Chicken and Pickled Watermelon Salad
A refreshing summer salad that combines the sweetness of pickled watermelon, the savory flavor of chicken, and the tanginess of feta cheese.





4.2 / 5 (728)
Ingredients
Produce
- watermelon
2 cups
- red onion
1 cup
- fresh mint
a handful
Proteins
- chicken breast
1 pound
Dairy
- feta cheese
1 cup
Pantry
- white vinegar
1 cup
- sugar
1 tablespoon
- salt
a pinch
Instructions
- 1
Start by pickling the watermelon.
In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of white vinegar, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and a pinch of salt. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Add 2 cups of diced watermelon to the bowl and let it sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
- 2
Grill the chicken.
Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Season 1 pound of chicken breast with salt and your favorite herbs. Grill the chicken for 20-25 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Let it rest before slicing.
- 3
Prepare the salad.
In a large bowl, combine the pickled watermelon, sliced grilled chicken, 1 cup of crumbled feta cheese, and a handful of chopped fresh mint. Thinly slice 1 cup of red onion and add it to the bowl.
- 4
Dress the salad.
In a small bowl, whisk together your favorite salad dressing ingredients. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
Ratings & Reviews
User Ratings
5
374
4
207
3
115
2
11
1
21
Reviews
- CateYes
Oh my gosh, I am absolutely **obsessed** with this Chicken and Pickled Watermelon Salad recipe!!! As someone who's always on the lookout for new outdoor-inspired eats, this dish totally hits the spot. The combination of sweet pickled watermelon, savory grilled chicken, and tangy feta cheese is *chef's kiss* perfection. And can we talk about the freshness of the mint and the crunch of the red onion? It's like a party in your mouth! The only thing that would make this recipe even better is if it came with a side of craft cocktail pairing suggestions (hello, summer vibes!). Anyway, if you're looking for a refreshing and adventurous meal to spice up your week, look no further. Just a heads up: I had to make sure to check the ingredients list twice to ensure there was no high-fructose corn syrup hiding anywhere - super considerate of that. Overall, I'm giving this recipe a solid 5 stars and can't wait to make it again (and probably a few variations, because, let's be real, I'm a bit scattered and love trying new things)!!!
- AishaP2001
I'm afraid this recipe doesn't align with my dietary preferences as it contains chicken and feta cheese, making it non-vegetarian. Furthermore, the dish doesn't incorporate any curry elements or Indian sweets, which I thoroughly enjoy. The preparation and cooking times seem reasonable; however, I would have appreciated more complexity and creativity in the recipe. Perhaps a variation with paneer or a unique curry twist could make it more appealing to my taste.
- ZeeKhan22
### A Refreshing Halal-Friendly Salad with Room for Improvement I recently tried the Chicken and Pickled Watermelon Salad recipe, and I must say it was quite refreshing and unique. As someone who follows a halal diet, I appreciated that the ingredients and cooking methods used in this recipe align with my dietary preferences. The combination of pickled watermelon, grilled chicken, feta cheese, and fresh mint was intriguing and mostly worked well together. However, I had to substitute the feta cheese with a gluten-free alternative due to my gluten allergy, which slightly affected the overall flavor. One thing that could be improved is the clarity of the recipe instructions. As a non-native English speaker, I sometimes struggled to understand certain phrases or idioms used in the recipe. Nevertheless, I managed to follow it successfully. Overall, I would recommend this recipe to those looking to try new Middle Eastern-inspired dishes, with some minor adjustments to accommodate gluten-free dietary needs.
- TahirTheGreat
Assalamu alaikum! I tried this Chicken and Pickled Watermelon Salad recipe and found it quite refreshing. The combination of sweet pickled watermelon, savory chicken, and tangy feta cheese was unique and enjoyable. However, I must admit that I was expecting a bit more warmth in the dish, as Pakistani cuisine often features bold flavors and spices. The use of herbs in the recipe was a nice touch, but I think adding some cumin or coriander would make it more familiar to my taste buds. Overall, I'd recommend this recipe to those looking for a light and refreshing salad, but it might not be my go-to dish for a special occasion. JazakAllah khair for sharing this recipe!
- evie_wong2001
### A Refreshing yet Imperfect Salad Recipe I appreciate the creativity behind this Chicken and Pickled Watermelon Salad recipe, which combines flavors and textures in a refreshing summer dish. The use of pickled watermelon as a sweet and tangy element is particularly intriguing. However, as a vegetarian who is also gluten-sensitive, I find the inclusion of chicken and the potential for gluten in some salad dressings to be drawbacks. ### Adjustments for Dietary Preferences To better align with my dietary preferences, I would substitute the chicken breast with a plant-based protein source, such as marinated and grilled portobello mushrooms or tofu, and choose a gluten-free salad dressing. The recipe itself does not inherently include gluten, but care must be taken with the dressing ingredients. ### Suggestions for Enhancement - **Incorporate more plant-based protein**: Consider adding quinoa, chickpeas, or another protein source that fits my vegetarian and gluten-sensitive requirements. - **Detailed dressing recipe**: Providing a gluten-free dressing recipe would enhance the usability of this dish for those with gluten sensitivity. ### Conclusion While this recipe shows promise and aligns with some of my preferences, such as the use of fresh mint and the refreshing quality of pickled watermelon, it requires adjustments to suit my dietary needs. With a bit of creativity and substitution, it could become a delightful addition to a vegetarian and gluten-sensitive meal plan.
