It’s finally Friday! How was everyone’s week? I’ve been busy in the kitchen playing around with some new recipes.
When the weather starts to warm up, I like to make lighter dishes that aren’t lightened in flavor. I refuse to sacrifice taste. This Grilled Chicken Paillard with Arugula and Shaved Pecorino embodies light and flavorful perfectly. Paillard is a piece of meat that is pounded out thin and cooked quickly. Chicken breasts always have one side that’s thicker than the other. The thin part usually ends up over cooked and dry to ensure the thicker end is cooked through. Pounding out your chicken breast is the perfect solution. You get a nice tender piece of meat with uniform thickness. It doesn’t hurt that your portion looks much larger than it actually is 🙂
This recipe keeps the seasonings simple. You top the chicken with delicious, peppery arugula tossed in a lemon and olive oil dressing. It’s fresh, clean and full of flavor. It’s the ideal summer lunch or dinner. Pair it with a nice glass of Rosé (my favorite summer wine), and you’ve got yourself an excellent meal!
Let me show you how quick and easy it is. You guys are going to love this!
Slice 2 chicken breasts in half lengthwise.
Place the pieces in a zip top bag.
Pound out the chicken breast until it’s 1/4″ thick.
Place the chicken on a platter.
Brush a little olive oil on each side.
In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper and garlic powder.
Generously sprinkle the seasoning on each side.
In a large bowl, add the zest half a lemon…
…and the juice of half a lemon.
Add in olive oil, grainy mustard and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Whisk until combined. That’s it for your dressing. You don’t need a lot to flavor your salad. Set aside.
Pre-heat your grill on high. Turn down heat to medium-high and grill chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side or until fully cooked.
Add arugula to bowl with the dressing.
Toss to evenly coat the arugula.
Pull the chicken off the grill and place in the middle of the plate.
Top the warm chicken with a nice big portion of the dressed arugula.
Take a block of pecorino, and using a vegetable peeler, shave pieces right on top of the arugula.
How gorgeous is that! Serve immediately.
What are your favorite warm weather meals?
- For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- For the Salad:
- Zest and juice of half a lemon
- ½ teaspoon grainy mustard
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of pepper
- 6 cups arugula
- Shaved pecorino cheese
- Slice 2 chicken breasts in half lengthwise.
- Place the pieces in a zip top bag.
- Pound out the chicken breast until it's about a ¼" thick.
- Place the chicken on a platter and brush a little olive oil on each side.
- In a small bowl combine salt, pepper and garlic powder. Generously sprinkle the seasoning on each side.
- Pre-heat your grill on high. Turn down heat to medium-high and grill chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side or until fully cooked.
- In a large bowl, add the zest and juice of half a lemon.
- Add in olive oil, grainy mustard and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Add arugula to bowl with the dressing on the bottom.
- Toss to evenly coat the arugula.
- Pull the chicken off the grill and place in the middle of a clean plate.
- Top the warm chicken with a nice big portion of the dressed arugula.
- Take a block of pecorino and using a vegetable peeler, shave pieces right on top of the arugula.
- Serve immediately.
I’m sharing this awesome recipe with my friends over at Fiesta Friday, co-hosted by Effie @Food Daydreaming and Jhuls @The Not So Creative Cook.
I love everything from cake to kale. Life is all about balance. I like to live, laugh and love to the fullest! Our time is too short not to enjoy ourselves.
Hi Sarah, YUM, love chicken as you do, fish any Seafood, mostly grilled! Hope you have a super weekend my BBFF!!!
Thanks, you too BBFF!!
This indeed sounds like a very light and refreshing salad. As weather starts to warm up, this is one of the things I’d definitely enjoy. Thanks for bringing this at FF table and enjoy the party. xx
Glad you liked it 🙂 Happy FF!
This just looks so lite and delicious! I’ve never heard of paillard and now I have. Love learning new stuff!
Thanks! I love learning new stuff too…like from your blog 🙂
Sadly, I am not an arugula fan… I just don’t like it. I guess I could substitute with spinach instead. What do you think?
Yes, absolutely sub spinach! Arugula isn’t for everyone. Hope you enjoy 🙂
Great recipe Sarah! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Dave!
This is my favorite way to cook chicken on the grill – paillards always cook evenly and quickly 🙂
It’s now my favorite new way too 🙂
What a delightful spring like dinner, and in under 30 minutes I’m sure? :)))
Thanks! You bet, definitely under 30 🙂
Easy peasy delicious salad!Love it! 🙂 That’s the way we grill the chicken too 😛 Wish you a lovely weekend Sarah! :*
Thank you! Great minds grill alike 😉
I’m a total fan of Arugula, it can come with everything. Your recipe though sounds so great, I want to try it. Thanks for sharing and inspiring.
Thanks so much! I love Arugula too 🙂
I’m not usually a salad sort of guy, but when it includes grilled chicken and looks that good, even I can be tempted. Thanks for sharing with FF.
Thanks James! This might just make you a salad kind of guy 😉
Oh you! This looks delicious, and I love me some chicken! It looks delicious and perfect to add to my chicken salad recipes. Gosh, I love chicken!
Have an awesome fabulous delicious filled day chica
x
Perfect idea! I love chicken too! Have a wonderful day 🙂
What an elegant dish! Thanks for sharing with FF#65
Thank you Effie!