Add Some Cajun Spice to Your Salad

Charring chicken on the grill gives the salad a little bite. Jason Donnelly/TNS

Here, we coat chicken with spices common to Cajun cooking, like dried thyme and cayenne pepper. Then, instead of using the traditional method of searing in a cast-iron pan, we char it on the grill.

Blackened Chicken With Chopped Salad

Active Time: 25 minutes Total Time: 25 minutes

Serves 4

• 1 1/2 tablespoons paprika
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder, divided
• 3/4 teaspoon ground pepper, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon salt plus a pinch, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 pound chicken cutlets
• 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 8 cups butter lettuce
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered if large

Preheat grill to medium-high.