This “Nicoise-style” salad is my favorite entrée-style salad, healthy, delicious and is made in 30 minutes with some “ready to use” purchased items.

Serves 4

1 roasted chicken (purchased because of time OR roasted the day before by you?)
***Quality canned tuna in oil is a nice alternative to the roasted chicken, also very French….
1 bunch asHparagus with tough ends trimmed
1 red onion-sliced
1 bunch radishes-sliced
 half pound fingerling or new potatoes
1-pint baby heirloom tomatoes
4 hard cooked eggs-peeled- (can be purchased this way to save time)-Sliced in half lengthwise
1 bunch/bag haricot vert (baby French green beans)
3 tablespoons nicoise olives-drained
1 package already roasted beets (or roast your own the day before)-Quartered
1 bag of power greens or 2 bunches of your favorite springtime lettuce
1 block or small container crumbled French feta cheese
Extra Virgin olive oil
1 bottle of your favorite classic vinaigrette
***Additional “throw in’s” if on hand; shelled edammame, English peas, Sugar Snaps…you name it….

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Rinse potatoes and toss in a bowl with 1-table spoon olive oil and season potatoes with salt and pepper. Put on small roasting pan and roast until tender. About 15 minutes. Remove and let cool. 

In a large saucepan filled ¾ full with water and a tablespoon of salt, bring the water to bowl…. (You will be blanching your asparagus and haricot vert) When water is almost boiling, throw in haricot vert for about 2 minutes, just until it turns vibrant green, then remove with large spoon and let drain/cool in colander…. repeat with the asparagus and let it drain in colander as well. 

Toss the greens “lightly” with your favorite bottled vinaigrette and place on plate. Place the vegetables decoratively on plate, each with their “own space” to shine. Pull roasted chicken meat away from bone and place pieces of shredded chicken breast or dark meat on top of vegetables.  Or Tuna if using tuna. 

Season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper…..Enjoy your Chicken/Tuna Salad Nicoise and feel good about salad night!