Grilled Chicken with Banana Pepper Dip and Fattoush
“The banana pepper dip in this recipe is perhaps my favorite recipe that my partner’s mother Bonnie Attea makes,” Lo says. “It’s a three-ingredient wonder that makes a weeknight chicken breast exciting. Banana peppers can vary on the heat scale so taste a little before mixing, and mitigate with a little cayenne per your taste.” Leftover banana pepper dip works well as a spread in sandwiches, or as a dip with pita crackers or crudités. While pre-crumbled feta may be used in the dip, blocks of feta crumble easily, and result in a richer, creamier texture.
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 medium banana peppers or other mild, tangy peppers (such as hungarian wax), seeded and thinly sliced, divided
- 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (about 2/3 cup)
- 3 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
- 1 ounce pita bread
- 1 (6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 4 grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 small persian cucumber, halved lengthwise and cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped red onion, rinsed
- 5 pitted kalamata olives, halved
- 2 teaspoons torn fresh mint or parsley
Direction
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a small skillet over medium. Add 2/3 cup sliced banana peppers, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to bowl of a mini food processor, and let cool completely, about 10 minutes. Add feta and 2 teaspoons lemon juice. Process until thick and creamy, 1 to 2 minutes, stopping to scrape sides of bowl as needed. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Set aside.
- Heat a grill pan over medium. Brush pita with 1/2 tablespoon oil; season to taste with salt and black pepper. Rub chicken breast with 1/2 tablespoon oil, and sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Grill chicken, uncovered, until a meat thermometer inserted in thickest portion registers 155°F, 6 to 8 minutes per side. Remove from pan; let rest 10 minutes. (Internal temperature will continue to rise to 165°F.) Grill pita, uncovered, turning often, until crisp and lightly charred, 4 to 6 minutes. Break pita into 1-inch pieces.
- Toss together tomatoes, cucumber, onion, olives, mint, pita pieces, remaining banana peppers, remaining 1 tablespoon oil, and remaining 1 teaspoon lemon juice in a medium bowl. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
- Slice chicken. Spread 1/4 cup banana pepper dip on a serving plate, and top with sliced chicken. Serve with fattoush. Reserve remaining dip for another use.
