Tuesday, October 21, 2014

“Crunchy Autumn Chicken Salad” & A Glass Of Wine For "Wordless Tuesday"


Welcome to “Wordless Tuesday!” Today I have a mouthwatering recipe which I know you will love, perfect for the season, also some info on how to pair chicken with wine.…….. Enjoy!
 

Salad is a refreshing, vitamin-rich option used all year round, but the cooler months give us an excuse to top our lettuce with seasonal produce like apples and oranges, as well as ingredients like cheese, nuts, and meat. This satisfying recipe brings out the fruit, chicken, and vegetable fan in all of us. This dish is both tender and crunchy, which is very fulfilling.



                                          "Crunchy Autumn Chicken Salad”

Recipe Serves: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20-30 minutes
(Photo Courtesy of Knorr)


Ingredients:
1 package Knorr French Onion recipe mix
1/2 cup plain dry bread crumbs
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 1 lb)
1/3 cup Mayonnaise
2 medium zucchini, sliced
8 cups mixed salad greens
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1 large Granny Smith apple, cored and thinly sliced
1/2 cup walnuts, lightly toasted
1/2 cup dried cranberries
Raspberry & Walnut Vinaigrette

Directions: 
Preheat oven to 425°F  Combine Knorr French Onion recipe mix with bread crumbs in a shallow bowl and set aside. Coat chicken with Mayonnaise, then with bread crumb mixture. Arrange chicken on a baking sheet, and then arrange zucchini around chicken. Bake, turning zucchini once, until chicken is cooked, about 20-30 minutes. Cool chicken slightly, and then slice. Arrange salad greens on serving platter. Top with chicken and zucchini, then remaining ingredients. Drizzle with a Raspberry & Walnut Vinaigrette. It has the flavors of nuts, fruits, and a perfect choice for this dish. 

"Don’t be chicken to pair wine with your chicken." Chicken lends itself to many different types of sauces and spices, which means that many different types of wines pair well depending on the sauce or spice. Generally speaking, chicken pairs better with white wine because whites don’t overpower the taste of the chicken. But keep the sauce in mind, and be ready to break the rules. If you are making say Chicken Parmesan with a bold tomato sauce, the sauce won’t match with the delicate flavors of a white. You need a hearty red, like a Merlot. Fruity reds go great with spicy sauces and barbecue chicken. If you are making a delicate chicken dish or a chicken Kiev, a nice white would pair nicely. 

Here are a few pairings:

Chardonnay, due to its buttery flavor works best with creamy chicken dishes.
Sauvignon Blanc works well with dishes using green spices like rosemary and thyme or citrus dishes.
Pinot Noir would be great with chicken dishes that are salty.
Riesling and Gewurztraminer, because if there sweetness, work well with spicy chicken dishes.
Merlot is a wine to drink with heavy tomato sauce recipes.

When it comes to pairing wine and chicken it's a bit of a blank slate. Chicken can be paired with any number of wines. Which ones work best really depend upon how the chicken is being prepared. See, there’s no reason to be chicken about wine pairing with chicken. Cin,-Cin!, Cheers, or Salute!




Till Next Time………………………………...................

Copyright © 2014 “Family Plus Food Equals Love” All Rights Reserved
Posted by Dottie at 12:07 AM

10 comments:

  1. ~ Nee ~October 21, 2014 at 5:49 PM

    Afternoon Dottie,
    What a great salad and so different , just hollering eat me . Love the chice of ingredients and what's so nice about salads you can eat them year round .
    I use Knorr soups in lost of recipes , just deliciously good .
    I agrees with you about the wines , spread your wings and go for it and a small glass at dinner is good for the tummy and also heart .
    Have you made homemade raspberry and walnut vingairette
    You are right it depends on how you cook the chicken . Thanks for sharing ... Cin-Chi ! Salute . Have a blessed week / ~Nee~ ;-D

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    1. DottieOctober 21, 2014 at 11:59 PM

