Skip to main content

Grilled Buttermilk Chicken With Summer Salad

A heaping plate of grilled chicken interspersed with a range of colorful vegetables.
Photograph by Elliott Jerome Brown Jr., Food Styling by Mieko Takahashi, Prop Styling by Gerri Williams

While a standard buttermilk brine needs at least two hours to impart noticeable flavor and tenderness to chicken, buttermilk powder works as a speedier stand-in. This dry-rub approach works instantly and the chicken will caramelize and take on a delightful char when grilled. Buttermilk powder then also gets used to dress a summer salad. Mixed with citrus juice, olive oil, a little garlic, and mustard, the vinaigrette lends tangy zing to fresh cucumber, tomatoes, and herbs. It’s a delightful place for those chicken breasts to land on.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    30 minutes

  • Yield

    4–6 servings

Ingredients

1 garlic clove, finely grated
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
3 Tbsp. plus ½ cup buttermilk powder
2½ tsp. sugar, divided
1¾ tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt, divided, plus more
1 tsp. freshly ground pepper, plus more
1 large English hothouse cucumber, halved lengthwise, sliced 1" thick on a diagonal
1 lb. mixed tomatoes (such as beefsteak, heirloom, and/or cherry), cut into thick wedges, halved if small
1 cup chopped dill and/or thinly sliced chives
3 medium skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 1½ lb.)
2½ tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. onion powder
2 medium red onions, cut into thick wedges through root ends

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Whisk 1 garlic clove, finely grated, ¼ cup fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp. Dijon mustard, ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil, 3 Tbsp. buttermilk powder, ½ tsp. sugar, and ¼ tsp. Diamond Crystal or Morton kosher salt in a small bowl; season with freshly ground pepper. Set dressing aside.

    Step 2

    Toss 1 large English hothouse cucumber, halved lengthwise, sliced 1" thick on a diagonal, 1 lb. mixed tomatoes (such as beefsteak, heirloom, and/or cherry), cut into thick wedges, halved if small, and 1 cup chopped dill and/or thinly sliced chives in a large bowl; set salad aside.

    Step 3

    Working with 1 of 3 medium skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 1½ lb.), at a time, hold a long knife parallel to cutting board and cut in half, slicing along a longer side to divide into 2 thin cutlets. (They should be about ¼" thick. If too thick, cover with plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet or the back of a cast-iron skillet.)

    Step 4

    Mix 2½ tsp. garlic powder, 2 tsp. onion powder, 1 tsp. freshly ground pepper, and remaining ½ cup buttermilk powder, 2 tsp. sugar, and 1½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1 tsp. Morton kosher salt in a shallow bowl. Dredge each cutlet in mixture to generously coat on both sides; arrange on a baking sheet. Sprinkle any remaining dredge over cutlets.

    Step 5

    Prepare a grill for medium heat. Place 2 medium red onions, cut into thick wedges through root ends, on a another baking sheet. Drizzle with oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Grill onions, cut side down, until grill marks form and they release easily from grate, 1–2 minutes. Turn; grill until slightly softened, ends are lightly charred, and grill marks form on other side, 1–2 minutes. Return to baking sheet.

    Step 6

    Drizzle chicken with oil. Grill until dark grill marks appear and chicken releases easily from grate (if stuck, use a spatula to help release), 1–2 minutes. Turn and grill until cooked through, 1–2 minutes. Transfer to a plate; season with more salt if needed.

    Step 7

    Add onions to reserved salad. Drizzle reserved dressing over, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Arrange on a platter and top with chicken. Drizzle any dressing left in bowl over.

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
Lacking an actual tandoor, the air fryer might be the best way to make chicken tikka. Juicy, charred, and well-spiced, it’s your new weeknight MVP.
Spiced chicken, charred peppers, and gooey cheese—these never-soggy quesadillas are a favorite for a reason.
A simple marinade, made with caper brine, becomes a punchy pan sauce, with melted butter for a velvety texture and whole capers for pops of tang.
Juicy steak, crisp lettuce, and a blender dressing come together for a breezy summer dinner.
This pasta starring summer corn achieves its savory, creamy sauce thanks to one special ingredient: buttermilk powder.
With homemade quick pickles, this will be your new signature side dish.
These crispy cutlets feature a coconut-breadcrumb coating and sriracha mayo. Pair with a bright cuke salad to turn into a meal.
Salmon is given the weeknight-friendly pastrami treatment with a sugar-and-spice blend that creates a smoky crust reminiscent of the cured meat.