winter citrus chicken salad

After a week of feasting at holiday celebrations, we were craving something light and refreshing.  I headed to the grocer with my Food + Wine magazine in hand, and bought the ingredients for Mindy Fox's winter chicken salad.  I followed her recipe, but served the salad over a bed of spinach and added avocado.  It was bursting with flavor and left us feeling satisfied.
*images Megan.Christine

Winter Chicken Salad with Citrus and Celery

INGREDIENTS

1. 7 tender celery ribs, 6 thinly sliced
2. 2 unpeeled smashed garlic cloves
3. 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
4. 3 blood oranges
5. Salt
6. 4 chicken breast halves on the bone (about 12 ounces each)
7. 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
8. 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
9. Freshly ground pepper
10. 2 cups shaved Grana Padano cheese
11. 2/3 cup chopped Marcona almonds

12. DIRECTIONS

    1. In a large saucepan, combine the whole celery rib, garlic and peppercorns with 6 cups of water. Using a peeler, remove the zest from 2 of the oranges and add the zest to the pot. Season lightly with salt and bring to a boil. Add the chicken and simmer over low heat for 16 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the chicken stand for exactly 30 minutes. Remove the chicken and pull the meat from the bones, discarding the skin. Shred the chicken and let cool. Reserve the broth for another use.
    2. Meanwhile, using a sharp knife, peel the oranges, removing all of the bitter white pith. Working over a strainer set over a large bowl, cut in between the membranes to release the sections. Squeeze the juice from the membranes into the bowl. Whisk in the vinegar and oil and season with salt and pepper.
    3. Add the chicken, sliced celery, orange sections and cheese to the bowl and toss well. Mound the salad on a platter, sprinkle with the almonds and serve.