It seems somewhat fitting to start the new year with a salad because I’ve eaten so many of them in the past week! I’m obsessed with the crunch of cos and gem lettuce, and a tangy dressing. This salad has crispy pan fried chicken added to it and is just so good.

The secret to the crispy chicken is using a gluten free flour mix. The combination of flours results in a light and crisp coating. You could replace it with rice or potato flour for a similar result, I usually have gluten free flours on hand for this specific use. Even though I’m not gluten free!

The sumac, za’atar and yoghurt dressing adds a spiced lemonly note that keeps everything feeling fresh and light. It’s just what I need at this time of year when I’m feeling that post holiday period bloat.

Serves 2

Ingredients

2 baby gem lettuce, leaves separated and washed.

1/3 cup spring onion, finely sliced

1/2 cup roughly chopped flat leaf parsley

1/2 an avocado, chopped into 2cm chunks

1/4 tsp sumac

Chicken

1 chicken breast, finely sliced (3-5mm)

1 clove crushed garlic

1/2 tsp sumac

1/4 tsp salt

1 Tbs olive oil
1/2 cup gluten free plain flour

1/2 tsp celery salt

1 tsp sesame seeds

Olive oil for cooking

Yoghurt dressing

1/4 cup yoghurt

1/2 tsp za’atar spice mix

1 tsp lemon juice

1tsp olive oil

Pinch of salt

Water to thin

Directions

Place the chicken, garlic, sumac and salt in a bowl and toss to coat. Add oil and toss again. Set aside for 20mins- 1hr.

Meanwhile stir together the dressing ingredients and set aside.

Place gluten free flour, celery salt and sesame seeds in a bowl. Mix.

Line a tray with baking paper. Dip each piece of chicken in the flour mix to evenly coat. Lie on a tray.

Heat a large fry pan on medium high heat. Add oil. Once hot add the chicken. Don’t crowd the pan, cook in batches if need be. Cook until golden on each side.

Assemble leaves in a bowl, scatter over 1/2 the herbs and drizzle the dressing. Sprinkle over half the remaining sumac. Add the avocado and chicken and follow with remaining herbs, more dressing and the remaining sumac. Dig in.

HH. x