My Recipe Box

Chicken and Black Rice Salad

A refreshing salad combining the unique flavor of black rice with grilled chicken, crunchy vegetables, and a zesty dressing.
Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4
Image 5
Image 6
EASY
Prep: 15-20 mins
Cook: 20-25 mins
Serves: 4
Author: ChrisW82

4.1 / 5 (621)


Ingredients

Grains
  • black rice

    1 cup

  • white vinegar

    a splash

Proteins
  • boneless chicken breast

    1 pound

  • olive oil

    2 tablespoons

Vegetables
  • red bell pepper

    1 medium

  • red onion

    1 small

  • cucumber

    1 medium

  • tomato

    2 medium

Spices and Seasonings
  • salt

    a pinch

  • black pepper

    a few grinds

  • lemon juice

    2 tablespoons

  • honey

    1 teaspoon


Instructions

  • 1
    Start by cooking the black rice according to the package instructions.

    Cooking black rice is similar to cooking regular rice, but it may have a slightly different water ratio and cooking time. Follow the package for the best results.

  • 2
    Grill the chicken breast until it is cooked through.

    Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings before grilling. Make sure it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure food safety.

  • 3
    Chop the red bell pepper, red onion, cucumber, and tomatoes into bite-sized pieces.

    Try to make the pieces somewhat uniform so that each bite of the salad has a good mix of ingredients. Also, be sure to wash the vegetables before chopping them.

  • 4
    In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, and honey to make the dressing.

    Adjust the amount of lemon juice and honey to taste. This dressing is quite versatile and can be adjusted based on personal preference.

  • 5
    Add the cooked rice, grilled chicken, and chopped vegetables to the bowl with the dressing.

    Toss everything together until the ingredients are well coated with the dressing. Be gentle to avoid damaging the ingredients.

  • 6
    Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste.

    Add any additional seasonings you like, but be cautious not to over-season.

  • 7
    Serve the salad immediately.

    This salad is best served fresh, but it can be refrigerated for up to a day. Give it a good stir before serving.

Ratings & Reviews

User Ratings

5

286

4

198

3

89

2

32

1

16

Reviews

  • KieranPM

    A Salad Fit for a Bard, Almost I must admit, I approached this Chicken and Black Rice Salad recipe with a mix of skepticism and curiosity. As a meat-lover and aficionado of hearty Irish pub fare, the idea of a salad as a main course seemed a bit...dare I say, 'unmanly'? But, I was willing to give it a chance, if only for the sake of my gluten allergy and the promise of a refreshing respite from the usual rich desserts that tempt my sweet tooth. The black rice, with its subtle nutty flavor, proved to be a delightful base for this salad. The grilled chicken, cooked to perfection, added a satisfying heft to each bite. And the vegetables? Crisp, fresh, and a riot of color, much like a well-stocked bookshelf. The dressing, a zesty concoction of lemon juice and honey, brought all the flavors together with the finesse of a master poet. If I were to offer any criticism, it would be that the dish, while satisfying, felt a tad...light. A bit too ephemeral for my usual tastes. But, I suppose that's the price one pays for a gluten-free, relatively healthy meal. And, I must confess, the flavors did linger, rather like the haunting cadence of a well-crafted sonnet. In short, I'd recommend this recipe to anyone looking for a tasty, gluten-free meal that's a cut above the usual fare. Just don't expect it to fill the boots of a hungry Irishman, like myself.

  • Kairos23

    I enjoy meat-based dishes, and this chicken and black rice salad fits my preference. The combination of grilled chicken with crunchy vegetables and a zesty dressing seems refreshing. Although I love sushi and ramen, I appreciate a well-crafted salad like this one. The use of black rice is interesting, and I like the flexibility in adjusting the dressing to my taste. Overall, a solid 4-star dish for me.

  • RukuD98

    This recipe, though refreshing and well-composed, didn't quite align with my tastes. As a vegetarian who cherishes the vibrant flavors of traditional South Indian cuisine, I found the use of chicken and the overall flavor profile to be quite distant from my heart's desires. The black rice, with its mysterious allure, was an intriguing element, but it seemed to yearn for companions that danced with the spices of my homeland. The dressing, with its zesty whisper, was a gentle caress, but it lacked the bold, loving strokes that typically characterize my beloved dishes. Perhaps, with some creative adjustments, this salad could find its way into my heart, but for now, it remains a gentle acquaintance, not a dear friend.

