Spicy Corn and Chicken Salad

Place 1 teaspoon of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.

Add the corn and cook for about 5 minutes. Toss frequently.

As the corn begins to lightly brown, add the green and red peppers.

Cook for about 5 minutes. Toss frequently.

While the corn and peppers are cooking, place the goat cheese in a large mixing bowl.

When the peppers have just started to soften, add them along with the corn to the bowl with the goat cheese.

Place the remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil in the skillet and add the white part of the green onion.

Cook for one minute. Toss frequently.

Add the chicken breast and cook for about 6 to 8 minutes. Toss frequently.

When the chicken is cooked, add it to the bowl with the corn and peppers.

Add the celery, cumin, chili powder, paprika, cayenne, the green part of the onions, and salt to the bowl. Fold the vegetables and chicken together until the goat cheese is melted and the whole is well blended.

Chill well before serving.

Spicy Barbecue Chicken Salad

Combine the garlic, shallot, smoked paprika, chili powder, molasses, vanilla extract, ground cumin, salt, pepper, olive oil and chicken in a large zipper bag.

Toss the chicken in the bag until well coated with the spices.

This can be done up to 24 hours in advance and kept in the refrigerator. The chicken will be best if it marinates for at least a few hours.

When you are ready to serve preheat the grill or place a large roasting pan in the oven and preheat to 400°F.

Add the chicken to the grill (or the pan) and return the skillet to the oven.

Cook for 12 to 14 minutes turning the chicken about every 4 minutes.

Let the chicken cool and then cut into 1/2 inch cubes.

Chill well.

When the chicken is chilled, add the mayonnaise, yogurt, and green onions and fold together.

Serve.

Southwest Cobb Salad

Place a small skillet in the oven and preheat to 375°F.

Sprinkle one side of the chicken thighs with 1/8 teaspoon chili powder. Add the chicken thighs to the hot pan seasoned side down.

Sprinkle another 1/8 teaspoon of the chili powder on top of the chicken and return the pan to the oven.

Roast for about 8 minutes and turn. Roast for another 7 to 10 minutes and remove the chicken to a plate. Chill.

Place the water in a medium sauce pan over high heat. When the water boils, add the eggs and cook for three minutes.

Remove from the heat and let the eggs stand in the hot water for 12 minutes. Run under cold water and peel. Place in the refrigerator to chill.

Place the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.

Add the onion and cook for about 3 minutes. Stir frequently.

Add the corn and cook, stirring frequently, for about 7 minutes.

Remove to a bowl and chlll.

Place 1/4 cup of the black beans, buttermilk, cumin, 1/4 teaspoon chili powder, oregano, salt and pepper in a blender or mini chopper and blend until smooth.

Chill.

When ready to serve, place the torn lettuce in the center of a plate. Slice the chicken into strips and place to one side of the plates. Divide the corn between the two plates on the other side of the plate.

Slice the tomatoes in half and place to one of the open sides of each plate.

Slice the eggs in quarters and place one sliced egg in the other quarter of each plate.

Top the lettuce with the remaining 1/2 cup beans divided between the two plates.

Top the salad with dressing and serve.

Southwest Chicken and Corn Salad

Place a large skillet in the oven and preheat to 325°F.

While the oven is preheating peel the corn husks back but leave attached at the base of the cob. Remove the corn silks and rinse well.

Fold the cornhusks back around the corn and then wrap each cob with aluminum foil.

When the oven is hot place the chicken in the pan. Place the wrapped corn in the oven.

Roast the chicken for about 15 – 20 minutes. Remove to a plate and let cool.

Roasting the corn will take 20 to 25 minutes. Remove and allow to cool in the foil.

When the chicken is cool, cut into medium dice and place in a large mixing bowl.

When the corn is cool, cur the corn kernels from the cob and add to the bowl.

Add the celery, bell pepper, chili powder, paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, lime, sour cream and mayonnaise.

Fold together until well blended. Chill well before serving with 1/4 sliced avocado garnishing each serving.

Smoked Paprika Chicken Salad with White Beans

Place a roasting pan in the oven and heat the oven to 350F.

When the oven comes to temperature, add the chicken thighs and roast, turning once, for about 15-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160F.

Place the avocado in a large mixing bowl and mash until smooth.

Add the yogurt, lime zest, lime juice, paprika, salt, cayenne, honey, and black pepper and blend until smooth.

Place in the refrigerator to chill.

When the chicken is done, allow the thighs to cool on the counter, then refrigerate, left whole, for at least two hours.

Cut the chicken thighs into small dice and add to the sauce along with the celery, beans, pepitas, and green onions. Fold together gently.

Chill thoroughly before serving.

