Great for lunch or dinner, you cannot go wrong with a large salad. Especially when you pack it with some great proteins, a little crunch, and some zesty cheese. This is my favorite combination of ingredients for a dinner salad. Not only is it colorful but it is packed with flavor and a variety of textures from silky avocado to crispy carrots.

©EverydayCookingAdventures 2014

I recommend making your own croutons with some leftover bread in your house, Click the link for that recipe: Homemade Croutons in Minutes. But, if you don’t have the necessary bread in your house just throw in the pre-bagged variety. Feel free to substitute your own favorite cheese and nuts and enjoy! Here’s my chef’s salad:

Everyday Cooking Adventures’ Chef’s Salad©EverydayCookingAdventures 2014

Chef’s Salad with Poached Chicken

Recipe by: Everyday Cooking Adventures, 2014

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast or 2-3 chicken tenders
• Green leaf or romaine salad greens
• 1 carrot, sliced 1/4″
• 6-8 cherry tomatoes
• 2 Tbsp. blue cheese (or cheddar if preferred)
• Handful of pecans (or walnuts if preferred)
• 1 avocado, peeled and sliced lengthwise into strips
• Handful croutons (Click link for Homemade Croutons recipe)
• Fresh ground black pepper
• Salad dressing of choice

Directions:
1. Place chicken in a small to medium saucepan. Pour water in to just cover the chicken. Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and let simmer, covered, for 18 minutes (14 minutes if using tenders).
2. Pour out the cooking liquid and place chicken on a cutting board. Slice against the grain or shred using two forks. Set chicken to cool in the refrigerator while preparing the rest of the salad.
3. Divide lettuce between plates. In rows, place on top the carrots, tomatoes, cheese, nuts, and avocado. Place cooled chicken in a row on top of the lettuce. Place croutons on top or at both ends of the plate. Top with fresh ground black pepper and serve alongside dressing of choice.