TgifridayS Pecan-Crusted Chicken Salad - chicken

Method

• Make the pecan-crusted chicken first since it is served cold.
• Pound each chicken fillet to about 1/2-inch thick. You can do this easily by covering each chicken breast in plastic wrap, and pounding with a kitchen mallet.
• Combine 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans, corn flake crumbs, and 3/4 teaspoon 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.
• Coat the chicken with a thick coating of the pecans and corn flake crumbs.
• Preheat 1/2 cup canola oil in a large skillet over medium/low heat.
• When the oil is hot, saute the chicken fillets for 3-4 minutes per side or until golden brown.
• Cool chicken on a rack or paper-towels.
• When you can handle the chicken, cover it and refrigerate it for at least two hours.
• As the chicken chills, you can make the balsamic vinaigrette by combining 1 cup canola oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard, granulated sugar and 1/2 tsp salt in a blender.
• 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.
• Pour vinaigrette into a small bowl and mix in minced garlic.
• Chill this until you're ready to use it.
• When you're ready to build your salad, 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).
• Combine the 3 tablespoons of brown sugar with 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans.
• Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the mixture on each salad.
• Sprinkle about 1/2 can of drained mandarin orange segments over each salad, followed by about 2 tablespoons of crumbled bleu cheese.
• Slice each chicken fillet into thin strips. Arrange one sliced chicken fillet on top of each salad and serve.