      Good evening Nee,
      Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, was a busy day. I had all my carpets cleaned today and was busy moving all of the furniture etc. They came really nice. Wanted to do this before the holidays and decorations start.
      Thanks for your comment and for your visit. Oh let me tell you the flavor this salad has with the chicken is awesome. Yes, it is yelling, "eat me please!" I use the Knorr mixes also at times...I make a meat loaf with Knorr's Vegetable Mix. I just hate all the salt that is in the product. But it does taste good, no matter what you choose to make. Yes, the wines are good, either white or red. It seems the old rule doesn't count that much anymore. Whatever you like to drink is what the in thing is noways. It is good for your heart. No Nee I have never made the raspberry and walnut vinaigrette before, I usually use, Newmans Own or Ken's dressing. They are both really good. Glad that you liked this post and recipe. Enjoy and have a blessed week!
      Dottie :)

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  2. AlidaOctober 22, 2014 at 8:56 AM

    What a yummy salad Dottie! Very tasty indeed. Chicken is a family favourite and combined with fresh salad leaves is just perfect. I often have salad as I find it easier to prepare then cooked vegetables.
    It is getting colder here and I am beginning to cook more meat and heavier food + I am eating more, I guess we all are, we need those extra calories.
    I hope all is well with you. I love visiting your blog and your cheerful and kind comments make my days always better. Thank you Dottie xx

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    1. DottieOctober 22, 2014 at 1:23 PM

      Dear Alida,
      Thanks for stopping over and your comments. I agree it is very tasty. This recipe is easy and the flavors go nice together. It is getting cooler here as well, but I thought this may be a nice lunch or a light supper. I try to cook more hearty meals as well when the weather is colder. Soups, stews, meals that stick to your bones in the colder weather. It has been very mild here on Long Island this past month. I enjoy the cold weather, so I am waiting for it to hit.
      Yes, I am doing ok, thanks for asking...just been busy...had my carpets cleaned yesterday and I was so tired from all the moving of furniture and getting things ready for the men to come. I am headed over to your post now, looks so interesting...Thanks again dear friend, you are so sweet. Have a glorious day...
      Dottie :)

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  3. CatherineOctober 22, 2014 at 3:47 PM

    Sounds like a nice meal dear Dottie. I would enjoy this with the nice glass of wine and perhaps and nice chunk of cheese to go with it. It really would be comfort food. Blessings dear. Catherine

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    1. DottieOctober 22, 2014 at 5:40 PM

      Dear Catherine,
      Thank for your comment, yes I agree a chunk of cheese would be a lovely idea. Love salads and chicken together it is a nice meal for a lunch or a light supper. I usually make warmer things that stick to your bones at this time of the year, but I couldn't resist this dish. Thanks for your visit. Have a blessed day or evening....
      Dottie :)

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  4. Kitchen RiffsOctober 22, 2014 at 5:09 PM

    Chicken works so well in salads, doesn't it? And this is a particularly good looking one -- so flavorful. Although I often pair red wine with chicken, I think for this dish I'd opt for white. Good post -- thanks.

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    1. DottieOctober 22, 2014 at 5:29 PM

      Hi John,
      Thank you for stoping over and your comment. Yes, I agree, chicken goes well with salads. I love it anyway it can be prepared. This dish is easy and very flavorful especially with the apples and nuts which adds to the yumminess of this meal. I usually go with white, but with this info I learned you can have anything you choose. Have a delightful day/night!
      Dottie :)

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  5. ~~louise~~October 22, 2014 at 8:27 PM

    Nice salad, Dottie! I sometimes think I appreicate salads so much more in the cooler months. Not sure why:) I do wish Knorr seasonings didn't have so much sodium in them. I would love to use them more often.

    Your salad looks delightful and as for the wine, whatever I'm in the mood for is what I sip:)

    Thanks for sharing, Dottie...

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    1. DottieOctober 23, 2014 at 12:26 AM

      Hi Louise,
      Thanks for your visit today...I love salads any day of the year...I agree Louise, the sodium content is what I am not fond of. But that is what you get for processed food. But we don't eat this every day so it is a special treat. I also agree the wine to drink with this yummy salad is what ever your heart desires! I don't sip, I gulp!!! haha (HUGS) Thanks again for your comment.
      Have a blessed day! Dottie :)

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