Creamy Lemon Herb Chicken Salad Recipe
Fattoush is a refreshing Middle Eastern salad featuring crisp vegetables mixed with toasted pita bread pieces and a tangy lemon dressing. This easy-to-make salad offers a delightful combination of textures and bright flavors, making it a perfect starter or side dish for any meal.
- Author: Dana
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Vegetables
- 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup diced cucumbers
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chopped radishes
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
Pita Bread
- 2 pita breads, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for toasting pita)
Lemon Dressing
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon sumac
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Toast the pita bread: Preheat a skillet over medium heat. Toss the pita pieces with olive oil, then toast them in the skillet until golden brown and crispy, about 3-5 minutes, turning occasionally to avoid burning. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Prepare the vegetables: In a large salad bowl, combine chopped romaine lettuce, diced cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, green onions, parsley, and mint. Toss gently to mix all the ingredients evenly.
- Make the lemon dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, sumac, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until well combined.
- Toss the salad: Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss well to coat all ingredients evenly. Add the toasted pita pieces on top and give a gentle final toss just before serving to keep the pita crispy.
Notes
- For extra crunch, you can bake the pita pieces in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes instead of toasting in a skillet.
- Sumac lends a characteristic tart flavor, but if unavailable, a splash of extra lemon juice can substitute.
- The salad is best enjoyed immediately after adding the pita to prevent it from becoming soggy.
- Feel free to vary the vegetables based on seasonality and preference.
Keywords: Fattoush, Middle Eastern salad, pita bread salad, lemon dressing, fresh vegetable salad