One thing I love: this honey mustard dressing, which I am still licking off my fingers as I type this. TMI?
One thing I Do Not Like: when I have to stay home alone. Example –> when Bjork goes on work trips.
He got invited to go to an affiliate conference with a friend, so, you know, they spent a few days having nice dinners and shaking peoples’ hands. The life of a conference-goer.
I took care of the new old house for a few days. Just me, myself, and the horrendously mysterious creaking house noises coming from the basement. I know you’re down there, house monster.
HOW TO MAKE OUR RAINBOW CHICKEN SALAD (1 MIN):
It shouldn’t be a big deal. I mean, our neighborhood is very safe (confidently stated as a totally naive new-to-the-neighborhood person), our doors have rusty but functional locks, and my phone is attached to my body with 911 at the ready. Just kidding // sort of.
There are even some secretly awesome things about being home alone that I try to appreciate, like getting lots of work done. *wheee* Or watching husband-prohibited shows like Extreme Couponing on Netflix. Or having access to all the blankets at all times, or only having to wash one set of dishes, or mostly just eating the healthy fettuccine alfredo all-by-my-self. ALMOST worth it.
But no matter how much fettuccine alfredo I get out of the deal, I loathe the whole staying home alone thing.
I am either
a) so madly in love with the man that I can’t stand staying here without him,
b) a paranoid crazy person, or
c) in desperate need of a dog.
Correct answer – D. All of the above. And throw a healthy salad in there, too. That will most definitely help the cause.
And now, for a few words on Rainbow Salad.
This Rainbow Salad has fruit. How do you feel about fruit in salad? Red grapes, blueberries, and that kinda thing? I feel reeeeeal good about it. Like juicy fresh yum yum. Also noteworthy is the golden brown chicken. It was simple and delicious and I it makes me happy that I wasn’t pretending to be a vegetarian while putting at all together. Add in some crunchy almonds, creamy tangy feta, and the gang’s all there. Almost.
As if I need to even tell you, the crown jewel of this salad is the dressing. It’s made with almond butter for a incredibly smooth and creamy texture, plus it has the perfect sweet and tangy taste of a homemade honey mustard. It’s my favorite dressing that I’ve made this year, which puts us at one for one. It was just superdelicious.
Eat the rainbow, yo.
Rainbow Chicken Salad with Almond Honey Mustard Dressing
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
This Rainbow Chicken Salad is topped with the most creamy and delicious homemade Almond Honey Mustard Dressing. Perfect for lunch or dinner!
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 8 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (mine were cut into smaller, thinner pieces which made the sauteing a bit easier)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 cups grapes, halved
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 3 cups curly lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 cup feta cheese
- 1/2 cup almonds, chopped or crushed
For the Dressing
- 3 tablespoons almond butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon stoneground mustard
- 1/2 tablespoon raw honey
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Sprinkle the chicken with the salt, pepper, and chili powder. Saute in the oil for a few minutes, flipping the chicken now and then to cook through and get a nice golden color on both sides. When the chicken is cooked, remove from heat and set aside.
- Cut and prep all the vegetables and fruits. When the chicken is cool enough to handle, cut into bite sized pieces. Place the salad ingredients in a large bowl – you can either arrange the bowl by ingredient, like pictured, or toss everything together. Refrigerate to chill.
- For the dressing, puree all the dressing ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Taste and adjust to your preferences. Pour dressing over salad and serve.
Notes
After snapping these photos, I threw some crumbled crispy onions on top for a little extra crunch and flavor. Bjork just about died of happiness.
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: American
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I hatehatehate being alone without my hubby too! And, considering he works graveyard shifts, that is just about every single night. The only benefit is that I also get to eat whatever the heck I want.
And..I want this salad. I feel very very good about fruit in my salad. Like I ALWAYS put fruit in my dinner salads kind good.
And, with almond butter? GENIUS. Nom nom nom x 100.
That looks so refreshing! I think I even have all the ingredients to make it. I know what I’m having for lunch.
Definitely one of the prettiest salads I’ve ever seen.
This was absolutely delicious, I had to let you know that we made this chicken salad yesterday for a dieting group and they were a smash hit. We went a little heavier on the strawberries and added rhubarb. The chicken is fantastic and causes weight loss
http://diettolose30.blogspot.com/2014/04/trying-to-lose-30-pounds-power-of.html
★★★★★
I my not have a partner but when I am alone at home I am afraid that someone has entered the house without my knowledge….
The addition of grapes, that almond butter sauce is enough for me to turn this salad into a weekly lunch staple! Gorgeous!
