Sure! Let’s dive into crafting the delectable Asiago Chicken Salad recipe. This dish promises a burst of flavors and textures, making it an irresistible addition to your culinary repertoire. With a prep time of 4 hours and 30 minutes, including marination, and a quick cook time of just 5 minutes, this recipe yields a total dining experience in just over 4 and a half hours.
π₯ Asiago Chicken Salad Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 3/4 cup asiago cheese, shredded
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 carrot, thinly sliced (optional, can be omitted for a lower carb version)
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 red pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 bunch fresh basil leaves, torn into strips
- 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
- Italian dressing (to taste)
Instructions:
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Preparation: Start by grilling or broiling the chicken breasts until they are cooked through and have a nice char, typically around 4-5 minutes per side depending on the thickness. Once cooked, slice the chicken breasts into thin strips and set aside.
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Mixing the Salad: In a non-metal bowl, combine the sliced grilled chicken, 1/2 cup of shredded asiago cheese, sliced zucchini, carrots (if using), diced tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, sliced red pepper, and torn basil strips.
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Dressing it Up: Pour Italian dressing over the salad mixture, ensuring everything is evenly coated. The dressing adds a tangy and herbaceous flavor profile that complements the other ingredients perfectly.
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Marination: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 4 hours. Marination allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a more vibrant and delicious salad.
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Assembling the Salad: Once the marination is complete, it’s time to assemble the salad. Spread a bed of chopped romaine lettuce on a serving platter or individual plates.
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Garnish and Serve: Arrange the marinated salad mixture over the bed of romaine lettuce. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and sprinkle the remaining shredded asiago cheese over the top for an added burst of flavor and visual appeal.
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Enjoy: Serve the Asiago Chicken Salad immediately and revel in the delightful combination of flavors and textures. Each bite offers a medley of savory chicken, creamy asiago cheese, crisp vegetables, and fragrant basil, all tied together with the tangy Italian dressing.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 479.5
- Fat: 30.8g
- Saturated Fat: 6.6g
- Cholesterol: 92.8mg
- Sodium: 1094.6mg
- Carbohydrates: 18.5g
- Fiber: 5.2g
- Sugar: 10.7g
- Protein: 33.8g
This Asiago Chicken Salad recipe serves 4 generously, making it perfect for a family dinner or a gathering with friends. Whether enjoyed as a light meal on its own or paired with crusty bread or soup, this salad is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and prepare to delight your taste buds with this tantalizing dish!
