Apple “Crumby” Salad

Inspired by my 2-year-old niece, this apple “crumby” salad may or may not be what she was making in her imagination in her kitchen, but it sparked my imagination!

Serves 4

Ingredients:

For the Chicken

• 2 cloves Garlic, peeled and minced
• 1 Tbsp Lime juice
• 5-6 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• ¼ tsp Cayenne Pepper
• 1½ Tbsp Honey
• 4 Chicken Breast

For the Glazed Pecans

• 1 Cup Pecan Halves
• 2 Tbsp Maple Syrup
• 1 tsp Water
• ¼ tsp Vanilla
• pinch Cinnamon

For the Salad

• 6 Cups Mixed Greens (I used mixed garden greens, spinach & arugula)
• 1 Granny Smith apple, washed and thinly sliced
• 1 Bulb Fennel, thinly sliced and rinsed

For the Dressing

• 5 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• 2 tsp Honey
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients for the chicken marinade in a casserole or ziploc bag: garlic, lime juice, olive oil, cayenne pepper and honey. Add the Chicken breasts and marinade for 15 minutes or up to one day.
2. Cook the chicken on the grill, cast iron skillet, or in the oven as preferred. If cooking on the grill, heat on medium and cook for 7-9 minutes per side, or until no longer pink inside. If using a cast iron skillet, preheat oven to 350^o Fahrenheit, cook the chicken in the cast iron skillet over medium-high heat on the stovetop for 2 minutes each side and then place the skillet in the oven for 12 minutes. If baking, bake at 375^o Fahrenheit for 14-16 minutes. Once cooked, leave aside to keep warm.
3. To prepare the glazed pecans, add the pecans in a small pan over medium-high heat and stir for about 5 minutes. In a small bowl mix the maple syrup with water, vanilla and cinnamon. Once the pecans have roasted, add the glaze to the pecans and stir evenly to coat. Place on parchment paper and allow to cool.
4. To prepare the salad, combine the salad greens in a bowl. In a small separate bowl, make the dressing and evenly toss into the salad greens.
5. To plate, place the salad greens, followed by a chicken breast (sliced), pecans, apple slices and fennel.

*You can make these ingredients all separate and serve for 1 with left-overs or make according to your party size!