ASPARAGUS AND CHICKEN SALAD WITH BUTTERMILK DRESSING

Asparagus and Chicken Salad with Buttermilk Dressing image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 35m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 19

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1/4 cup fresh parsley
1/4 cup fresh tarragon
Juice of 1 lemon
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Kosher salt
1/4 cup sliced almonds
2 bunches thick asparagus, bottom half peeled and ends trimmed, cut into 2-inch pieces
2 heads Bibb lettuce, roughly chopped
1 large bunch watercress, tough stems trimmed
6 radishes, thinly sliced
8 ounces skinless, boneless smoked chicken, diced
4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup fresh parsley
Freshly ground pepper

Steps:

Make the dressing: Pulse the parsley, tarragon, lemon juice and mustard in a mini food processor to make a coarse paste. Add the buttermilk, mayonnaise and olive oil; pulse until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Make the salad: Prepare a large bowl of salted ice water. Toast the almonds in a small dry skillet over low heat, about 4 minutes; transfer to a plate and let cool. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus and cook until just tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to the ice water; let cool. Drain again and pat dry; transfer to a large bowl.
Add the lettuce, watercress, radishes, chicken, goat cheese, parsley and half of the toasted almonds to the bowl. Drizzle with about half of the dressing and season with salt and pepper; toss. Sprinkle with the remaining toasted almonds and serve with the remaining dressing.