Divine Italian Chicken Salad Food

ITALIAN CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until al dente, according to the package directions. Drain in a colander, rinse with cold water and shake until very dry. Transfer the pasta to a large mixing bowl, drizzle 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over it and toss well to coat.
• Add the chicken, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, peppers, salami, onions and parsley. Season with salt and toss well to combine.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar and remaining 1/2 cup olive oil; pour it over the salad and toss well. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. For best flavor, let the salad stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.

ITALIAN CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, place in a large bowl, and set aside.
• To a medium bowl or large measuring cup, add 2 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice (zest the lemon before juicing it), apple cider vinegar, honey, Italian seasoning, lemon lest, salt, pepper, and whisk to combine; set sauce aside.
• To a large skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, add chicken and season with salt and pepper to taste, and cook over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, flipping intermittently so all sides cook evenly. Cooking time will vary based on thickness of chicken breasts and sizes of pieces. Chicken should be about 90% cooked through.
• Add the sauce and allow it to bubble at a medium-fast boil for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until sauce has reduced some and chicken is cooked through. Stir sauce and flip chicken intermittently throughout. Add chicken and any cooking liquid to the pasta bowl.
• Add the tomatoes, basil, cucumber, cheese, and toss gently to combine. Taste and check for seasoning balance, making any necessary adjustments (more Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, pinch of cayenne, splash of lemon juice, etc.) before serving.

ITALIAN CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Make croutons:
• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 400°F.
• Toss bread cubes with oil and salt in a large shallow baking pan and spread in 1 layer. Bake, turning over once, until golden and crisp, about 8 minutes. Cool in pan on a rack.
• Make vinaigrette and begin preparing salad while croutons bake:
• Whisk together all vinaigrette ingredients except oil in a small bowl until combined. Add oil in a slow stream, whisking until emulsified.
• Toss chicken and bocconcini together with 1/4 cup vinaigrette in a bowl and let stand 10 minutes to allow flavors to develop.
• Make salad:
• Toss together romaine, red peppers, olives, chicken and bocconcini mixture, croutons, and remaining vinaigrette in a large bowl until combined.

CHICKEN DIVINE BAKE

Steps:

• Bring a large saucepan of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook chicken in boiling water until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Remove chicken to a cutting board to cool. Shred cooled chicken into strands.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Steam broccoli in microwave oven until tender-crisp, 4 to 6 minutes or according to package directions.
• Stir mushroom soup and mayonnaise together in a bowl; add broccoli, onion, and mushrooms and stir to coat.
• Spread cooked rice into the bottom of a casserole dish. Top rice with shredded chicken. Spread the mushroom soup mixture over the chicken. Sprinkle Cheddar cheese over everything.
• Bake in preheated oven until slightly browned on top, 35 to 45 minutes.

ITALIAN CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• I use my mini-food processor to chop all of the ingredients except the chicken -- I just give them a few "pulses" per ingredient so they are not pureed in the food processor.
• Mix mayonnaise, and cream cheese together in bowl until creamy. Stir in chicken & remaining ingredients. Chill until ready to serve.
• *Can add more or less of the mayonnaise & cream cheese mixture according to taste/texture desired.
• Note: you can buy the chicken pre-cooked or make it ahead of time. I recommend using all white meat.
• Also, you can substitute the pinoli nuts with chopped almond slivers if budget-conscious.

ITALIAN CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• DRESSING: Combine all dressing ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk.
• SALAD: Combine chicken and remaining ingredients in a large bowl.
• Pour dressing over salad, and toss gently to combine.

CHICKEN CUCUMBER PITAS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first 7 ingredients. In a small bowl, combine the ranch dressing, mayonnaise, Italian dressing, garlic powder and pepper; pour over chicken mixture and toss to coat. Fill each pita half with a scant 1/2 cup chicken mixture.

ITALIAN CHICKEN SALAD IN LETTUCE CUPS

Steps:

• Toss the chicken, bell peppers, onion, parsley, almonds, and capers in a large bowl with enough vinaigrette to moisten. Season the chicken salad with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Arrange 1 large lettuce cup and 1 small lettuce cup on each plate, overlapping slightly. Spoon the chicken salad into the lettuce cups. Drizzle more vinaigrette over the salads. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and serve.
• Do-Ahead Tip: The chicken salad can be prepared 4 hours ahead and refrigerated. Just before serving, spoon the salad into the lettuce cups.
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 2 teaspoons salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup olive oil
• Combine the vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a blender. With the machine running, gradually add the oil and blend until emulsified.
• Yield: 1 3/4 cups

DIVINE ITALIAN CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Sautè the chicken until done. Cut into cubes.
• Prepare vermicelli and vegetables per package instructions while chicken cooks.
• Mix ingredients in a large bowl, adding dressing, cheese, salt & pepper.
• Drizzle with red wine vinegar.
• Serve in salad bowls. Refrigerate remainder-it's even better the next day, and keeps well for 4-5 days.

CHICKEN DIVINE

Steps:

• Place chicken in a greased 11x7-in. microwave-safe dish; sprinkle with pepper. Cover with waxed paper. Microwave on high for 4-6 minutes or until juices run clear. , In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the broccoli, carrots and water. Cover and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain. Spoon over chicken. , In a small bowl, combine the spaghetti sauce, sherry and nutmeg; pour over chicken and vegetables. Cover and cook on high for 2-3 minutes or until heated through. Serve with noodles.

CHICKEN DIVINE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Cook broccoli slightly in microwave or saucepan with water, drain.
• Line bottom of baking dish sprayed with cooking spray with broccoli and place chicken on top.
• In mixing bowl combine mayo, lemon juice, soup and curry powder. Mix well and spread over chicken.
• Top with cheese and bread crumbs and bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool 10 minutes before surving.