and easier cook.
- Avocado - Add a creamy texture to the salad as well as essential fats.
- Tomatoes - we used grape tomatoes but cherry tomatoes are a great substitute.
- Lettuce - any salad leaves can be used for this salad. Baby spinach or arugula make a great option too.
- Lime - for the acidic element of the salad dressing but lemon juice can be used in place of lime juice.
- Oregano - the chicken is seasoned in oregano before cooking to add flavor.
How to make chicken halloumi salad
Once the chicken and halloumi cheese have been cooked, you are ready to assemble the salad.
Season the chicken strips with oregano.
Cook the chicken on a griddle pan.
Cook the halloumi cheese strips.
Assemble the salad and enjoy.
Recipe Tips
Cut the halloumi into slices and grill or pan-fry until golden brown on both sides. Be careful not to overcook it, as it can become tough.
Incorporate crunchy elements like toasted pecans, almonds or keto croutons for texture contrast.
Serve the salad immediately after assembling to enjoy it at its freshest and most flavorful.
More low carb salads for summer
Enjoy a hearty and tasty salad with these other low carb recipes:
Chicken Halloumi Salad
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Ingredients
Dressing
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Slice the chicken breasts into ½ inch strips and place in a medium mixing bowl. Add the oregano, salt, pepper and olive oil and toss the chicken strips to coat.
- Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat, lightly oil the grill or grill pan and grill the halloumi slices for 1-2 minutes per side, until golden brown grill marks form. Set aside.
- Place the chicken strips on the grill and cook until golden on both sides and the chicken is cooked through.
- In a large bowl, toss together the mixed salad greens, avocado and cherry tomatoes. Arrange the grilled chicken slices and grilled halloumi on top of the salad greens.
- Mix the salad dressing in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Drizzle over the salad.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious chicken halloumi salad!
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.
