Mandarin Chicken Salad

The Mandarin Chicken Salad is a fresh and tasty dish, a deliciously citrusy variant of chicken salad. Here is how to prepare it, with a small Italian twist.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 200 g of mixed greens (such as lettuce, rocket, or baby spinach)
• 2 mandarins
• 1 avocado
• 50 g of walnuts or almonds
• Extra virgin olive oil
• White balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• A few leaves of fresh basil (for an Italian touch)

Preparation

1. Cook the chicken breasts in a pan with a little oil, salt, and pepper. You can either grill or steam them for a lighter version. Once cooked, let them cool and then slice them into strips.
2. In the meantime, wash and dry the salad and place it in a large bowl.
3. Peel and cut the mandarins into segments, adding their juice to the salad to give a more intense flavor.
4. Dice the avocado and add it to the salad along with the walnuts or almonds.
5. Add the sliced chicken breast to the salad.
6. Prepare an emulsion with extra virgin olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper, and dress the salad.
7. Tear a few leaves of fresh basil by hand to keep the aroma intact and add an Italian character to the dish.

Mix everything well and serve the Mandarin Chicken Salad cold or at room temperature.

Curiosity

Chicken salad is a very versatile dish and the mandarin adds a touch of particular freshness and sweetness. In Italy, the use of citrus in salads is quite common, especially in the southern regions where citrus production is abundant and varied. The addition of basil, along with avocado and almonds, provides a nice contrast of flavors and textures.