There’s the kind of chicken salad I want to eat in a sandwich (heavy on the mayo and celery, please), and there’s the kind I want to lazily pick at over the course of an hours-long chic summer lunch. This recipe is my Platonic ideal of the latter. The tender poached chicken breast is a perfect contrast to the fresh crunch of blanched green beans and sweet corn (snap peas, radishes, or cucumbers would be right at home here too). The pot of boiling salted water does double-duty here: first, getting the green beans crisp-tender, then serving as a gentle bath for the chicken breast. The creamy, green, herb-packed goddess dressing and generous shower of fried shallots on top keep things feeling healthyish not austere. —Christina Chaey
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What you’ll need
Blender
$45 $40 At Amazon
Spider
$12 $9 At Amazon
Microplane Grater
$17 At Amazon
Citrus Juicer
$15 At Amazon
Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls, Set of 6
$29 At Amazon
Slotted Spoon
$16 At Amazon
Large Pot
$50 $37 At Amazon
Recipe information
Yield
4 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Cook green beans in a large pot of boiling heavily salted water 30 seconds. Add corn and cook until beans are bright green and crisp-tender and corn is just barely tender, about 15 seconds. Using a spider or slotted spoon, transfer vegetables to a medium bowl of ice water; keep pot of water boiling. Let vegetables cool, then drain and transfer to a large bowl.
Step 2
Add chicken to pot; return water to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and cook at a bare simmer until juices run clear when thickest part of chicken is pierced with the tip of a small knife (an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of chicken should register 150°; internal temperature will climb to 160° as chicken rests), 20–25 minutes for skin-on, bone-in breasts; 10–15 minutes for skinless, boneless breasts. Transfer chicken to a plate; let cool slightly. Shred meat into big pieces; discard skin and bones if present. Add shredded meat to bowl with vegetables.
Step 3
Purée anchovy, avocado, oil, sour cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, vinegar, ½ cup herbs, and ¼ cup water in a blender, adding more water to thin if needed, until smooth and thick (dressing should be the consistency of heavy cream); season with salt and pepper. Taste and add more lemon juice, salt, and/or pepper if needed (dressing should be bright and acidic).
Step 4
Toss chicken and vegetables with half of dressing, half of fried shallots, and ¼ cup herbs. Arrange lettuce on a platter; mound chicken salad on top. Drizzle with more dressing. Top with more herbs and remaining fried shallots. Serve with remaining dressing alongside.
Do ahead: Chicken can be cooked and shredded 3 days ahead. Transfer to an airtight container; cover and chill.
