Best Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad With Fig Vinaigrette Recipes

O'CHARLEY'S PECAN CHICKEN TENDER SALAD RECIPE

Steps:

• Heat one inch of oil over medium heat.
• Season chicken tenders with salt and pepper.
• Set out three dishes. In the first dish, place the flour. In the second, eggs beaten with milk. In the third dish, combine bread crumbs, ground pecans, nutmeg and orange juice.
• Coat tenders in flour, then egg, then pecan mixture.
• Place tenders on a plate to reserve for frying. Fry in batches 3 to 3 1/2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Stir together honey salt, then add pecans, tossing to coat well.
• Spread pecans in one layer in a shallow baking pan.
• Bake for 15 minutes. Then stir pecans and bake for 3 - 5 minutes more.
• Working quickly, transfer to wax paper sheet to cool. While the pecans are still warm separate them with a fork. Once they are cool, chop pecans if desired.
• In separate bowls mix together all ingredients except tenders and dressing.
• For every serving toss together 2 1/2 cups of lettuce, 2 teaspoons crumbled bleu cheese, 2 teaspoons dried cranberries, 2 1/2 tablespoons chopped honey roasted pecans and two mandarin orange slices cut in half.
• Place tenders on top of salad.
• Drizzle dressing on salads at the table.

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.