Asparagus and Chicken Salad with Buttermilk Herb Dressing - VeryVera

Asparagus and Chicken Salad with Buttermilk Herb Dressing

Originally Published on October 13, 2015

  • Prep Time: 25m
  • Cook Time: 10m
  • Total Time: 35m

Ingredients

For the dressing:

  • 1/4 c fresh parsley
  • 1/4 c fresh tarragon
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tsp. dijon mustard
  • 1/4 c buttermilk
  • 1/4 c mayonnaise
  • 1/4 c extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

For the salad:

  • Kosher salt
  • 1/4 c sliced almonds
  • 2 bunches thick asparagus, ends trimmed, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 heads Bibb lettuce, roughly chopped
  • 1 large bunch watercress, tough stems trimmed
  • 6 radishes, thinly sliced
  • 8 oz skinless, boneless smoked chicken, diced
  • 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1/2 c fresh parsley Freshly ground pepper

Instructions

  1. Make the dressing: Pulse the parsley, tarragon, lemon juice and mustard in a mini food processor to make a coarse paste. Add the buttermilk, mayonnaise and olive oil; pulse until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  2. Make the salad: Prepare a large bowl of salted ice water. Toast the almonds in a small dry skillet over low heat, about 4 minutes; transfer to a plate and let cool. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus and cook until just tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to the ice water; let cool. Drain again and pat dry; transfer to a large bowl.
  3. Add the lettuce, watercress, radishes, chicken, feta cheese, parsley and half of the toasted almonds to the bowl. Drizzle with about half of the dressing and season with salt and pepper; toss. Sprinkle with the remaining toasted almonds and serve with the remaining dressing.