Chicken and Potato Crisp Salad with Watercress

8 servings

2 pounds small red potatoes, washed but not peeled
3/4 cup olive oil
2 teaspoons Kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 pounds onions, halved lengthwise and sliced ¼ inch thick
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 tablespoon grainy mustard
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (2 lemons)
1/3 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
6 cups cooked chicken, pulled into bite-sized pieces (I use chicken tenders)
2 bunches watercress, large stems removed
(optional) 2 ripe tomatoes, quartered, for garnish

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

2. Slice the potatoes 1/8 inch thick. (You can use a mandoline). Place in a bowl, add 3 tablespoons of the olive oil and toss until coated. Season with ½ teaspoon each of the salt and pepper.

3. Cover 3 baking sheets with aluminum foil and spray with vegetable spray. Arrange the potato slices in a single layer on the baking sheets and roast in the oven, 2 sheets at a time, for 10 minutes. Turn and switch the sheets and bake for 5 to 7 minutes longer, until browned around the edges and crisp. Loosen the potatoes from the sheets as soon as they are done and transfer to paper towels to cool. Repeat with the remaining potatoes.

4. Meanwhile, in a large casserole, heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil over moderate heat. Add the onions and ½ teaspoon of the salt. Cover tightly and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 10 minutes. Uncover, increase the heat to moderately high and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are well browned, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes longer.

5. In a bowl, combine the grainy and Dijon mustards with the lemon juice, parsley, rosemary and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Whisk in the remaining 1/3 cup olive oil. Set aside ¼ cup of this dressing.

6. Add the mustard-lemon dressing (less the ¼ cup) to the onions and stir well to blend, scraping up any browned bits adhering to the bottom of the casserole. Scrape the onion into a bowl. Add the chicken and potato crisps and toss well. Add additional olive oil by tablespoons if needed.

7. In a bowl, toss the watercress with the reserved ¼ cup dressing. Fold the watercress into the salad and serve.

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