Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad With Fig Vinaigrette Recipes

TGIFRIDAY'S PECAN-CRUSTED CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Make the pecan-crusted chicken first since it is served cold.
• Pound each chicken fillet to about 1/2-inch thick. You can do this easily by covering each chicken breast in plastic wrap, and pounding with a kitchen mallet.
• Combine 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans, corn flake crumbs, and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a shallow bowl.
• Combine milk with beaten eggs in another shallow bowl.
• Dump the flour into another shallow bowl.
• Bread each chicken breast by coating each with flour.
• Dip the flour-dusted chicken into the egg mixture.
• Coat the chicken with a thick coating of the pecans and corn flake crumbs.
• Preheat 1/2 cup canola oil in a large skillet over medium/low heat.
• When the oil is hot, saute the chicken fillets for 3-4 minutes per side or until golden brown.
• Cool chicken on a rack or paper-towels.
• When you can handle the chicken, cover it and refrigerate it for at least two hours.
• As the chicken chills, you can make the balsamic vinaigrette by combining 1 cup canola oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard, granulated sugar and 1/2 tsp salt in a blender.
• Blend on low speed for just a few seconds, or until the dressing begins to thicken. Don't blend too long or your vinaigrette will get too thick, like mayonnaise.
• Pour vinaigrette into a small bowl and mix in minced garlic.
• Chill this until you're ready to use it.
• When you're ready to build your salad, toss lettuce and celery with about 3/4 cup of the balsamic vinaigrette.
• Arrange the lettuce on four plates, then sprinkle the cranberries over the lettuce (about 1/4 cup per serving).
• Combine the 3 tablespoons of brown sugar with 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans.
• Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the mixture on each salad.
• Sprinkle about 1/2 can of drained mandarin orange segments over each salad, followed by about 2 tablespoons of crumbled bleu cheese.
• Slice each chicken fillet into thin strips. Arrange one sliced chicken fillet on top of each salad and serve.

PECAN CRUSTED CHICKEN TENDERS AND SALAD WITH TANGY MAPLE DRESSING

Steps:

• Heat 1 1/2 to 2 inches of oil over medium high heat. Season chicken tenders with salt and pepper. Set out 3 shallow dishes. Place flour in 1 dish, eggs beaten with water or milk in a second. In the third dish, combine bread crumbs with ground pecans, nutmeg and orange zest. Coat tenders in batches in flour, then egg, then bread crumb mixture. Fry tenders in small batches 6 to 7 minutes. Drain tenders on paper towels.
• Combine maple syrup, barbecue sauce and orange juice in a bowl. Whisk in oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Combine romaine, radishes and scallions in a large salad bowl or on a serving platter. Toss with 3/4 of the dressing. Season with salt and pepper, to your taste. Top salad with pecan crusted chicken tenders and drizzle remaining dressing over top.
• Beverage suggestion: serve cran-raspberry apple juice over ice and top with a splash of soda water.

PECAN CRUSTED CHICKEN OVER FIELD GREENS WITH CARAMEL CITRUS VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• For the chicken:
• Preheat heat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place chicken and lowfat buttermilk into a plastic bag and allow to sit for 15 minutes up to overnight.
• While chicken is marinating combine pecans with spices and mix well. Place mixture into a shallow dish. Remove chicken and allow excess buttermilk to drain. Coat both sides of the chicken pieces with the pecan/spice mixture.
• Heat a medium, 10-inch oven-proof saute pan on the stove. Using 1/2 teaspoon oil per piece, sear chicken for 1 minute on each side and then place entire pan into oven (if you do not have an oven proof saute pan simply transfer chicken to a baking sheet and proceed) for 10 to 15 minutes. When done and slightly cooled, slice. Note: chicken can be done a day ahead of time. Leftover chicken makes a great chicken salad.
• For the greens:
• Cut, wash and spin greens. Toss greens with tomatoes and carrot, set aside.
• For the vinaigrette:
• Combine the caramel sauce with water and citrus juices and whisk. While whisking, drizzle in olive oil, lime zest, if using, and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• To Assemble:
• Place greens in a bowl and lightly toss with 1/2 of the dressing. Mound on 4 plates and top with chicken and remaining dressing. ENJOY!