Chicken Salad with Roasted Bell Peppers and Toasted Almonds

Now here’s a twist on a summer chicken salad. This one is inspired by the flavors of Spain, with roasted bell peppers, toasted almonds, garlic and parsley. Chicken breasts are first gently poached in chicken stock, to help the chicken hold on to flavor. (You can easily re-use the stock for another recipe, just boil it down for ten minutes before chilling.) Serve with lettuce, on bread for a sandwich, or just as a side. Great for a summer potluck or picnic. Enjoy!

Chicken Salad with Roasted Bell Peppers and Toasted Almonds Recipe

• Cook time: 40 minutes
• Yield: Serves 6.

Ingredients

• 4 skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds total)
• 4 bay leaves
• 1 quart chicken stock
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 cup unsalted, toasted almonds, finely chopped
• 1/2 large red onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup parsley, chopped
• 1 8-ounce jar roasted red peppers (or one or two large red peppers, roasted, blackened skin removed, stems and seeds removed)
• 3 Tbsp sherry vinegar (can sub apple cider vinegar)
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method

1 Put the bay leaves and the chicken stock in a pot with a lid and bring the stock to a simmer. Add the chicken breasts to the pot. Return the stock to a simmer. Cover the pot. Turn off the heat. Let the chicken steep in the stock for 30 minutes to an hour.
2 While the chicken is cooking, chop the other ingredients—garlic, almonds, onion, parsley, roasted red bell peppers—and add to a large bowl. Sprinkle a little salt over the mixture and add the oil and vinegar. Toss to combine.
3 When the chicken breasts are cooked, remove them from the stock (which you can reuse if you bring it to a boil again) and let them cool. When they are cool enough to handle, shred the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces by hand. Mix the chicken pieces in with the rest of the ingredients and served chilled or at room temperature.