pecan crusted chicken salad with honey mustard dressing

this salad is fan-tastic. the pecan crusted chicken has tons of flavor and stays really moist. the salad is just romaine lettuce tossed with celery, and the chicken sits atop a layer of thinly sliced fresh apple or pear and is topped with dried cranberries. the fab honey mustard dressing is a perfect complement. this pecan crusted chicken is also great over sundance salad with candied pecans and vinaigrette. we love main dish salads at our house, and this one is a fave. it's restaurant fabulous made easy at home.

pecan crusted chicken salad with honey mustard dressing
an original recipe by rachelle

1 recipe pecan crusted chicken, sliced
1 recipe honey mustard dressing
8 cups romaine lettuce, sliced
1 apple or pear, very thinly sliced
3 stalks celery, very thinly sliced
dried cranberries, for garnish

mix lettuce with celery and place in serving bowls. make a circle with apple slices and place chicken on top. sprinkle a few dried cranberries over the top and drizzle the dressing over all or serve it on the side.

pecan crusted chicken

4 chicken breasts, pounded to an even thickness (1/2")
heaping 1/2 cup pecans
12 saltine crackers
1/4 teaspoon salt
dash pepper
pinch cayenne

1/3 cup milk
2 eggs

combine pecans, crackers, salt, pepper and cayenne in a food processor or blender. process until pecans are finely ground. get out two shallow pans (i like to use pie tins) and put the pecan mixture in one pan. in other pan, combine milk and eggs and mix well with a fork. heat a skillet over medium high heat with about 1/2 inch oil for frying; or preheat oven to 350 degrees.
dip chicken in egg mixture, then coat chicken in pecan mixture, pressing pecans into chicken.
fry coated chicken in hot oil for 3-4 minutes per side; or bake in oven for 30 minutes.

honey mustard salad dressing

1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup dijon mustard
1 clove garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 Tablespoons mayonnaise or oil

chop garlic in food processor. add honey, dijon mustard, salt, pepper, vinegar and mayo. mix well and chill until ready to serve.