Lemon Chicken Salad on Crostini
Chopped fresh dill may be substituted for the tarragon and diced Belgian endive for the fennel. The resulting salad will have a more Scandinavian flavor than this Mediterranean appetizer.
Ingredients:
- 1 French or sourdough baguette, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices (about 28)
- 2 Tbs. olive oil
- Salt, to taste, plus 3/4 tsp.
- Freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 1 lemon
- 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, about 3/4 lb. total, pounded lightly to an even thickness and patted dry with a paper towel
- 1 Tbs. canola oil
- 1/2 fennel bulb, trimmed, quartered lengthwise and finely chopped
- 1 green onion, white and pale green parts only, finely chopped
- 3/4 tsp. finely chopped fresh tarragon, plus more for garnish
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
Directions:
Make the crostini
Preheat an oven to 350°F. Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush lightly with the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Bake until golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a platter.
Cook the chicken
Meanwhile, grate 1/2 tsp. zest from the lemon. Halve the lemon and squeeze 1 tsp. juice. Set the zest and juice aside.
Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. In a large fry pan over medium heat, warm the canola oil. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and opaque, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and let stand for 5 minutes.
Prepare the chicken salad
In a bowl, combine the lemon zest and juice, fennel, green onion, the 3/4 tsp. tarragon, the mayonnaise, the 3/4 tsp. salt and pepper. Mix until smooth.
Chop the chicken finely. Add to the fennel mixture and toss until thoroughly blended. Spoon a generous tablespoonful of the salad onto each crostini, garnish with tarragon and serve. Makes 28 crostini.
Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Food Made Fast Series, Small Plates, by Brigit L. Binns (Oxmoor House, 2007).
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