Freds Chicken Salad With Balsamic Dressing Recipes

FREDS' CHICKEN SALAD WITH BALSAMIC DRESSING

Steps:

• Roast the chicken (if you're using a cooked, store-bought chicken, skip this step): Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place a rack in a roasting pan. Rub 1 tablespoon salt around the inside of the cavity, then stuff it with the thyme, lemon and garlic. Tie the legs closed with cooking twine. Rub olive oil over the entire bird, and sprinkle with 1/2 tablespoon salt and the black pepper. Place on the rack and roast for 72 to 80 minutes. After 72 minutes, begin testing for doneness by inserting a meat thermometer into the leg, close to the bone. The chicken is done when the thermometer reads 165 degrees. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
• When cool enough to handle, remove the skin from the chicken. Use your hands to remove all the meat (remember, it will be hotter internally) and shred into 2-inch strips. If you're not going to make the salad for a few hours, place the meat in the refrigerator, but be sure to remove it and let come to room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes before serving, to bring out the best flavor.
• Make the dressing: Place all the ingredients except the oil in a food processor and pulse for about 30 seconds, until everything is combined. With the machine on low, slowly drizzle in the oil until dressing is emulsified.
• Assemble the salad: Drizzle pears with lemon juice to prevent them from browning. In a large mixing bowl, combine pears, greens, beans, tomatoes, onion, avocado and half the chicken meat. Add some of the dressing and toss to make sure everything is lightly coated, adding more dressing if needed. Divide the mixture equally among 4 or 6 plates. Lay the rest of the chicken on top and serve immediately, passing the remaining dressing in case people want to add more.

BALSAMIC VINEGAR CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oil in large non-stick skillet and cook onion until tender. Stir in garlic and chicken. Cook chicken until golden brown. Stir in the balsamic vinegar and let simmer for 1 minutes. Stir in honey and Dijon and toss to coat. Add pine nuts and season with salt and pepper. Top mixed greens with chicken mixture and fresh grated Parmesan.

FRIED CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Line baking sheet with aluminum foil and place popcorn chicken on baking sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.
• For dressing:
• Mix together ranch dressing and BBQ seasoning in small bowl and set aside.
• For salad:
• Place lettuce in large bowl. Add dressing and toss with tongs until lettuce is coated. Set aside. Cut each tomato into 8 wedges and the cucumber into 16 slices. Divide lettuce onto 4 cold plates. Arrange each salad with 4 tomato wedges, 4 cucumbers, and 4 baby carrots. Top each salad with 1/4 of the chicken pieces.

GORGONZOLA CHICKEN SALAD (FRED MEYER DELI COPYCAT)

Steps:

• Cook the pasta according to the package directions, NOT al dente. You don't want it to be too gummy or too mushy. Drain in a colander and run COLD water over until it's completely cold. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Sprinkle the chicken breasts with lemon pepper. "Grill" the chicken breasts by whatever method you prefer. You may use a panini type grill, a barbecue grill, or simply bake in the oven. Your cooking times will vary based on your method, but just make sure the breasts are fully cooked by reaching an internal temperature of 165 degrees, or when the juices run clear. Allow the chicken pieces to cool until you can handle them. Slice the chicken thinly, then cut slices in half so they are bite-sized. Spread out to cool completely while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
• Pour the dressing ingredients (mayo, oil, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper) into the bowl and whisk until incorporated.
• After the chicken and pasta are completely cooled, add all the remaining ingredients to the bowl and stir gently. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• TIPS: If the salad is too stiff after prolonged refrigeration, you can make it creamy again by stirring in a tiny bit of olive oil, milk or warm water. Gorgonzola cheese is similar to bleu cheese, but slightly milder. It is an acquired taste for some people, so feel free to use more or less to taste. I use MORE! For best results, don't substitute or omit ingredients. I usually try doing things to lower fat or calories, but in this case, the results will NOT be the same.

BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together, chill.
• Enjoy on crescent sandwiches or your favorite type of bread.

GRILLED BALSAMIC-CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• In large resealable food-storage plastic bag, place 1 cup of the dressing and the chicken; turn bag to coat. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes to marinate.
• Heat gas or charcoal grill for medium heat.
• Place chicken on grill; discard marinade. Cover grill; reduce heat to low and cook 7 minutes. Turn chicken; cook 7 to 8 minutes longer or until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (170°F). Cut chicken across grain into thin strips.
• In 7-quart bowl, gently toss chicken, salad greens, strawberries and remaining 3/4 cup dressing. Sprinkle with peanuts.

BALSAMIC CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Combine 1/3 bottle of balsamic vinaigrette dressing with the chicken tenders in a bowl. Toss together sliced mushrooms with 1/3 bottle of dressing in a separate bowl. Reserve the remaining 1/3 bottle. Allow the chicken tenders and mushrooms to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven's broiler, and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source.
• Remove the chicken tenders and mushrooms from the marinade, and drain off the excess. Broil the chicken and mushrooms until the chicken is browned and cooked through, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove the chicken and mushrooms from the heat, and slice the chicken tenders into bite-sized pieces.
• To serve, divide the chopped romaine lettuce between four plates, and top each with broiled chicken and mushrooms. Sprinkle each plate with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and sliced basil leaves; serve with the remaining vinaigrette dressing.

BALSAMIC CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute chicken in 1 tablespoon oil until no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Remove from pan. , In the same skillet, bring vinegar to a boil. Add the chicken, tomatoes, basil, salt, pepper and remaining oil; cook and stir until heated through. Divide salad greens among six plates; top with chicken mixture.