*Chopped Salad w/Garlic Vinaigrette*

This salad was oh so yum.  It was very simple & very FRESH!  You can really prepare the chicken any way you like.  I baked chicken the night before and just cubed the chicken & heated in the microwave before serving.  You can always mix & match different ingredients if you like.  For instance, if you don’t like blue cheese you could use feta.  But … who doesn’t LOVE blue cheese?!?  And, I just split 1 chicken breast between 2 salads since you also have the egg & splash o’ bacon (extra yum).  So, this would make 4 servings.  ENJOY!

Salad Ingredients:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts                                                  

salt and pepper

1 Tbsp. olive oil

8 cups chopped Romaine lettuce

8 slices bacon, cooked and diced

4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled

2 avocados, pitted and diced

2 roma tomatoes, diced

2 boiled eggs, diced

1/4 cup garlic vinaigrette (see recipe below)

1/4 cup chopped green onions

Garlic Herb Vinaigrette:

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard (optional) 

pinch of salt and freshly-cracked black pepper

1 Tbsp. dried Italian seasonings

1 1/2 cups extra virgin olive oil

Season chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper.   Cut chicken into cubes and heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook until chicken is cooked through.  OR, bake your chicken in oven at ~375 for 35-45 minutes depending on the thickness of the chicken.  

Add the diced chicken, lettuce, bacon, blue cheese, avocados, boiled egg and tomatoes to a large bowl, and toss until combined.  OR, make each salad separately aligning the ingredients across the top of the salad and each person can toss themselves (this does make for a prettier presentation).  Personally, I have to do this because Jay O. is the pickiest of eaters & I have to leave certain ingredients off of his :-/  Drizzle or toss with garlic vinaigrette and serve.

To Make The Vinaigrette:

Blend all ingredients in a blender until combined (or whisk).  I prefer blending so the garlic is mixed thoroughly into the dressing