Chicken and Almond Salad

The chicken and almond salad is a fresh and tasty dish, ideal for a light lunch or a summer dinner. Here’s how to prepare it:

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 100g of sliced almonds
• A mix of leafy salads (lettuce, rocket, baby spinach, etc.)
• A small bunch of fresh basil
• 10 cherry tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon of mustard
• 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
• 6 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Start by cooking the chicken breasts. You can grill them, steam them or cook them on a hot plate until they are golden and cooked just right. Once ready, let them cool and then slice them into strips.
2. Meanwhile, toast the sliced almonds in a pan without adding oil until they become golden. Be careful not to burn them, so move them often and keep a constant eye on the pan.
3. Wash and dry your salad leaves well, then lay them out in a large bowl.
4. Add the halved cherry tomatoes and the sliced chicken.
5. At the bottom of a small bowl, prepare the dressing to season the salad by mixing the mustard, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste until you get a homogeneous dressing.
6. Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well so that all the ingredients are flavored.
7. Finally, garnish with the toasted almonds and hand-torn fresh basil leaves.

Here is the chicken and almond salad ready! If you want to add an extra Italian touch, you could add some Parmesan flakes or replace the balsamic vinegar with apple cider vinegar for a more delicate and fruity flavor.

Curiosity

Almonds are widely used in Mediterranean cuisine not only for their taste but also for their nutritional benefits. Rich in vitamins, minerals, and unsaturated fatty acids, they add a crunchy and healthy touch to salads.