PECAN CRUSTED CHICKEN SALAD…similar to T.G.I. Friday’s

YOU WILL NEED:

4 skinless chicken breast fillets
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
1/2 cup corn flake crumbs
*I use Panko crumbs instead
3/4 tsp salt
1 cup milk
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup flour
1/2 cup canola oil, or other
BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE:
1 cup canola oil
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
4 tsp Dijon mustard and sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 cloves garlic, minced
SALAD:
1 cup dried cranberries, craisans or Dried Cherries
3 tbsp dark brown sugar
1/2 to 3/4 cup chopped pecans
1 Tablespoon water
12 cups chopped romaine lettuce (2 heads)
1 cup sliced celery (2 stalks) opt.
2 (11 oz) cans mandarin orange segments, drained
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
Directions:

Pound each chicken fillet to about 1/2 inch thick between plastic wrap. Combine 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans, corn flake crumbs and 3/4 tsp salt in a shallow bowl. Combine milk with beaten eggs in another shallow bowl. Dump the flour into another shallow bowl. Bread each chicken breast by coating each with flour. Dip the flour-dusted chicken into the egg mixture, and then coat the chicken with a thick coating of the pecans and corn flake or panko crumbs. Preheat 1/2 cup oil in a large skillet over medium/low heat. When hot, saute the chicken fillets for 3 to 4 minutes per side or until golden brown. Cool chicken on paper towels. Cool. * Glazed Nuts: Add pecans, brown sugar & water in small skillet pan. Cook on med/low until it becomes a glaze on pecans, and liquid has evaporated. Set aside.

 Vinaigrette:

In a food processor or blender add all ingredients. Blend on low speed for just a few seconds, or until the dressing begins to thicken. Don’t blend too long or your vinaigrette will get too thick, like mayonnaise. Chill this until ready to use it. Toss lettuce and celery with about 3/4 cup of the balsamic vinaigrette. Arrange the lettuce on four plates, then sprinkle the cranberries over the lettuce (about 1/4 cup per serving). Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of nut mixture on each salad. Sprinkle drained mandarin segments over each salad, followed by blue cheese. Slice each fillet into thin strips. Arrange one sliced chicken fillet on top of each salad and serve.