California Chicken Salad

[kirra]

California Chicken Salad

Think of it as an adult happy meal: This hearty bowl provides a healthy dose of mood-improving B vitamins.

Ingredients:

Dressing:

6 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 tablespoon rice wine (or apple cider) vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt

Salad:

3 boneless, skinless whole chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon sweet chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Vegetable oil cooking spray
1 teaspoon olive oil
3 ears of corn, husked
1/2 pound asparagus stalks (about 10), ends trimmed, cut into thirds
3 plum tomatoes, diced
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons pine nuts
3 slices turkey bacon, cooked as directed on package, chopped

Preparation:

Combine all dressing ingredients in a blender. Sprinkle chicken with garlic and chili powders, salt and pepper. Coat a large skillet with cooking spray. Heat skillet over high heat and add oil. When oil is hot, add chicken. Reduce heat to medium-high and cook for 6 minutes per side, turning halfway through. Reduce heat to low and cover. Cook until chicken is no longer pink inside, 2 to 3 minutes.

Cool chicken and slice thinly. Boil corn in a medium saucepan 5 minutes; cool, then cut kernels off cob; place in a bowl. Steam asparagus in 1 inch boiling water 3 minutes; drain and cool 1 minute. Add to bowl along with remaining vegetables. Heat a dry pan over medium heat. Add pine nuts. Cook, stirring often, until toasted, about 6 minutes. Place salad on a platter; top with chicken, bacon, pine nuts and dressing. Makes 4 servings