Light Taos Chicken Salad Recipes

LIGHT CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Make the croutons: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Toss the bread cubes in a large bowl with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Spread on a baking sheet and bake until crisp, tossing halfway through, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, make the dressing: Puree the yogurt, 2 tablespoons parmesan, the garlic, anchovies, lemon juice, mustard and 2 tablespoons water in a mini food processor or a blender. Pound the chicken between 2 pieces of plastic wrap with a heavy skillet until 1/2 inch thick. Brush a rimmed baking sheet with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil; add the chicken and season with salt. Brush evenly with 1 tablespoon of the dressing and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons parmesan. Broil, undisturbed, until golden and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board. Toss the lettuce, croutons and the remaining dressing and 3/4 cup parmesan in a large bowl. Thinly slice the chicken. Divide the salad among bowls, top with the chicken and season with pepper.
• Photograph by Christopher Testani

GENERAL TAO CHICKEN

Steps:

• Coat the chicken pieces with 1/4 cup of cornstarch; set aside.
• Beat the eggs, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl until smooth. Stir in the flour and baking powder until no large lumps remain. Mix in the chicken until evenly coated.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Drop in the chicken pieces; cook until golden brown and no longer pink on the inside, about 12 minutes. Set the chicken aside; keep warm.
• Reduce the heat to medium-high and stir in the sesame oil, ginger, and green onion. Cook and stir until the onion is limp and the ginger begins to brown, about 1 minute. Pour in the water, vinegar, and sugar; bring to a boil. Dissolve the cornstarch in the soy sauce and add to the simmering vinegar along with the oyster sauce and ketchup. Stir until the sauce has thickened and is no longer cloudy. Stir in the chicken and simmer until hot.

LIGHTER GENERAL TSO'S CHICKEN

Steps:

• Cook rice according to package instructions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, stir together 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1/2 cup cold water until smooth. Add snow peas, garlic, ginger, sugar, soy sauce, and red-pepper flakes; toss to combine, and set aside.
• In another bowl, whisk together egg whites, remaining 3 tablespoons cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add chicken, and toss to coat.
• In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high. Lift half the chicken from egg-white mixture (shaking off excess), and add to skillet. Cook, turning occasionally, until golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate; repeat with remaining oil and chicken, and set aside (reserve skillet).
• Add snow-pea mixture to skillet. Cover; cook until snow peas are tender and sauce has thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Return chicken to skillet (with any juices); toss to coat. Serve with rice.

LIGHT CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Comine mayo and salt.
• Stir in remaining ingredients.
• Chill before serving.

CHICKEN TAOS

Steps:

• Roll the chicken in the combined flour, salt, pepper. Brown in the margarine on both side, till nice and golden.
• Now add in the onions and the garlic and saute till transparent.
• You may now add in the remaining ingredients, bring to a boil. then cover and reduce heat let simmer for about 35 minute or till its cooked.
• Serve chicken and sauce all the way around a platter of rice of pasta.
• Sprinkle parsley over the chicken, and serve with a crispy salad.

LIGHTER CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Bring 1 inch salted water to a boil in a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid. Add chicken, cover, and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer 5 minutes. Off heat, let chicken (still covered) steam until cooked through, 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from skillet; when cool enough, cut into chunks or shred with 2 forks.
• In a medium bowl, stir together mayonnaise, buttermilk, mustard, lemon juice, and hot sauce. Stir in chicken, celery, onion, and parsley; season with salt and pepper. Serve on bread or over greens.

LIGHT LEMON-DIJON CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• In small bowl, beat all dressing ingredients with wire whisk until well blended.
• On individual serving plates, arrange lettuce, chicken, tomatoes and egg. Spoon dressing over top. Sprinkle with onions and cheese.

LIGHT TAOS CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large serving bowl, mix ranch dressing, salsa, and cumin. Add salad greens, chopped chicken strips, tomato, and green onions. Toss to coat with dressing. To serve, arrange tossed salad on serving plate; top with avocado, cheese, and tortilla strips. Editor's Extra: You can buy packaged tortilla strips in the produce section.