EARL'S SANTA FE CHICKEN SALAD WITH PEANUT LIME VINAIGRETTE

By jarren

Ingredients

• CAJUN CHICKEN:
• 2 whole chicken breasts cut in half
• Vegetable oil
• Favorite chili powder
• PEANUT LIME VINAIGRETTE:
• 1/4 cup each: fresh peanuts, vegetable or peanut oil and fresh lime juice (2 limes)
• 1/2 tbsp peanut butter
• 1 tsp each sugar and soy sauce
• 1 small clove garlic, pressed or finely chapped
• 2 tbsp lime zest (2 limes)
• SALAD:
• 1 cup fresh dates, chopped into 1/4" pieces
• 2 small corn tortillas*
• Vegetable oil for deep frying
• 7-8 cups each mixed greens and chopped Romain lettuce
• 1 cob corn (or 3/4 cup corn kernels)
• Vegetable oil
• 14 oz. can (398 ml) black beans, well rinsed and well drained
• 1 avocado
• 3/4 cup feta cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts

Preparation

Step 1

CAJUN CHICKEN:

Rub chicken breasts all over with vegetable oil; sprinkle chili powder liberally on both sides. Grill over medium-high heat or broil until done. Set aside. Slice diagonally into 1/4" wide slices.

PEANUT LIME VINAIGRETTE:

Process ingredients in a small food processor until almost smooth. There should be tiny chunks of peanut and lime.

SALAD:

Up to one day ahead:

Prepare deep fried tortilla pieces: slice tortillas into pieces 1/8" wide and 1" long. Heat oil in a small pot or skillet to 375 degrees. Drop tortilla pieces in batches; drain on paper towel; sprinkle on salt (ma be kept loosely covered at room temperature for 1 day)(coarsely crushed tortilla chips or purchased deep fried chow mein noodle may be substituted)
2)grill corn: rub corn with vegetable oil; place over medium-high grill. Cook, rotating until lightly brown tinged. Remove kernels. (May be chilled until using.)

To assemble salad, place lettuces in a large bowl. Toss with enough dressing to lightly coat. Add corn, dates and black beans and half the feta cheese and tortilla pieces into lettuce; gently toss. Divide lettuce mixture between 4 dinner plates. Thinly slice avocado and divide between 4 plates, placing on the side. Top each salad with crumbled feta cheese feta cheese, tortilla pieces, chicken pieces and chopped peanuts, if desired.