Grilled Chicken Salad with Parmesan Breadcrumbs

This salad was really, really delicious. Maybe it was because we were with friends. Food always tastes better when you're with friends. Or perhaps it was because we were sitting poolside. It is a gorgeous pool and the water was perfect for a dip. Do you think the three bottles of wine made it taste especially good?

No .... this salad would have been great even if we eating in our kitchen and watching a cold rain following outside.

Ingredients:
1 plum tomato, halved
4 sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, plus 2 tablespoons oil from the jar
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 clove garlic
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 bunch fresh basil, torn
1/3 cup grated Parmesan
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 1 pound)
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
8 cups Italian-blend salad greens or baby arugula (I used baby spinach)
8 ounces bocconcini (small mozzarella balls), quartered

Directions:
1. Preheat a grill to high. Puree the plum tomato, sun-dried tomatoes, vinegar, garlic, oregano, a few basil leaves and 2 tablespoons Parmesan in a blender, drizzling in the sun-dried tomato oil until smooth. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons water, if needed; season with salt and pepper.

2. Halve the chicken breasts horizontally to make four 1/4-inch-thick cutlets. Brush with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with slat and pepper. Grill the chicken until marked on the bottom, about 4 minutes, then turn and grill until cooked through, about 3 more minutes. Transfer to a cutting board.

3. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the breadcrumbs, season with slat and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 2 minutes. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon Parmesan and the parsley and cook until toasted, about 1 more minute.

4. Toss the salad greens and remaining basil in a large bowl. cut the chicken into pieces and add to the greens along with the mozzarella. Toss with the dressing, then sprinkle with the breadcrumb mixture.


Adapted from Food Network Magazine.