Grilled pita salad and tangy kebabs make the perfect summer meal from the grill. It's my take on the Middle Eastern bread salad, called Fattoush, with pops of cumin, sweet dates, and lemony sumac.
Give me bread and you'll make me happy. That's the quote I like to live by (I made it up by the way)! So, when you say salad, I say "add bread!" I've long loved the Italian bread salad called panzanella. This version uses pita, cumin, and sumac and is the most delicious fattoush salad recipe.
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What is panzanella and fattoush salad?
There are several types of bread salad. Panzanella and fattoush are just two of them.
Panzanella is simply bites of crusty bread tossed with tomatoes, other veggies, and dressing. The bread soaks up the tomato juices and vinaigrette and makes the salad more filling, and of course delicious.
The Middle Eastern version of bread salad is called fattoush or fatoush. Instead of using a crusty Italian loaf, pitas take that place and create another type of filling salad. I added tangy chicken kabobs to this recipe so you'll have an entire summer meal. I have to twist my own arm to eat a bowl of greens, so fun salad recipes are the way to my heart...I mean health.
Panzanella, that yummy salad I mentioned earlier, originated from the Italian tradition of using stale bread so it wouldn't go to waste. Fattoush is the same idea. It's derived from the arabic word for crumble. They would literally just crumble leftover pita on to their salad and let it soak up the vinaigrette goodness.
I think it's so great that two different parts of the world both created meals so that they could eat all the bread! Definitely my kind of recipes.
Fattoush salad recipe with sumac dressing
I packed this grilled pita salad with almonds, sweet dates and savory onions, along with a flavorful dressing. Cumin, sesame and of course sumac are key spices to this recipe as well.
Sumac is a tangy and citrusy type of spice that comes from the Middle East. If you're dying to make this recipe but can't find any sumac, try using some lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
What kind of pita bread should I use?
Regular pocket pita bread that you find in the bread aisle at the store is perfect. You can certainly use homemade, fluffy pita you might get at an authentic bakery and even pita flatbread without a pocket!
While I don't suggest using stale or old pita bread, you still want to get a good crisp texture in your salad. Grilling your pita bread is an important step. While it will soften in the salad, the grilling gives it a nice crunch along with adding a smokiness to the bread and to every bite of the salad.
What's the difference between kebab and kabob?
Oh my goodness this is such a thing for me! I grew up calling skewers of meat or vegetables "kabobs." That makes sense since I grew up in the United States!
The difference between kabob and kebab is really just that "kabob" is the U.S. spelling and "kebab" is the British spelling. That being said, "kebab" is the most used spelling and pronunciation around the world. Americans really hold on to, and use "kabob" exclusively!
I chose to use the spelling "kebab" in my cookbook since it was more universal. Whether you say they are Mediterranean kebabs or Mediterranean kabobs (you decide), I'll write about them as kebabs and kabobs!
Make Mediterranean kebabs with marinated chicken
This fattoush salad recipe is made even better with my grilled chicken skewers recipe. Two for one!
Chicken takes on flavor really well. The chicken marinade I made is deliciously acidic with the lemon juice but the sweet and spice from the cumin, red pepper, and honey balance out to a tasty flavor combination.
This recipe calls for chicken thighs. Does it really matter if you use chicken thighs vs chicken breasts? Yes! Sometimes as you grill chicken breasts they dry out. Thighs are a dark meat, therefore rich and tender. This makes them fantastic for grilling and helps them keep their flavor and moisture.
How long to grill chicken skewers?
Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165ºF. I used chicken thighs in this recipe, and cooked them on medium-high heat for about 8 minutes.
Medium-high heat on the grill is 400ºF to 450ºF. It doesn't take long to cook small pieces of chicken when it's over that high of heat! So watch your kebabs! And if you'd like to take the temperature, you can use a really good meat thermometer.
Make this flavorful fattoush salad dinner
I packed this grilled pita fattoush salad with almonds, sweet dates, and savory almonds to go with lemon chicken kabobs.
Turning the chicken into kabobs not only makes it crowd friendly, but also helps the chicken grill so nicely! Check out my other delicious chicken, pork and lamb kabob recipes for more inspiration as well as tricks for using bamboo skewers on the grill!
More grilled dinner recipes
This grilled pita salad with almonds is the perfect grilling meal and puts a twist on those chicken recipes for the summer!
Fattoush Salad with Lemon Chicken, Dates, and Almonds
Ingredients
Chicken Skewers
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Fattoush Salad
- 2 rounds pita bread
- ¼ cup olive oil, plus more for pita
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 Tbsp honey
- ½ cup chopped dates
- ½ cup chopped toasted almonds
- 1 tsp sumac (or ½ tsp lemon zest)
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- ¼ tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- 6 cups (5 oz) baby spinach
- ⅓ cup sliced red onion
Instructions
- Make chicken skewers: In a medium bowl mix lemon juice, honey, garlic, cumin, red pepper flakes and the ¼ cup olive oil. Cut chicken into large pieces (1 to 1½-inch) and add to the lemon mixture. Chill 1 hr.