- Yarita88
I must say, this Chicken and Pickled Watermelon Salad recipe is a delightful and refreshing combination of flavors and textures! The sweetness of the pickled watermelon, the savory flavor of the grilled chicken, and the tanginess of the feta cheese are a perfect match. I love how the recipe incorporates fresh mint, which reminds me of the vibrant flavors found in Brazilian cuisine. Although I'm a pescatarian, I appreciate a well-cooked chicken dish, and this one is certainly impressive. The only reason I wouldn't give it a full 5 stars is that it lacks the rich, comforting flavors of a traditional feijoada or the nutritional benefits of an açaí bowl. Nonetheless, I would definitely make this salad again and experiment with different ingredients to make it my own. **Excelente receita!**
- KT_22
I like dis salad! Its got alot of ingrediants I like. Grilled chicken is my favret. I dont like feta cheese thats blue but this feta is ok. Pickled watermelon is new to me but its sweet and juicy. I wish ther was more chicken tho. Maybe add some udon noodles next time. Easy to make and delishus! Would make again
- RoJain22
I'm not gonna lie, this chicken and pickled watermelon salad was a bit of a departure from my usual spice-tingling street food fix. I mean, don't get me wrong, the combo of sweet, tangy, and savory was pretty cool, but it just didn't quite hit the spot for me. As a strict vegetarian, I was already skeptical about the chicken, but I was willing to give it a shot. That being said, I think I'd love to see a veggie version of this recipe - maybe swap out the chicken for some marinated portobellos or something? The pickled watermelon was a nice touch, though, and the feta cheese added a nice creaminess. If I'm being real, though, I'd probably rather be munching on some vada pav or pani puri while watching a cricket match. Maybe this salad just needs a bit more kick to get me going? Either way, it's a solid 3 stars from me - thanks for the rec, mate!
- CemOz92
I like this salad, it's refreshing and healthy. The pickled watermelon is a great idea, not too sweet which is good for me, I'm trying to reduce sugar intake. The combination with grilled chicken, feta cheese, and mint is nice. I would like to add some Turkish spices like sumac or paprika to give it more flavor. Also, I think using halal-certified chicken is important for me. Overall, it's a good salad, I would make it again with some adjustments.
- YaraTheArtist
I really enjoyed making this salad! The combination of flavors and textures is amazing. I loved how the sweetness of the pickled watermelon balances out the tanginess of the feta cheese. The grilled chicken was so tender and juicy. I added some sumac to give it a bit of a Middle Eastern twist, which is my favorite. The only thing I would change is using gluten-free dressing, but that's just a minor detail. Overall, this recipe is a great addition to my Mediterranean-inspired meal rotation. I would definitely make it again and experiment with different types of seafood or add some shawarma-style spices to give it an extra boost of flavor.
- KTanaka1980
I found the Chicken and Pickled Watermelon Salad to be a refreshing and well-balanced dish. The combination of flavors and textures was quite pleasant, with the sweetness of the pickled watermelon complementing the savory flavor of the grilled chicken and the tanginess of the feta cheese. While I appreciate the creativity of this recipe, I must admit that I would have preferred a more substantial main course, given my affinity for heartier Japanese-inspired dishes. Nevertheless, this salad would make an excellent side dish or a light lunch option. Overall, I would recommend this recipe to those seeking a unique and revitalizing culinary experience.
- CyrusTheGreat22
A Refreshing Twist on Traditional Flavors I must say, I was skeptical about trying a salad with pickled watermelon, but this recipe won me over. The combination of flavors and textures was surprisingly delightful. The sweetness of the watermelon, the savory flavor of the chicken, and the tanginess of the feta cheese all came together beautifully. As someone who loves traditional West African cuisine, I appreciate the creative twist on familiar flavors. The use of fresh mint and red onion added a nice depth to the dish. While it's not a traditional jollof rice or fufu, I can see how this salad could be a great side dish or light meal. My only concern is the absence of any bold spices or seasonings, which are characteristic of West African cuisine. Perhaps adding a pinch of suya spice or berbere seasoning could give it an extra kick? Overall, I'd give this recipe 4 stars. It's a great summer salad that's easy to make and refreshing to eat. I'd definitely make it again, but with a few tweaks to make it more suited to my taste buds.