Chicken Nicoise Salad

Add vegetables and the spirit of sunny France to dinner with this Chicken Salad Nicoise.

Every January I resolve to eat more vegetables, so this is my cheerful, delicious attempt to encourage you to do the same!

Nicoise (knee-SWAHZ)) refers to the sunny, Mediterranean coastal city of Nice, France.

A long time ago, I studied abroad in France for a year and fell in love with the traditional “tuna” Nicoise salad, consisting of tuna, tomatoes, hard boiled eggs, French green beans, new potatoes and olives. ( And sometimes capers and anchovies.)

But even the French dispute what constitutes a true Nicoise! So why not mix up an old tradition with chicken instead?

Not everyone likes tuna, but if you like meat then you probably like chicken too. I am always looking for a fresh meal idea for roasted  chicken or a new way to dress up chicken breasts. This chicken Nicoise salad is versatile, easy to assemble and makes a stunning presentation. Plus it’s a good way to cut back on calories and still feel satisfied after dinner.

You can start with any kind of already prepared chicken (rotisserie or strips…) or follow the recipe below to make your own fresh, pan-seared chicken in less than 20 minutes.

Plan ahead! Manage salad preparation by boiling the eggs and veggies a few days before serving.

Double or triple the amount in the recipe and make extra hard-boiled eggs, new potatoes and green beans to use for future meals and snacks. Make 6 – 12 hard-boiled eggs for deviled egg appetizers, sandwich fillers or grated protein on your salads.

Roast extra new potatoes to go with tomorrow night’s dinner or breakfast!

Toss cut green beans (during the last 3 minutes of cooking time) into a pot of pasta, rice, quinoa or your next stir-fry.  Instead of chips, pair crunchy green beans with ranch dressing or your favorite dip.

The recipe only LOOKS long because I explain in detail how to pan-sear chicken and boil potatoes, eggs and green beans. If you know how to cook chicken and prep the boiled ingredients, this meal’s a snap. Even if you are a beginner in the kitchen, this is an easy recipe that will expand the way you cook.

Give it a try and see how flexible and delicious Nicoise Salad can be.

Dig in and Bon Appetit!

[tasty-recipe id=”7605″]

Alternatives:

Vegetarian: Replace chicken with your favorite home cooked or rinsed, canned beans or roasted, crispy chickpeas.

Vegan: Replace chicken and eggs with cooked or canned beans, corn, rice or quinoa. Add bright crunchy strips of peppers or shredded cabbage, carrots or beets.

Traditional: Replace chicken with canned, jarred or fresh cooked tuna steaks. Add drained capers and a few anchovy fillets for the true Nicoise experience!