Arugula Chicken Salad With Olives Pecans Original Recipes

ARUGULA SALAD

Steps:

• Place the arugula, carrots, and tomatoes in a large bowl.
• In a small bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the dressing ingredients: lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and salt. (Alternatively, you can shake them all together in a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid).
• Drizzle enough over the arugula to moisten it, then toss to combine.
• Sprinkle Parmesan and any desired nuts or herbs over the top. Serve immediately with a drizzle of extra dressing as desired.

LEMON PARMESAN CHICKEN WITH ARUGULA SALAD TOPPING

Steps:

• Combine the flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper on a dinner plate. On a second plate, beat the eggs with 1 tablespoon of water. On a third plate, combine the bread crumbs, the 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, the lemon zest and thyme, and set aside.
• Pound the chicken breasts between two sheets of parchment paper until they are 1/4 inch thick. You can use either a meat mallet or a rolling pin.
• Coat the chicken breasts on both sides with the prepared flour mixture, then dip both sides into the egg mixture and dredge both sides in the bread-crumb mixture, pressing lightly.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large sauté pan and cook 2 or 3 chicken breasts on medium-low heat for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until cooked through. Add more butter and oil and cook the rest of the chicken breasts.
• Place the arugula in a large bowl. In a 1-cup glass measure, whisk together the 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Pour enough dressing on the arugula to moisten. Toss well.
• Pile some arugula on top of each hot chicken breast. With a very sharp knife or a vegetable peeler, shave the chunk of Parmesan into large shards and arrange them on top of the arugula.

ARUGULA CHICKEN SALAD WITH OLIVES & PECANS ORIGINAL

Steps:

• Preheat a cast-iron grill pan to medium high heat.
• Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Place seasoned chicken on the grill pan and cook 3-4 minutes. Flip and cook until the juices run clear.
• Set aside to cool slightly, then slice the chicken into 1/4 inch thick strips.
• Prepare the salad and salad dressing. In a small bowl, whisk the balsamic vinegar with the oil (reserving 1 tsp. for later) and mustard to emulsify. Season with salt and pepper.
• Place the arugula in a medium bowl and drizzle with 1 tsp. oil. Gently massage to coat the leaves, then sprinkle with a small amount of sea salt. Toss in the shredded carrots and olives. Top with chicken and drizzle with dressing and chopped pecans.

PARMESAN-CRUSTED CHICKEN WITH ARUGULA SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 475 degrees.
• In a small bowl, whisk 2 teaspoons of the mustard with 2 teaspoons of the olive oil and the thyme.
• Season the chicken breasts, on both sides, with salt and pepper - then brush them all over with the mustard mixture.
• Pat about 2 T. of the parmesan on EACH chicken breast (both sides) - it should take about 1/2 Cup total for all 4 breasts.
• Transfer the chicken breasts to a rimmed baking sheet (I line mine with alum. foil sprayed with just a touch of Pam - for easy release and clean-up).
• Bake the chicken on the top shelf of the oven for about 15 minutes, or until just cooked through and nicely browned.
• Meanwhile, in a salad bowl, combine the remaining 1 teaspoon each of mustard and oil; then stir in the water.
• Add the arugula (or spring mix lettuce) and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper and toss well.
• Spoon the salad onto plates, top with the chicken and serve!

GRILLED CHICKEN, PEACH, AND ARUGULA SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Whisk 1/4 cup olive oil, balsamic vinegar, shallot, Dijon mustard, and 1/2 teaspoon salt together in a bowl until dressing is well mixed.
• Brush 1 teaspoon oil onto cut-side of peaches.
• Place peaches, cut-side down, onto grill and cook until heated through, about 4 minutes. Transfer peaches to a plate.
• Brush remaining oil onto both sides of chicken breasts and season with salt.
• Cook chicken on grill until no longer pink in the center, about 4 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Slice chicken into thin pieces and cut peaches into 1/2-inch thick pieces.
• Toss arugula and dressing together in a bowl. Divide dressed arugula among plates; top with peaches and chicken.