  • MLWong18

    Yaaas, this Chicken and Black Rice Salad recipe is a solid 4/5 from me! As a flexitarian who's always down to try new Asian fusion vibes, I was stoked to give this dish a shot. The combo of black rice, grilled chicken, and crunchy veggies is straight fire, and I loved how easy it was to whip up. The dressing is where things get really interesting - I added a bit more honey to balance out the acidity from the lemon juice, and it was perfection. My only gripe is that it could use a bit more heat, so next time I'm adding some sriracha or Korean chili flakes to give it that extra kick. Also, props for being lactose-free, I've got that intolerance bad. Would def make again with some tweaks, tbh.

  • KiraMatsu88

    This Chicken and Black Rice Salad recipe aligns well with my preferences for trying international dishes and incorporating Japanese-inspired ingredients, such as black rice. The combination of grilled chicken, crunchy vegetables, and a zesty dressing appears to be a refreshing and flavorful option. As someone who is mildly lactose intolerant, I appreciate that the recipe does not include any dairy products. The preparation and cooking times are reasonable, and the steps provided are clear and easy to follow. However, I would have preferred more specific guidance on the water ratio and cooking time for the black rice, as well as some suggestions for additional seasonings or variations to make the dish more personalized.

  • Mariposa82

    I try this recipe, Chicken and Black Rice Salad, and I like! The black rice, eet ees a nice touch, yes? I love how they combine with grilled chicken, crunchy vegetables, and that zesty dressing. I think I can make some adjustments to give eet a little kick, you know, some Cuban flavor. Maybe add some cumin, chili powder, or a little hot sauce to make eet more spicy. I like that eet ees easy to make and not too much time to prepare. I can serve eet to my friends and family and they will love eet. I just think that maybe some traditional Latin American ingredients like avocado or plantains would make eet even better. Overall, I am happy with this recipe and I will make eet again.

  • LeilaH92

    I'm so glad I stumbled upon this Chicken and Black Rice Salad recipe! As someone who loves traditional Egyptian dishes like koshari and ful medames, I was curious to try something new and refreshing. The combination of black rice, grilled chicken, and crunchy veggies is really a winner. I must say, I was a bit worried about the dressing, but the hint of lemon juice and honey was just perfect - it reminded me of the sweetness in basbousa! I followed the recipe to the letter, and it was easy to make, just like the instructions said. I served it to my family, and everyone loved it. I'd definitely make it again, and I think it's a great option for a quick and delicious meal. Insha'Allah, I'll be making it again soon!

  • Sofi_Ro

    I really like this Chicken and Black Rice Salad recipe! It's muy fresco and easy to make, just like my abuela used to make. The combination of grilled chicken, crunchy vegetables, and zesty dressing is delicioso. I love that it's not too spicy, so I can enjoy it with my family. The only thing I would change is adding some cilantro on top, because everything is better with cilantro, ¿entiendes? Overall, it's a great recipe for a quick and tasty meal.

  • AstridL94

    This Chicken and Black Rice Salad recipe has potential, but it needs a bit of tweaking to align with my eco-friendly and flexitarian values. Firstly, I appreciate the use of local and organic produce in the ingredients list, but I'd love to see more emphasis on sustainable seafood options or at least a mention of responsible sourcing. The recipe itself is straightforward and easy to follow, which I appreciate. However, I'd suggest swapping the chicken for a more sustainable protein source like cod or salmon. The dressing is a nice touch, but I might substitute the honey for a locally-sourced alternative. Overall, I'd give this recipe 4 stars - it's a great base, but with a few tweaks, it could be truly exceptional. One thing to note is that I'd be more critical of the ingredient quality and sourcing, so a more detailed breakdown of sustainable options would be helpful.