I really want to like fruit in salad, but I just can’t do it. Or in really any savory entree. I’m a salt fiend. The bf knows a surefire way to keep me from “testing” his food when we go out–order some mango/pineapple/strawberry meat dish or salad something 🙁 The dressing looks yummy though!
I have a dog and an alarm system and still HATE when my husband is out of town. I blame my nerves on not living in the best area, but I think I’m just a a wimp! Anyway, salad looks amazing! 🙂
Wow, I’m making this next time I’m home alone. My man is not really a big fan of salads, so this is perfect home alone food! 😉
I am also a paranoid crazy person and hate staying in houses by myself. And this salad looks awesome (fruit in salad is also awesome), but I would sub tofu for chicken. 🙂
Funny, that’s one of the reasons I got a dog! I can’t stand being alone — and as my fiance is a firefighter/newspaper circulation manager, he often has calls, training, and distribution that takes him away from home at night. Usually, I make that my night to watch “Say Yes to the Dress” and snuggle shamelessly with the dog 🙂
I love the idea of mixing chicken with berries and grapes. I’m going to have to try this soon — I’m attempting to compile a good list of hearty dinner-appropriate salads. This fits the bill exactly. Thanks for sharing!
This looks great and I love the almond butter dressing idea too, genius!
I am such a wimp, I don’t think I could stay in my apartment completely alone. Even before I read the multiple choice question, I was going to suggest getting a dog! My pup makes me feel so much better when the boyfriend is on work trips, partially because she keeps me company but also because I know that she’d bark if someone came into the apartment while I was sleeping (so paranoid haha).
Also the salad looks amazing. I’m trying to get on board with salads this year, and honey mustard dressing will definitely help.
I’m actually NOT a fan of fruit in salad! I tried to be for years, but I don’t even like dried cranberries in my salad. This looks amazing with the exception of the fruit! I’m intrigued by this dressing and am writing down the recipe.
This looks wonderful… I love how you meld all of the different fruits together in this salad. This is definitely a combination that I wouldn’t have thought of trying, but I cannot wait to try it. One of the things I look forward to when my boyfriend isn’t home too is spaghetti carbonara… now that he can’t eat gluten, I always pick up an order of my favorite carbonara when he’s away. 🙂
This looks amazing. Thanks for sharing and for including the nutrition info.
Awsome stuff! If you can find fresh pomegranate seeds it might add a nice tangyness to it. Hang in there!
Looks delicious! I too like fruit in my salad, particularly strawberries.
You’re so funny! I am the same way when I am home alone. I’m extra paranoid because I have a baby to defend if said monster came out of the basement. I might have planned an escape route or two…. I’m crazy.
Oh and I also feel great about fruit in a salad, even chicken salad. I’m also good with bacon in there. 🙂
★★★★★
BACON. yes.
Such a pretty salad! Dressing with almond butter in it? Must try!
Wow this salad looks so refreshing, I love how you managed to combine such beautiful colors to form a rainbow!
★★★★★
Oh my word that dressing sounds INSANE. Amazing!
I am totally the same way when my hubby travels – which happens more than I’d like. ADT is my friend. And do you know the trick about sleeping with your car keys near your head so you can set off your car alarm? #paranoidbutitworks
oh my gosh, where has that trick been all my life?
Yes yes yes to everything – Unreasonably scared when hubby is away (I always let my 2 year old sleep with me when he goes away. Like she could save me!). Yes to Netflix (have you discovered Downton Abbey? Ughhh my heart). And especially yes to this salad! Looks so yummy!
Downton Abbey – I tried, and failed. Maybe I need to give it another go.
Absolutely wonderful salad with lots of great flavors and colors! This sounds absolutely perfect right now 🙂
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
I hate hate being home alone when my husband travels for work. I even have three kids at home and still feel so lonely! Must be love!! This salad looks amazingly beautiful and delish! I will be making this soon. I love fruit in salads! Thanks for sharing!
Oh gosh I can totally relate! I hate being alone in the house, especially overnight. Suddenly I notice every strange sound and I become utterly convinced that someone is trying to break in. Ugh ugh ugh I hate it.
This salad looks amazing. I’m a huge fan of fruits in salad. Especially berries. But apples and strawberries are great too. Also, this dressing looks amazing!
This salad looks divine. I love fruit in my salad. It’s like…2for1! I feel the exact same way about being home alone. Hate it! My husband thinks I’m nuts, but I’m scared to turn off the lights. Sleeping in the middle of the bed is almost worth it but only if I can fall asleep!