Description
A bright and elegant salad featuring tender poached chicken, chewy sun-dried tomatoes, and a creamy lemony dressing, perfect for lunch or a light supper.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 4 cups mixed baby greens (arugula, frisée, butter lettuce)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (preferably olive oil-based)
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt (full-fat)
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 3 ounces sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
- 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts or chopped walnuts
- 1 small shallot, very thinly sliced
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
- If poaching, simmer chicken breasts in salted water with a halved onion and a bay leaf until cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C). Drain, rest 5 minutes, then shred while warm.
- Toast pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden, about 2–3 minutes, then transfer to a plate. In the same skillet, soften shallot in olive oil until translucent.
- In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon, minced garlic, and olive oil until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to achieve a silky consistency.
- In a large bowl, fold warm chicken with sun-dried tomatoes, basil, parsley, and shallot. Pour dressing over and toss until well-coated.
- If needed, add a tablespoon of reserved poaching liquid or olive oil to loosen the salad.
- Serve on chilled plates, garnishing with toasted pine nuts and lemon zest. Optional: serve as an open-faced sandwich on toasted sourdough.
Notes
Serve on chilled plates for contrast. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days, storing dressing separately for crisper greens.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Poaching and Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg