LEMON CHICKEN SALAD WITH CRUNCHY CROUTONS

Lemon chicken salad with crunchy croutons image

A versatile and substantial main-meal salad - serve it just warm. A lovely summer lunch, or take along to a picnic

Provided by Silvana Franco

Categories Dinner, Lunch, Main course, Snack, Supper

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

4 boneless chicken breast fillets
juice and grated zest of 1 lemon (keep separate)
2 tbsp chopped rosemary
1 small focaccia loaf
2 tbsp grated pecorino or parmesan
1 tbsp olive oil
4 Little Gem lettuce hearts, separated
2 ripe avocados , halved, stoned and sliced
6 roasted peppers (from a jar), drained and roughly chopped
small bunch chives , snipped

Steps:

Heat oven to 200c/fan 180c/gas 6. Sit the chicken breasts snugly in a small roasting tin, then drizzle over half of the lemon juice. Sprinkle over the lemon zest, rosemary and some salt and pepper. Roast for 20 mins until golden brown and cooked through.
Meanwhile, cut the focaccia into bite-size cubes and spread out on a baking sheet. Sprinkle over the cheese and bake for 15 mins, turning occasionally until crunchy and golden.
Lift out the chicken and thickly slice. Stir the remaining lemon juice and the olive oil into the tin, scraping up any nice brown bits from the bottom. Place the chicken in a very large serving bowl with the lettuce leaves, avocado, croûtons, peppers and chives. Add the lemony juices, toss well together, then serve just warm.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 695 calories, Fat 39 grams fat, SaturatedFat 6 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 41 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 9 grams sugar, Fiber 6 grams fiber, Protein 45 grams protein, Sodium 2.99 milligram of sodium