Warm Chicken Salad On Mesclun Lettuce Recipes

GRILLED TANDOORI-SPICED CHICKEN BREASTS OVER MESCLUN SALAD

Steps:

• Make marinade:
• In a blender or small food processor grind onion with garlic, gingerroot, lemon juice, and water to form a paste. In a bowl stir together onion paste and remaining marinade ingredients.
• With a sharp paring knife make three 1/2-inch-deep diagonal cuts in each chicken breast half, being careful not to cut all the way through. Rub chicken with marinade, rubbing it into cuts. In a large resealable plastic bag marinate chicken, chilled, overnight.
• Prepare grill.
• Grill chicken on an oiled rack 5 to 6 inches over glowing coals until cooked through, about 7 minutes on each side, and transfer to a platter. Let chicken stand while preparing salad.
• In a large bowl whisk together vinegar and salt and pepper to taste and add oil in a stream, whisking until emulsified. Add mesclun and toss lightly.
• Slice chicken 1/4 inch thick and serve over salad.

GRILLED CHICKEN WITH SHREDDED MESCLUN SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare chicken and salad:
• Whisk together lime juice, honey, red pepper flakes, and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl and add oil in a slow stream, whisking.
• Transfer chicken to a 1-gallon sealable plastic bag and add 1/3 cup lime vinaigrette, then seal bag. Marinate chicken at room temperature 15 minutes.
• Transfer another 1/3 cup lime vinaigrette to a bowl, stir in tomatoes and shallots, and marinate until chicken is finished cooking. Transfer another 1/3 cup lime vinaigrette to a large bowl and set aside for cooked chicken. Put remaining lime vinaigrette in a small airtight container and reserve for lettuce wraps (recipe follows).
• Remove chicken from bag, discarding marinade, and sprinkle all over with remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt.
• To cook chicken using a charcoal grill:
• Open vents on bottom of grill and on lid. Light a large chimney starter of charcoal briquettes (80 to 100) and pour them evenly over 1 side of bottom rack (you will have a double or triple layer of briquettes).
• When charcoal turns grayish white (after 15 to 20 minutes) and you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack for 3 to 4 seconds, sear chicken breasts, starting with skin sides down, on a lightly oiled rack over coals, uncovered, turning once, until well browned, 5 to 6 minutes total.
• Move browned chicken breasts to side of grill with no coals and cook, covered with lid, turning over occasionally, until just cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes more.
• To cook chicken using a gas grill:
• Preheat all burners on high, covered, 10 minutes, then adjust heat to moderately high.
• Sear chicken on lightly oiled grill rack, covered with lid, turning frequently, until well browned, about 6 minutes total.
• Turn off 1 burner (middle burner if there are 3) and arrange all seared chicken on rack above shut-off burner. Cook seared chicken, covered with lid, turning over once, until just cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Toss grilled chicken with lime vinaigrette:
• Transfer hot grilled chicken to large bowl with lime vinaigrette and turn to coat. Leave in bowl 5 minutes, then transfer to a platter and loosely cover with foil.
• Assemble salad:
• Toss together mesclun, basil, tomato mixture, and salt to taste. Drizzle some lime vinaigrette from bowl over chicken and serve with mesclun salad.