Chopped Chicken and Couscous Salad with Sweet Basil Dressing

This couscous salad with chopped chicken is bursting with sweet basil flavor.

Chopped Chicken and Couscous Salad with Sweet Basil Dressing

4.6 Stars (9 Reviews)

Yield: 4 servings

Aren’t summer salads, bursting with fresh garden produce, just the best?!

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

Adapted just slightly from The Recipe Girl Cookbook by Lori Lange.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1 Calories: 582kcal Carbohydrates: 31g Protein: 30g Fat: 38g Saturated Fat: 8g Polyunsaturated Fat: 27g Cholesterol: 92mg Sodium: 403mg Fiber: 5g Sugar: 13g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Spoonacular. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your own favorite calculator.