This Portuguese Salad is a savory summer salad with fruit that's juicy, healthy, and downright delicious.
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Why This Recipe Stands Out
This Portuguese Salad recipe is a showstopper. Here's why it's the best:
- Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and easy cooking techniques, making it a perfect quick and healthy weeknight meal.
- Aromatic Chicken: The spice blend used for the chicken thighs is incredibly flavorful, making them the star of this salad.
- Grilled Peaches: The grilled peaches add extra juiciness to the dish, perfectly balancing the savory and sweet flavors
- Versatile: This dish can be served as a main course for lunch or dinner or as a refreshing side dish at a BBQ or picnic.
- Meal Prep: The salad can be assembled ahead of time, and the vinaigrette can be packed separately, making it a great option for meal prepping.
Key Ingredients
- Chicken Thighs – The star of our salad, these boneless, skinless chicken thighs are not only a great source of protein but also absorb the flavors of the spices beautifully.
- Peaches – The grilled peaches add a sweet and slightly smoky flavor that complements the savory chicken.
- Spices (Paprika, Chili Powder, Cumin Powder, Garlic Powder) – This spice blend not only seasons the chicken but also adds a depth of flavor that sets this salad apart.
- Arugula – Its peppery flavor and robust texture make it a perfect base for our salad.
- Feta Cheese – The tangy and salty flavors of feta cheese add a delicious contrast to the sweet peaches and savory chicken.
- Honey-Balsamic Vinaigrette – It ties all the flavors together with its sweet and tangy notes.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are some of our favorite variations and substitutions to make this dish your own:
- Greens: While we love the peppery bite of arugula, feel free to swap it with spinach or even kale for a heartier mix.
- Peaches: If peaches are not in season, try nectarines or even some fresh apricots for that sweet and tangy flavor.
- Cheese: Not a fan of Feta? Goat cheese would be a great alternative, or try some shaved Parmesan for a nutty, salty kick.
How to Make Portuguese Salad
Step 1: Combine minced parsley, lemon zest, spices, garlic, sugar, salt, and olive oil in a bowl.
Step 2: Whisk and pour the blend over the chicken. Marinate for 30 minutes.
Step 3: Cook marinated chicken on a grill for 5 minutes on each side. Rest the chicken.
Step 4: Grill halved peaches for a few minutes on each side.
Step 5: Slice the cooked chicken and set aside. Whisk the ingredients for the vinaigrette in a bowl.
Step 6: In a serving bowl, combine arugula, chicken, peaches, onion, tomatoes, and feta. Drizzle with vinaigrette and serve.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
What to Serve with Portuguese Salad
Appetizers and Starters
- This salad is a great way to start a meal, especially if you’re serving a Portuguese main course. It’s light, refreshing, and full of flavor.
- You can also serve it as an appetizer with some crusty bread on the side. The bread is perfect for soaking up the delicious vinaigrette.
Main Courses
- This salad pairs well with a variety of main dishes. It’s a great side for grilled or roasted meats, such as steak, chicken, or pork.
- Seafood also goes well with this salad. Try serving it with some grilled or sauteed shrimp or a piece of seared fish.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use any type of peaches for this salad, but I recommend using ripe but firm peaches. This will make them easier to grill and will give the salad a nice texture.
Yes, we recommend marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes. This allows the chicken to soak up the flavors of the spices and the olive oil. It results in a more flavorful and juicy grilled chicken.
Yes, you can definitely use a regular outdoor grill for this recipe. Preheat your grill and cook the chicken thighs and peaches as per the instructions. The grilling time may vary slightly, so keep an eye on them to achieve the desired doneness.
This salad is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, they can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Similar Recipes
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Recipe
Portuguese Salad With Grilled Chicken And Peaches
Ingredients
- 6 chicken thighs skinless boneless
- 2 peaches quartered, pits removed
- 2 tablespoons parsley finely minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon chilli powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ⅓ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 handfuls of arugula
- 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
- ⅓ cup Feta cheese crumbled
- ½ small red onion thinly sliced
For The Vinaigrette
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine minced parsley, lemon zest, paprika, chilli powder, cumin, garlic, brown sugar, pepper, salt and olive oil.
- Give everything a nice whisk and pour the blend over the chicken thighs. Mix well until chicken is coated into spices. Let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat your grill pan for 5 minutes and cook chicken thighs for 5 minutes on each side.
- Remove from the grill and let it rest.
- Wipe the grill pan with a paper towel and put it on the heat again. Place halved peaches on a grill and cook for a few minutes on each side until distinctive grill marks are seen.
- On a cutting board, thinly slice your chicken and set aside.
- In a small bowl whisk together ingredients for the vinaigrette.
- In a serving bowl combine arugula, chicken, peaches, red onion, grape tomatoes and feta cheese. Drizzle with vinaigrette and serve immediately.
Notes
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Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.
Erin says
Hi there! This recipe looks great! Do you have a recommendation for stove top grills?
Iryna says
Hi Erin! Thank you! Here's the stovetop grill I've been using for years http://amzn.to/2E6O1Of. I love it!
Albert Trotter says
it looks so so yummy and delicious
Iryna says
Thank you!