Friday Faves-Simple Summer Salads

BBQ Chicken Salad

Hip Hip Hurray for the good old summertime!

I'm reposting some simple summer salads for you, 

gathered together here all in one post to make them easily accessible for you.

Chicken Caesar Salad

Quick and Easy Chicken Salad

Oriental Chicken Salad

Spinach Salad with Chicken, Pear, Feta Cheese and Nuts

I love summer meals that are quick and easy to pull together as well as nutritious and delicious!  

I hope you and your family enjoy these simple summer salads.

It's almost FRIDAY, friends!

Have a HAPPY, HAPPY Friday

and

a BLESSED weekend!

        

             

Friday Faves...Quick and Easy Chicken Salad

Sometimes you need a quick and easy no cooking summer recipe.

This fits the bill perfectly, and with my adaptations it's actually a bit on the healthier side

 than most mayonnaise heavy chicken salads.

My husband loves this, my kids and grandkids love this, and it's a favorite of friends as well.

Won't they be surprised to read this and find out it actually takes no real cooking skill!

We love this chicken salad served in pita pockets.

The grandkids prefer it served on a saucer with a side of crackers.

If you're watching your carbs, you can eat it wrapped up in lettuce leaves.

If you're not, try it on some grilled baguette or inside a yummy croissant or eat it in your favorite wrap.

It all starts with this, two cans of Kirkland chicken breast from Costco.

Each can is a little over 12 oz.

(you could also use chopped up rotisserie chicken or home grilled or roasted chicken breast)

To chicken add:

1/3 cup mayonnaise (I use olive oil mayo)

1/3 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt

1/2 cup diced celery

1/2 cup roughly chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)

1/2 cup grape halves (raisins or dried cranberries can be used as well)

salt and pepper to taste

That's all there is to it!

Keep the ingredients on hand for those "I don't want to cook" days and enjoy!

It's almost Friday, friends.

Have a

HAPPY, HAPPY Friday

and 

a BLESSED weekend!

                  

Jennifer Rizzo's Fabulously Creative Friday

Barbecue Chicken Salad

I've got another simple summer salad recipe to share with you today.

Actually, this is not a recipe as much as it is a method.

Here's what I do...

For two dinner sized salads:

~Grill or bake two boneless, skinless chicken breasts that have been seasoned with 

McCormick's Grill Mates Montreal Chicken seasoning.

When the chicken is cooked and cooled slightly, 

cut it into bite sized pieces and toss each chicken breast with 1 tablespoon of your favorite barbecue sauce.  

(I use either Famous Dave's or Sweet Baby Rays.)

On two dinner plates pile on:

~chopped romaine lettuce

~diced cucumber (I use 1/2 cucumber per person)

~diced tomato (I use 1/2 tomato per person)

~canned black beans that have been drained (I use about 1/4 cup per person)

~canned and drained or thawed frozen corn (I use about 1/4 cup per person)

~top with the chicken breast you prepared

~For dressing I mix our favorite light ranch dressing with some barbecue sauce.

Enjoy!

{You can find my recipes for Oriental Chicken Salad here,  Chicken Caesar salad here 

and my easy Chicken and Spinach salad with pear, feta cheese and pine nuts here.}

still following,

                  

Jennifer Rizzo's Fabulously Creative Friday

Friday Faves...Oriental Chicken Salad

I'm continuing my summer salad series with an oldie but goodie,

Oriental Chicken Salad.

It couldn't be easier to make and feeds a crowd. 

It also stores well for delicious leftovers!

{You can find my recipe for Chicken Caesar salad here 

and my easy Chicken and Spinach salad with pear, feta cheese and pine nuts here.}

In a large bowl combine:

~2 packages of shredded coleslaw mix

~3 green onions, sliced
~2 pkgs of oriental or chicken flavored ramen noodles,

(Crush the dry noodles. I only use one package to cut down on the carbs)

~1/4 cup sliced almonds
(I like to use a bit more, about 1/2 cup)
~1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
(I use more like 2 tablespoons.

To toast the sesame seeds place them in a small skillet over medium heat,

 watching them carefully until they are lightly golden)

~3 cooked chicken breasts cut into bite sized pieces.

For the dressing:

Place the following into a clean jar with a lid, then shake until well combined,

or place into a small bowl and whisk together:

~2 tablespoons sugar

~1/4 cup rice vinegar

~2 tablespoons sesame oil

~1/2 cup olive oil

~1 packet of seasoning from the ramen noodles

~1 tablespoon of ground black pepper

Pour over the salad, then stir until well incorporated throughout.

(This salad is great to make ahead of time.  Just cover it well and chill it in the refrigerator.)

Enjoy!

Well, it's almost Friday, friends!

Have a HAPPY, HAPPY Friday

and

a BLESSED weekend!

                  

Jennifer Rizzo's Fabulously Creative Friday

Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Dressing

In the good old summertime, my favorite red soup pot and the crockpot rarely see the light of day.

It's time for outdoor grilling and lots of summer salads.

One of our favorite summer salads can be found here.

Another of our favorites is chicken caesar salad.

Homemade caesar dressing is easy peasy to make.

Here's what you need-

2 Tablespoons anchovy paste (usually found near the canned tuna and sardines)

2 Tablespoons dijon mustard

2 raw egg yolks

2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 cloves)

2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce

juice of one lemon, (about 1/4 cup)

Whir together in food processor.

Drizzle in 1/2 cup olive oil and whir in food processor until emulsified.

Add in 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Top romaine lettuce with slices of roasted or grilled chicken breast.

Sprinkle with shredded parmesan cheese.

Top with homemade croutons.

To make croutons-

Cut a good hearty bread into large chunks,

drizzle it with olive oil 

and

sprinkle it with good salt.

Put it on an oven safe skillet or cookie sheet

and

bake in 425 degree oven until toasted all over.

Keep an eye on it so it doesn't burn!

Drizzle your homemade caesar dressing over salad and enjoy!

(Be sure to refrigerate any leftover dressing.)

still following,