Earls Copycat Santa Fe Chicken Salad Peanut Lime Vinaigrette Recipes

CHICKEN SALAD WITH PEANUT-LIME VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the chicken, tomatoes, celery, and onion. Add the peanut sauce, mayonnaise, and lime juice and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. (At this point, you can refrigerate the salad for up to 3 days.)
• Place the lettuce on 4 individual plates and top with the chicken mixture. Sprinkle the peanuts over the top just before serving.
• In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sauce ingredients until well blended and set the pan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and let simmer for 10 minutes.
• The leftover peanut sauce will keep in the refrigerator up to 4 days or in the freezer up to 3 months; thaw completely in the refrigerator or microwave for about 3 minutes on LOW before using.
• Yield: approximately 3 1/2 cups

SANTA FE CHICKEN SALAD (APPLEBEE'S)

Steps:

• Combine marinade ingredients in a container with lid. Add Chicken and place in refrigerator overnight.
• Combine Pico de Gallo ingredients in a small bowl with lid and place in refrigerator overnight with chicken.
• Remove chicken from marinade and sprinkle with fajita seasoning. Grill skin-side down for about 5 minutes, turn and continue to grill for about 10 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. I use my George Forman grill with fantastic results (about 7 minutes).
• While the chicken is grilling combine ranch dressing with 2 Tablespoons of the Pico de Gallo. Set Aside.
• Prepare Garnishes.
• Toss salad greens with cheese and remaining Pico de Gallo (or less - to taste). Sprinkle with fried tortilla strips or lightly crushed tortilla chips.
• Cut chicken into strips and place on top of greens. Add Garnishes to plate.

THE ULTIMATE CHICKEN POT PIE

Steps:

• 1. Heat the oven to 400°F. Unfold the pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Roll the pastry sheet into a 12-inch square. Press the pastry into a 2-quart round casserole. Trim the excess pastry. Prick the pastry thoroughly with a fork. Place aluminum foil onto the surface of the pastry.
• 2. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove the aluminum foil.
• 3. Heat the butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the carrots, onions and mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes or until the vegetables are tender-crisp, stirring occasionally. Add the flour and cook and stir for 3 minutes or until the flour is golden brown. Slowly stir in the broth and heat to a boil. Cook and stir until the mixture boils and thickens.
• 4. Stir in the mustard, thyme, black pepper, chicken, peas and 3 tablespoons parsley. Remove the skillet from the heat.
• 5. Unfold the remaining pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Cut the pastry sheet crosswise into 6 (1 1/2-inch thick) strips.
• 6. Spoon the chicken mixture into the casserole. Weave a lattice pattern over the filling with the pastry strips. Trim any excess pastry. Sprinkle with the remaining parsley. Place the casserole onto a baking sheet.
• 7. Bake for 45 minutes or until the filling is hot and bubbling and the pastry is golden brown.

EARL'S COPYCAT SANTA FE CHICKEN SALAD & PEANUT LIME VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• CAJUN CHICKEN: Rub chicken breasts all over with vegetable oil; sprinkle chili powder liberally on both sides. Grill over medium-high heat or broil until done. Set aside. Slice diagonally into 1/4" wide slices. PEANUT LIME VINAIGRETTE: Process ingredients in a small food processor until almost smooth. There should be tiny chunks of peanut and lime. SALAD: Up to one day ahead: prepare deep fried tortilla pieces: slice tortillas into pieces 1/8" wide and 1" long. Heat oil in a small pot or skillet to 375 degrees. Drop tortilla pieces in batches; drain on paper towel; sprinkle on salt (may be kept loosely covered at room temperature for 1 day)(coarsely crushed tortilla chips or purchased deep fried chow mein noodles may be substituted) grill corn: rub corn with vegetable oil; place over medium-high grill. Cook, rotating until lightly brown tinged. Remove kernels. (May be chilled until using.) To assemble salad, place lettuces in a large bowl. Toss with enough dressing to lightly coat. Add corn, dates and black beans and half the feta cheese and tortilla piece into lettuces; gently toss. Divide lettuce mixture between 4 dinner plates. Thinly slice avocado and divide between 4 plates, placing on the side. Top each salad with crumbled feta cheese, tortilla pieces, chicken pieces and chopped peanuts, if desired.