Spinach Chicken Salad

Leggy Peggy's Note:

We love salads and are always looking for new ways to combine interesting ingredients. People have very personal preferences for dressings, so you can use the one noted here, or any dressing you prefer. Created for RSC #11.

• Total Time: 15 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

Salad

• 7 -8 ounces smoked chicken , in 3/8-inch dice
• 1 teaspoon brandy (optional)
• 4 ounces baby spinach
• 4 ounces baby romaine lettuce , torn in bite-size pieces
• 1⁄3; cup asiago cheese (grated or shaved)
• 2 hard-boiled eggs , cut in wedges (in about 6ths)
• 1 large shallot , chopped
• ¼ cup pine nuts , toasted
• ½ cup artichoke heart , chopped finely (no woody bits)

Dressing (or use one you prefer)

• 1 tablespoon key lime juice
• 3 tablespoons olive oil

Directions:

1. Rub the brandy (if used) into the diced chicken and set aside while you prepare the remaining salad ingredients.
2. Combine all the salad ingredients in a large bowl.
3. Pour over the dressing you prefer and toss well to coat.

Reviews

[RonaNZ]

I've been waiting to this Hidden Gem from RSC#11 to be reviewed. I've had this salad and variations of it four times now. First as written (couldn't taste the brandy but that didn't bother me), second with a soft boiled egg per serving, third with cottage cheese and I can't remember what I did to the last one. Love the combination of spinach and cos. Simple, tasty, filling and it's easy to have the ingredients on hand. I quite often buy the whole smoked chicken breast to have it available for making easy lunches. They keep a lot better than cut meat from the deli counter.

[Sydney Mike]

Made this particularly for my other half since he's the one who like artichokes! I did opt not to include the brandy since, nowadays I only use liquor in recipes that allow the alcohol to be burned off during cooking, so . . . Must admit that I enjoyed the salad, too, as I thought the flavor of any artichokes was pretty much nicely overtaken by the other flavors ~ All to the good, in my book! [Made & reviewed in Make My Recipe tag]

[Sue Lau]

This was really good, and I made this with the recommended dressing (nice vinaigrette made with lime juice) that went very well with the spinach. The texture of the artichoke was interesting being so finely chopped. Refreshing and healthy! Thanks for posting!!! ~Sue