  • EK2003

    YaaS, this Chicken and Black Rice Salad recipe is a solid 4/5 from me! As an introvert, I appreciate that it's easy to make and doesn't require a lot of social interaction (aka no dinner parties). The use of black rice and Asian-inspired flavors is a major win in my book. However, I'm lactose intolerant, so I would've appreciated a non-dairy dressing option (hint: swap honey for maple syrup and use a non-dairy milk). That being said, the lemon juice and honey combo is on point. The recipe is also super easy to follow, even for an analytical introvert like myself. Overall, I'd def make this again with some tweaks. Lowkey perfect for a solo dinner

  • RoJain2001

    I really enjoy **grilled chicken** and **fresh vegetables** together. This salad recipe seems like a great combination of flavors and textures. The use of **black rice** is interesting - I've had it before, but not often. I'm careful about **gluten**, so it's good that there isn't any in this recipe. I like that it's easy to make and doesn't take too long. The **zesty dressing** with **lemon juice and honey** sounds delicious. I might add some **spices** to give it a bit more flavor, like I do with my favorite **samosas**. Overall, a tasty and refreshing salad!

  • YaraTheGreat

    Honestly, I was a bit skeptical about trying black rice, but I have to admit, it's a game-changer! The combination with grilled chicken and veggies is pretty standard, but the flavors work well together. However, as a pescatarian, I wish there were more seafood options in this recipe. I'd love to see some shrimp or salmon added to give it a bit more excitement. The dressing is also a bit too sweet for my taste, but I appreciate the flexibility to adjust to my liking. Overall, it's a solid 3 stars - I'd make it again, but with some tweaks to make it more to my liking. And, of course, I'd be extra careful with the ingredients due to my peanut allergy, but that's a given!

  • AaruP88

    This Chicken and Black Rice Salad recipe doesn't quite tickle my taste buds. As a vegetarian, I was immediately turned off by the grilled chicken. I think a similar salad with roasted vegetables or tofu would be more up my alley. The use of lemon juice and honey in the dressing is a nice touch, but I'd love to see some heat added to it, maybe some cayenne pepper or red chili flakes to give it a bit of a kick. Gujarati cuisine often features a mix of sweet and spicy flavors, so I'd suggest experimenting with some ajwain or cumin seeds to give it that authentic flavor. Overall, it's an okay recipe, but it's not something I'd make again. **Chakde phir se** (try again), I suppose!

  • EthanLJ07

    Honestly, this recipe is a total miss for me. First off, it's not vegan - it's got chicken and honey in it, which is a major bummer. I'm all about trying new plant-based recipes, but this one doesn't even get close. And can we talk about the ingredients? Black rice is cool, I'll give it that, but the rest of the stuff is pretty basic. I mean, red bell pepper, red onion, cucumber, and tomato? It's like they just threw a bunch of random veggies in there and called it a day. And don't even get me started on the lack of international flair - it's just a boring old salad with a zesty dressing. I mean, I've had better. If they swapped out the chicken for some tofu or tempeh and ditched the honey for a vegan alternative, I'd be down to try it again. But as it stands? Not impressed.

  • AstridTheGreat88

    I'm not sure what I was expecting from this recipe, but as a vegetarian, I was immediately turned off by the presence of chicken. I mean, couldn't they have used a portobello mushroom or something instead? The ingredients themselves seem nice enough, I suppose. Black rice is an interesting choice, and I appreciate the use of traditional flavors like lemon juice and honey in the dressing. However, the overall dish just doesn't align with my tastes or dietary preferences. I do appreciate the detailed instructions, though - it's clear the author is trying to be helpful. If you're a meat-lover, you might enjoy this recipe. But for me, it's a hard pass.

  • Kairos23

    I like dis recipe. Chicken is good, and black rice is interesting. I try new foods, like ramen and udon, so I like try new rice too. Only problem is no cheese, I like cheese but it make me sick, so I avoid it. I think dis recipe is easy to make, I just need be carefull with spelling and mesurements. I like dis salad, it is refreshing and tasty. I give it 4 stars.

  • rkumar81

    This Chicken and Black Rice Salad recipe, eet ees quite interesting, yes? I appreciate the combination of black rice with grilled chicken and vegetables, reminiscent of some Indian-inspired dishes I enjoy. The use of lemon juice and honey in the dressing ees a nice touch, balancing the flavors nicely. As a non-vegetarian who enjoys traditional Indian dishes, I think this salad ees a great fusion of flavors, although it ees not as spicy as some of the dishes I typically enjoy. Overall, I would give eet 4 stars - a solid recipe for those looking for a refreshing and flavorful salad.