I had an abundance of fresh basil growing in my garden and was in the mood for a fast, fresh meal. The Lime Basil Chicken Salad hit the spot.
I found the recipe for the chicken on Pinterest and was deciding how to serve it. When I looked in my fridge and noticed all the garden fresh produce, I knew a salad would compliment it perfectly.
I marinated the chicken for a few hours, grilled it, sliced it, mixed it with the basil dressing And put on top a bed of fresh greens, cucumber and tomato (avocado would have been splendid addition). I topped the whole thing with a roasted tomatillo ranch dressing (which in itself was divine).
Lime Basil Chicken Salad
- 3 Limes (juice and zest) Divided
- 3 T Olive Oil
- 1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 3 T Dijon Mustard
- 3 T Worcestershire Sauce
- 3 T Soy Sauce
- 4 Cloves Garlic Minced, Divided
- 3 T Chopped Basil
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 2 lbs Chicken Breasts
Instructions
- Combine the zest and juice of 2 limes, Olive Oil, Mustard, Worcestershire, Soy, 2 garlic cloves salt and pepper in a gallon ziplock.
- Cut chicken into even cutlets and place in a gallon sized baggie.
- Mix marinade and chicken, squeeze out all air and seal. Let marinate 1-8 hours.
- Preheat grill.
- Place chicken on grill and grill for 7 minutes.
- Then flip and cook until internal temp reaches 165.
- Remove from grill and let meat rest.
- Meanwhile combine juice and zest of one lime with extra virgin olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, basil.
- Slice chicken into bite-sized pieces and pour sauce over top.
- Serve atop a fresh bed of greens and other garden veggies for the world's greatest summer salad.
Roasted Tomatillo Ranch
2 parts Daisy sour cream,
2 parts buttermilk,
1 part mayonnaise,
2 tablespoons of my homemade ranch mix ( parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper)
2 roasted tomatillos.
Combine everything in a small food chopper and blend until smooth.
The chicken was simply awesome-moist and flavorful. The fresh salad was crunchy and great. And the creamy dressing just put it all together. I will definitely be making this again and again.
Original recipe for the chicken can be found at http://goodenessgracious.com/2012/01/basil-lime-chicken.html
