Balsamic Chicken Caesar Salad Recipes

CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Tear 1 medium ciabatta into big, ragged croutons or, if you prefer, cut with a bread knife. Spread over a large baking sheet or tray and sprinkle over 2 tbsp olive oil.
• Rub the oil into the bread and season with a little salt if you like (sea salt crystals are best for this). Bake for 8-10 mins, turning the croutons a few times during cooking so they brown evenly.
• Rub 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts with 1 tbsp olive oil, season. Place pan over a medium heat for 1 min, until hot, but not smoking. Lay the chicken on the pan (it will sizzle if it's hot enough) and leave for 4 mins.
• Turn the chicken, then cook for 4 mins more. Check if it's cooked by poking the tip of a sharp knife into the thickest part; there should be no sign of pink and juices will run clear.
• Bash 1 garlic clove with the flat of a knife and peel off the skin. Crush with a garlic crusher. Mash 2 anchovies with a fork against the side of a small bowl.
• Grate a handful of parmesan cheese and mix with the garlic, anchovies, 5 tbsp mayonnaise and 1 tbsp white wine vinegar. Season to taste. It should be the consistency of yogurt - if yours is thicker, stir in a few tsps water to thin it.
• Shave the cheese with a peeler. Tear 1 large cos or romaine lettuce into large pieces and put in a large bowl. Pull chicken into bite-size strips and scatter half over the leaves, along with half the croutons.
• Add most of the dressing and toss with your fingers. Scatter the rest of the chicken and croutons, then drizzle with the remaining dressing. Sprinkle the parmesan on top and serve straight away.

BALSAMIC CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Whisk together half of the oil (1/4 cup), 2 of the garlic cloves, and salt together in large bowl. Add bread and toss to coat with oil mixture. Transfer to foiled-lined baking sheet. Bake until browned, about 12 minutes, stiring once. Cool completely.
• Combine cheese, mayonnaise, anchovies, vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, remaining oil, and remaining garlic in blender or food processor. Puree until smooth. Season with salt and peper.
• Toss lettuce and croutons with dressing to coat. Serve immediately.

BALSAMIC CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• 1. Put the vinegar and spices into 1 container. Cut the chicken into 2 inch cubes. Place the chicken in the container and mix. Marinate for one hour.
• 2. Add olive oil to the grill pan and turn heat to medium low. After it heats up a little, carefully add the chicken piece by piece and cook for roughly 5-6 minutes on each side until it turns golden and crispy with some "grill marks". You will need to rotate the pieces in the middle to the outside, and the outside to the center to cook them all evenly as they will cook faster in the center. You can check if the chicken is ready by cutting it in half, and making sure its white all the way through.
• 3. Add the cooked chicken to the 2nd container with half a cup of caesar dressing. Cut up the chicken in the container, cover and shake. Let it sit while you assemble your salads. After salads are all put together, top them with the chicken. Serve with a cup of the reserved caesar 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.

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.