Cornmeal Crusted Chicken Salad Recipes

CORNMEAL-CRUSTED CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°F. Set out 3 shallow bowls: Put 1/2 cup flour in the first, egg and egg white in the second and cornmeal and the remaining 1/4 cup flour in the third. Season flour and cornmeal bowls with 1 tsp each of cumin, salt and sugar and a few grinds of black pepper. Stir each bowl to blend ingredients. Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil; coat foil with cooking spray. Dust each chicken strip with flour mixture, then dip in egg, dredge in cornmeal mixture and place on sheet. Bake 12 to 14 minutes, turning once halfway through, until chicken is cooked and crust is golden brown. Cut avocado into thin wedges. Whisk dressing ingredients in a bowl big enough to accommodate greens; toss greens in dressing and divide among 4 plates. Top greens with chicken, avocado, peppers and goat cheese.

CRUNCHY CORNMEAL CHICKEN WITH MANGO-PEACH SALSA

Steps:

• In shallow dish, mix cornmeal, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pepper. Coat chicken with cornmeal mixture.
• In 10-inch skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Cook chicken in oil 15 to 20 minutes, turning once, until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (at least 165°F).
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, mix all salsa ingredients. Serve chicken with salsa.

CORNMEAL CRUSTED CHICKEN LEGS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400F (200C).
• Combine the cornmeal, breadcrumbs (or crushed cornflakes)cayenne, salt and pepper in a shallow sided dish.
• Brush the chicken all over wth the mustard.
• Place the chicken in the crust mixture and pat the mixture onto the chicken to coat it on all sides.
• Set on a baking sheet skin side down and bake for 20 minutes.
• Turn the pieces over and bake for 15 minutes more.
• Drizzle the top of the chicken with honey and bake for 10-15 more, or until cooked through.
• *For a calorie reduced version of this dish, remove the skin from the chicken before coating.
• ** I made this tonight using boneless, skinless chicken breasts, it was really tasty -- just decrease the cooking time.

CAJUN CORNMEAL CRUSTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven 350 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl, whisk 1/2 cup of the flour with the cornmeal, Cajun spice, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Put the remaining 1 cup flour, buttermilk, and the cornmeal mixture respectively in 3 shallow dishes. Season the buttermilk with hot sauce, to taste.
• With the flat side of a cook's knife or the smooth side of a meat-pounder, pound each breast to equal thickness. Pat the chicken breasts dry and season with salt.
• Lightly coat each breast in flour and shake off any excess. Dip each breast into the buttermilk to coat and remove, shaking slightly so the excess buttermilk drains back into the bowl. Dredge the chicken in the cornmeal mixture, shaking off any excess coating. Lay the chicken on a piece of waxed paper.
• Heat a large (12-inch) cast iron skillet over medium heat with about 1/2 inch of oil. Lay 2 chicken breasts smooth-side down in the pan and cook until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and cook 3 to 4 minutes more. Drain chicken on a paper towel. Repeat with remaining chicken.
• Place all chicken breasts on a rack over a baking sheet and bake until firm to the touch, 6 to 8 minutes. Season with salt, and serve immediately with mustard mayonnaise or sliced tomatoes.

CORNMEAL-CRUSTED CHICKEN CUTLETS WITH ZUCCHINI RIBBON SALAD

Steps:

• Trim tops off zucchini. Using a mandoline or vegetable peeler, thinly slice lengthwise into wide ribbons; set aside.
• Whisk cornmeal, garlic powder, black pepper, paprika, and 1 tsp. salt in a wide shallow bowl. Whisk eggs, 1 Tbsp. mustard, and 2 Tbsp. water in another wide shallow bowl.
• Season cutlets on both sides with 1/2 tsp. salt. Dip each in egg mixture, letting excess drip back into bowl, then in cornmeal mixture, shaking off excess.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Working in 2 batches and adding more oil if needed, cook cutlets, shaking pan occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper-towel lined plate.
• Meanwhile, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, red pepper, and remaining 1 tsp. mustard and 1/8 tsp. salt in a large bowl. Add reserved zucchini ribbons and toss gently with your hands until ribbons are evenly coated with dressing. Add mint, cashews, and ricotta salata and toss just to combine.
• Transfer cutlets to a platter. Serve with zucchini salad alongside.

CORNMEAL-CRUSTED OVEN-FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a large bowl whisk, together buttermilk, lemon zest, lemon juice, oil, shallots, thyme, 1 tsp of the salt, and 1 tsp of the cayenne, add the chicken, stirring to coat it with the marinade, and let it marinate, covered and chilled, stirring occasionally for 3 hours or overnight. (I put everything in a large zip lock bag.).
• Preheat the oven to 425°F.
• In a separate bowl, make the egg wash by mixing together the eggs, water and 1 tbl lemon juice.
• In another large bowl combine the cornmeal, bread crumbs, Parmesan, parsley, remaining 1 tsp salt, paprika and the remaining 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper. (I put everything in a large zip lock bag, and coat the pieces two at a time.).
• Remove the chicken from the marinade with a slotted spoon, letting the excess marinade drip off, dip it in the egg wash, and dredge it in the cornmeal mixture, shaking off the excess.
• Arrange the chicken in a one layer onto a rack and let it dry for 30 minutes.
• (The chicken may be prepared up to this point 6 hours in advance and kept covered loosely and chilled.).
• Arrange the chicken, skin side up, in one layer in a lightly oiled jelly-roll pan, drizzling the butter over it, and bake it in the middle of the oven for 35-45 minutes, or until it is done and crisp.