Romaine Salad with Chicken, Cheddar, Apple, and Spiced Pecans Recipe

Store-bought spiced pecans taste fine in this salad, but if you have a few extra minutes you can make your own.

Making the Minutes Count

While the chicken cooks, make the vinaigrette.

Romaine Salad with Chicken Cheddar Apple – Brown Chicken

Pat chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add chicken and cook until browned on one side, about 3 minutes.

Poach Chicken & Prepare Vinaigrette

Flip chicken over, add water, and cover. Reduce heat to medium and continue to cook until thickest part of chicken registers 160 degrees on instant read thermometer, 5 to 7 minutes longer. Transfer to carving board and cool slightly. (While chicken cooks, make vinaigrette).

Dress & Assemble Romaine Salad with Chicken Cheddar Apple

Toss lettuce, cheddar, apple, pecans, onion, and dried cranberries with ¾ cup of vinaigrette. Divide salad among individual plates. Slice chicken on bias following illustrations on page 26, and arrange over greens. Spoon remaining vinaigrette over chicken, or pass separately.

Romaine Salad with Chicken, Cheddar, Apple, and Spiced Pecans Ingredients

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and ground black pepper tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup water
Dried Cranberry Vinaigrette
1 large head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces (IO cups)
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 Granny Smith apple, cored and sliced thin
1 cup store-bought spiced pecans
1/2 red onion, sliced thin
1/4 cup dried cranberries

Quick Homemade Croutons

Nearly any type of bread will make good croutons. Be careful, however, when using distinctly flavored breads such as pumpernickel, rye, and sourdough their strong flavors might not work well in the variations. Leftovers will keep in an airtight container or zipper-lock bag for about one week.

Quick Homemade Croutons Recipe for Romaine Salad with Chicken Cheddar Apple

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk oil and ¼ teaspoon salt together in large bowl. Add bread cubes and toss until thoroughly coated.Spread bread onto baking sheet and bake until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool before adding to salad.

Quick Homemade Croutons Recipe Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil salt
4 cups (1/2 inch) fresh bread cubes