Italian Chicken and Panzanella Salad

Italian Chicken Marinade

Half a 16oz bottle Italian-style salad dressing
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Directions

1. In a shallow baking dish, mix the salad dressing, garlic powder, and salt. Place the chicken in the bowl, and turn to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator at least 4 hours. (For best results, marinate overnight.)
2. Preheat the grill for high heat or preheat a skillet.
3. Lightly oil skillet or grate. Discard marinade, and grill/cook chicken 8 minutes on each side, or until juices run clear.


Panzanella Salad (bruschetta in a bowl)

1 loaf Italian bread, torn into bite-size pieces
1/3 cup olive oil
kosher salt and pepper to taste
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
3 medium ripe tomatoes, cut into wedges
3-5 basil leaves, shredded
3-5 mint leaves, shredded
3 TBS red wine vinegar
¼ cup green onion diced
¼ cup olive oil
1 medium cucumber


Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
2. In a small bowl combine red wine vinegar and green onion
3. In a large bowl, toss bread with 1/3 cup olive oil, kosher salt, pepper, and garlic. Lay bread on a baking sheet, and toast in the preheated oven until golden, about 5 minutes; allow to cool slightly.
4. While the bread is in the oven, dice tomatoes and cucumber. Whisk 1/4 cup of olive oil into the red wine vinegar mixture.
5. Gently toss together the bread, tomatoes, cucumber, basil and mint. Toss with the red wine vinaigrette and let stand 5-10 minutes before serving.