Smoked Paprika Chicken Pasta Salad

Preheat the oven to 325°F.

Place the water in a medium stock pot over high heat.

When the water boils, add the pasta and stir. Cook the pasta according to package directions until just al dente.

Place the chicken thighs in a large skillet and place the skillet in the oven.

Place the milk, mayonnaise, sour cream, paprika, cayenne, oregano, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl.

Whisk until smooth and then place in the refrigerator to chill.

When the pasta is done, drain and rinse under cool water.

When the chicken is cooked (about 20 minutes – check to see that the temperature is 160°F), remove and set on a cutting board.

Allow the chicken to cool for about 5 minutes and cut into 1/2 inch dice.

Allow the chicken to cool for another 5 minutes.

Add the chicken, pasta, celery, and green onions to the bowl with the dressing.

Toss well and chill before serving.

Chicken and Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad

Place the water in a medium sauce pan fitted with a steamer basket.

Add the shredded Brussels sprouts to the steamer basket and place the pan over high heat.

Steam the Brussels sprouts for ten minutes.

Toss at least once so that they are well mixed and cook evenly.

Remove to a large bowl and toss. Place in the refrigerator.

Place a large skillet over medium high heat and add 1 teaspoon olive oil.

Add the pine nuts and cook for about 2 minutes, tossing frequently.

Add the corn kernels and cook for about 7 minutes, tossing frequently.

Remove the pine nuts and corn and add them to the bowl with the Brussels sprouts.

Place another teaspoon of olive oil in the pan and add the chicken.

Cook for about 10 minutes and turn.

Cook for another 8 to 10 minutes until done.

Remove from the pan and cut into 1 inch cubes. Place in the refrigerator to chill.

Mix together the remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil with the mustard, vinegar, sour cream, salt, pepper, and tarragon. Chill.

When all the ingredients are chilled, fold together until well blended and serve.

Saffron Chicken Salad

Place the water in a large skillet over high heat.

When the water begins to boil, remove 1/4 cup and place it in a measuring cup with the saffron.

Add 1 tablespoon of the vinegar to the water in the skillet and then add the chicken breast.

Poach the chicken for about 20 to 25 minutes.  Ideally, cook the chicken to an internal temperature of 155°F. Then remove the chicken to a cutting board to cool.

Place the saffron tea (in its measuring cup) and the poached chicken breast (on the cutting board or a plate) in the refrigerator and chill thoroughly.

When the saffron mixture is chilled, add the yogurt, mayonnaise, salt, maple syrup, and 2 teaspoons of white wine vinegar.

Stir well until smooth.

Cut the chicken breast into cubes and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the saffron dressing, pepper, paprika, celery, red pepper, peas, and green onions.

Fold together gently and serve.

Rice Noodle Chicken Salad

Place 3 quarts of water in a large sauce pan over high heat.

When boiling add the rice noodles. Cook the rice noodles for about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove and run under cold water.

Place in a large mixing bowl with the sesame oil. Toss until the noodles are separated and coated with oil. Chill.

While the water for the noodles is heating place 1 quart water in a medium skillet over high heat.

When nearly boiling add the chicken thighs. Poach for about 12 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and remove to a plate. Let cool and then dice.

Add the carrot, peppers, green onions and cucumber to the bowl with the noodles. Toss well and chill.

Whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, lime zest, lime juice, beer, Tabasco, sugar and pepper until smooth.

Add the diced chicken and peanut sauce to the bowl with the noodles and vegetables. Add the cilantro leaves.

Toss until the salad is well coated with dressing and then place in the refrigerator or freezer until chilled. Serve.

Quinoa Salad with Chicken and Peruvian Green Sauce

Place a large skillet in the oven and preheat the oven to 375°F.

Place the water in a small saucepan on the stove and bring to a boil.

Add the quinoa, stir, and simmer gently for 25 minutes, or until almost all of the water has evaporated.

Remove the quinoa from the heat, cover, and set aside for five minutes.

Chill.

When the oven comes to temperature, place the whole chicken thighs in the skillet and roast for 20 minutes, turning once.

Remove the chicken from the oven and place on a plate to cool. Chill.

Add the green part of the leeks to the skillet the chicken was cooked in.

Return the pan to the oven and roast for 10 minutes. Stir once.

Add the white parts of the leeks to the pan, stir well and roast for 10 minutes. Stir once.

Place the leeks in a large mixing bowl. Allow them to come to room temperature, then chill.

When the quinoa, chicken, and leeks are chilled, add the chicken and quinoa along with the red pepper and the pumpkin seeds to the mixing bowl with the leeks.

Add the Peruvian Green Sauce and fold together gently.

The salad is best if it is chilled overnight before eating.