Aren’t summer salads, bursting with fresh garden produce, just the best?! I am super excited to share this Chopped Chicken and Couscous Salad with Sweet Basil Dressing with you.
This salad recipe comes from Lori Lange of Recipe Girl. I’ve always loved Lori’s enticing and approachable recipes, sprinkled with stories of her family’s life. But it wasn’t until I attended the BlogHer Food conference in Austin, Texas a couple months ago, that I had the pleasure of finally meeting her face to face. Lori has a great laugh, is super smiley, and knows how to rock a pair of cowboy boots. I like that. A lot. :)
It has been a real pleasure to read and cook from Lori’s book, The Recipe Girl Cookbook. Just like the recipes on her popular blog, the ones in the book are welcoming and tasty, using ingredients and techniques that are easily attainable. I especially like how Lori offers ideas to change up each recipe, and at the back of the book she includes ways to incorporate her recipes into themed menus. She completely takes the guess work out of planning a gathering or special meal.
I had several recipes tagged from the cookbook, and it took me awhile to decide what to actually share with you. But then I looked out the window into our kitchen garden and saw the basil plants, all lush and begging to be used. I knew right then and there what I wanted to make. And eat. And share with you!
This salad is a definite keeper, an all-family pleaser. It has chicken (meat!), which automagically bumps up any salad in my husband’s rating system. It has Israeli couscous, those tiny little pasta bubbles that our girls love so much. And it’s loaded with the delicious summer goodness of sweet corn and fresh pungent basil. This recipe particularly peaked my interest with its use of raw sweet corn kernels, incorporated into the salad straight from the cob without cooking. I think I’ve found a new love. Why haven’t I been eating raw sweet corn in my summer salads all along?!
Oh, and one more thing. Just go ahead and double the sweet basil dressing right away, to have some extra on hand. Drizzle it over fresh greens and use it as a veggie dip. It’s awesome!
Chopped Chicken and Couscous Salad with Sweet Basil Dressing
Ingredients
- for the sweet basil dressing:
- ½ c. mayonnaise
- 2 T. finely chopped fresh basil
- 1 T. prepared basil pesto
- 1 T. water
- 2 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp. honey
- ⅛ tsp. salt
- ⅛ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- for the chopped chicken and couscous salad:
- 4 c. finely chopped romaine lettuce
- 2 c. finely chopped roasted chicken
- 2 c. fresh raw corn kernels, from about 2 large cobs
- 2 c. finely chopped red cabbage
- 1 c. dry Israeli couscous cooked according to package directions, then cooled
- 1 medium red bell pepper seeded, ribs removed and finely chopped
- ½ c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ c. dried currants or substitute golden raisins
- ½ c. finely chopped pecans
Instructions
for the sweet basil dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients. If the dressing seems too thick, whisk in more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until you reach a consistency you’re happy with. It should be creamy and thick, but also pourable.
for the chopped chicken and couscous salad:
- In a large bowl, toss together all salad ingredients.
- Add the dressing and toss to coat evenly. Divide salad among 4 bowls to serve. Or, if you prefer, serve the dressing on the side so that individual eaters can add their own salad dressing.
- The dressing is so good, I highly recommend making a double batch of it. Whatever doesn’t get used on this salad can be used for other salads or as a veggie dip. Yum!
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Disclosure: I received a copy of The Recipe Girl Cookbook for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
My favorite salad is Armenian fattoush salad.
I like blt salads!
I completely agree with you about the raw sweet corn from the cob…no cooking, and the kernels are sweet, fresh and delicious in salads or even sprinkling as a topping with tacos. I loved it and will forever look differently at what corn can be used for in it’s purest form :)
Caprese salad! Cobb salad! Any kind of salad really!
This salad looks delicious! I have lots of basil that needs to be used.
right now it’s a blt salad, I can’t help myself the bacon keep calling my name!
Love romaine, dried cranberries, pecans, chicken, summer squash, tomatoes, tossed with a balsamic dressing!
Caprese salad!
A yummy spinach salad with berries and balsamic vinaigrette.
Tough question! I don’t usually ever make the same salad twice, but my current go-to for a side is a salad made up of equal parts cucumber, tomato, red onion, and (a little less than an equal part of) avocado, drizzled with a splash of olive oil and a good dose of balsamic vinegar. Yum!
I don’t have a particular summer salad, it’s pretty much spinach and whatever fruit or veggies is on hand. Anything with corn or feta cheese is a win.
Summer Corn Salad from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2011/06/summer-corn-salad.html
Spinach salad with strawberries, goat cheese and candied walnuts is my favorite.
i love a fresh cucumber salad
My favorite summer salad is caprese pasta salad.
My favorite salad is inspired by one that I had while traveling in China. It is a cilantro peanut salad. I make this salad for potlucks and everything I get hunted down by someone that has to have the recipe. It is simple and easy and cheap to make. And for those who love cilantro, is sure to become a favorite. Give it a try and I am confident you to will get asked for the recipe.
Salad
2 cups Fresh cilantro
2 cups finely shredded cabbage
1 cup salted peanuts
mix together and add dressing
Dressing * I admit to altering these four ingredients until I get the flavor I like best.
1/4 c 100% sesame oil
1/3 rice wine vinegar
1/4 soy sauce
1 T of sugar
Toss together and let sit for 20 minutes until it starts to wilt and then serve.
SambainSac
I toss chopped apples and walnuts with chicken and drizzle with Cinnamon Pear balsamic and Roasted Walnut oil. Fresh flavors with a tart crunch!
Another good recipe. Thanks Brenda. Love this one too.
This salad looks incredible!
I love a salad with chicken, mandarin oranges, walnuts, and feta with a simple balsamic dressing.