- After chicken is marinated, heat grill to medium-high heat. Brush pitas with extra oil and grill, toasting well on both sides. Tear into pieces; set aside.
- Thread chicken onto skewers and grill over medium-high heat until just cooked through, about 8 minutes total. Chicken should be cooked to 165ºF internal temperature (you can use this meat thermometer).
- Make dressing: Whisk together the ¼ cup olive oil, vinegar, honey, dates, almonds, sumac, red pepper flakes, cumin, sesame seeds and salt; set aside until ready to serve salad.
- Combine spinach, red onion and grilled pita and toss with some of the date and almond dressing. Serve with chicken skewers and serve remaining dressing on the side.
Notes
Nutrition
Main Dish Recipes
- How To Grill Pork Tenderloin: Topped with Goat Cheese, Rosemary, and Honey
- The Best Mexican Meatballs With Chipotle And Adobo
- Creamy Tomato Soup with Chicken
- Real Cashew Chicken Recipe
- Thai Turkey Lettuce Wraps
- The Best Holiday Appetizer - Christmas Tree Lettuce Wraps
Check out these other sites for Middle Eastern recipe inspiration:
Food 52
New York Times
Food Network
Awesome Side Dish Recipes!
- Butternut Squash and Kale with Brown Rice and Pomegranates
- A Collection Of The Best Summer Pasta Salad Recipes
- Sweet and Super Moist Gluten-Free Cornbread
- Homemade Soft and Sweet Cornbread
- Choose Your Favorite: Easy Recipes For Potato Salad
- The Best Easter Dinner Side Dishes
About Tara Teaspoon
I’ve been in the food publishing business for over 20 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television & advertising. Order my new cookbook & stick around for amazing things to eat.
Recipe by Tara Teaspoon. Photography William Brinson. Food Styling Adrienne Anderson. Prop Styling Sara Cave. Original pub LHJ 7/13.
Jessica Formicola says
This is my kind of meal! So perfect for summer!
Tania | Fit Foodie Nutter says
This would be a perfect addition to any BBQ too! Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Jessica Levinson says
Looks so delicious! Definitely a winning lunch or dinner!
Tara says
Agreed! Any time of day!
Vicky says
I love the idea of using pita pieces in lieu of croutons. So clever! This makes a wonderful light lunch that still provides some much needed protein.
Tara says
Glad you like the idea!
Jacqueline Debono says
I love fattoush! So, this salad sounds perfect. Def going to keep this in mind for our next meal in the garden. I just think it's perfect outdoor food!
Tara says
Totally great for outdoor food!
Mike from Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks for this recipe. It was nice and light with just the right amount of spiciness for me. Perfect for summer.
Tara says
Awesome Mike! Glad you liked it!
Tami says
This looks delicious and will be great for the new and healthier lifestyle we are embarking upon. I am adding it to next week's menu.
Tara says
Oh can't wait for you to try it!
Jenni LeBaron says
This looks like such a great lunch! I love all the textures you've added, especially the crunchiness of the almonds!
Erin | The Epicurean Traveler says
This is my kind of summer meal! My boyfriend is from Iraq and I'm from a Michigan city with a large Arab American population. Naturally, we both LOVE kebabs. I can see this being one of our future date-night meals!
Tara says
Ah perfect! I hope it's a hit.
Rachel says
I am always looking for new recipes to use chicken thighs. My kids love them. This looks so good!
Aarika says
This is a great recipe! I enjoyed learning about Fattoush. I've never had bread salad, but I'm excited to try it! Thanks.
Tara says
It's one of my favorite secrets. Bread salad! Always so delicious.
Mary Bench says
Love this salad!
Brit says
My aunt's family is from Armenia so we're always looking for new Middle Eastern recipes, and this one looks INCREDIBLE! So excited to try it!
Natalie says
I love the mix of flavors and textures in this recipe. I can't wait to try it out!
Megan Palmer says
I've been looking for a new kabob recipe to try out this summer, I have added this one to my list!
Beth says
This salad looks so tasty and refreshing! Can't wait to make this!
Amanda says
Now this is my kind of meal, everything was delicious and so much fun to make!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
This is such an amazing flavor combo!! Would love to try it!
Toni Dash says
I really love how flavorful this is!! Can't wait to make it again!
katerina @ diethood.com says
I would love this for lunch! Sounds incredibly delicious!
Beti | easyweeknightrecipes says
Such an amazing and flavorful salad! I can't wait to try it!
Allyson Zea says
I am so glad we tried this recipe! It turned out so good!
Suzy says
Everything about this was so good! The chicken, pita and salad were perfect!