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Apple Cider Poached Chicken & Arugula Salad

Tart cherries, sharp cheese, and bitter arugula work together in this delectable salad to complement the familiar flavours of cider-poached chicken. As a light lunch, this salad will make you feel like you’re dining in a bistro. Serve alongside a soup at dinner and you have a delicious meal you’ll feel like making again and again.
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 15 min

Ingredients

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 cup apple cider
½ cinnamon stick(s)
½ star anise
¼ cup cider vinegar
2 tbsp olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp Dijon mustard
¼ tsp sea salt
2 tsp honey
1.5 oz Brebis cheese
or
1.5 oz feta cheese
or
1.5 oz cream cheese
8 cups baby arugula
1 cup red onion(s), sliced (optional garnish)
2 Gala apples, large (optional garnish)
or
3 Gala apples, small (optional garnish)
½ cup dried tart Montmorency cherries, (optional garnish)

Food Safety

Before you start, wash all surfaces and your hands with soap and warm water, and remember to wash your hands, utensils and cutting boards after they touch raw meat or eggs. Avoid cross-contamination by using a different cutting board for your meat and other ingredients. Make sure you’re cooking to safe temperatures and chilling any leftovers within two hours. For more food safety tips, visit our Food Safety at Home Section.

Steps

  1. Cut chicken thighs into 1” (2.5 cm) size pieces. Add to small pot with apple cider, cinnamon stick and star anise. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until chicken is cooked through; about 15 minutes. Remove meat from poaching liquid to cool. Reserve ½ cup (125 mL) of the poaching liquid and discard or freeze for another use.

  2. Make vinaigrette by blending the remaining ½ cup (125 mL) of the poaching liquid with apple cider vinegar, olive oil, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, honey and Brebis cheese in a food processor or blender.

  3. Wash arugula and drain well. Divide in four and plate.

  4. To serve, top with apple poached chicken, sliced red onion, apple slices and dried cherries. Drizzle with vinaigrette. Serve extra dressing on the side.

Helpful Tip

This tasty salad features apple cider poached chicken, arugula greens and Brebis cheese. Arugula is a leafy green of the mustard family also known as rocket (roquette). Like other salad greens it is low in calories and high in vitamin A and vitamin C. Brebis is a creamy, soft unripened French cheese that is made with sheep's milk. It has a rich, tangy flavour and is creamier texture than traditional Greek cheese. Feta, or even cream cheese, can be substituted for the Brebis but you really should try it!

Nutrition Info

Per 370 g serving Amount
Calories380
Protein25 g
Fat15 g
Saturated Fat3.5 g
Carbohydrate40 g
Fibre3 g
Sugar23 g
Cholesterol100 mg
Sodium310 mg
Per 370 g serving % Daily Value
Potassium18
Calcium10
Iron15
Vitamin A30
Vitamin C25
Vitamin B628
Vitamin B1223
Folate28
Zinc28