Chopped tandoori chicken salad
Makes: 4 servings
Total time: 1 hour
1 cup nonfat plain yogurt, divided
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 1⁄ teaspoons ground cumin,
2 divided
1 1⁄ teaspoons garam masala,
2 divided
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
3⁄ teaspoon salt, divided
4
1⁄ teaspoon freshly ground
2 pepper
1 1⁄ pounds boneless, skinless
4 chicken thighs, trimmed
2 pints grape or cherry tomatoes
1⁄ cup finely chopped fresh
4 cilantro
3 tablespoons white-wine vinegar
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Cayenne pepper to taste
8 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 European cucumber, chopped
1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed
1. Whisk 1⁄ cup yogurt, the garlic, 2 teaspoons
2 cumin, 1 teaspoon garam masala, coriander, turmeric, 1⁄ teaspoon salt and pepper in a medium
2 bowl. Place chicken in a sealable gallon-size plastic bag and add the yogurt mixture. Close the bag and massage the marinade into the chicken. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.
2. Twenty minutes before you are ready to grill, preheat grill to medium-high.
3. Remove the chicken from the marinade (discard the remaining marinade). Take the chicken and tomatoes out to the grill. Oil the grill rack. Place the chicken on the hottest part of the grill. Skewer the tomatoes or place in a grill basket. Grill the chicken, turning once, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 165 degrees, 5 to 6 minutes per side. Grill the tomatoes, turning or stirring occasionally, until slightly charred, 5 to 6 minutes. Let cool while you prepare the dressing and the rest of the salad.
4. Combine the remaining 1⁄ cup yogurt, 1⁄
2 2 teaspoon each cumin and garam masala and 1⁄
4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Whisk in cilantro, vinegar, oil and cayenne. Add romaine, cucumber and chickpeas. Chop the chicken and add to the salad; toss well. Serve with the tomatoes.
Notes: Oiling a grill rack before you grill foods helps ensure that the food won’t stick. Oil a folded paper towel, hold it with tongs and rub it over the rack. (Do not use cooking spray on a hot grill.) When grilling delicate foods like tofu and fish, it is helpful to coat the food with cooking spray.