Chicken Salad with Crème Fraîche and Rye

Ingredients

• •1 piece large skin-on, bone-in chicken breast (12-14 ounces)
• •4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• •1 to taste Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
• •¾ cup fresh fava beans (from about 3/4 pound pods) or frozen, thawed
• •½ bulb small fennel bulb, thinly sliced
• •1 piece scallion, thinly sliced
• •2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh tarragon
• •1 tablespoon Sherry vinegar
• •½ cup crème fraîche
• •½ piece small English hothouse cucumber, very thinly sliced lengthwise on a mandoline
• •¼ cup flat-leaf parsley leaves
• •½ teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• •2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• •8 slices Danish rye bread or other dense health bread, toasted if desired
• •1 to taste Flaky sea salt (such as Maldon)

Cooking Instructions

1. 1.

   Preheat oven to 425°. Place chicken on a small rimmed baking sheet and rub with 1 tablespoon oil; season with kosher salt and pepper. Roast until golden brown and cooked through, 25-30 minutes. Let cool, then shred into bite-size pieces.

   30 min

2. 2.

   If using fresh fava beans, cook in a large saucepan of boiling salted water until tender, about 4 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl of ice water. Drain and peel. (If using frozen fava beans, cook 2 minutes; transfer to a bowl of ice water, then drain.) Toss in a large bowl with fennel, scallion, tarragon, vinegar, chicken, and remaining 3 tablespoons oil; season with kosher salt, pepper, and more vinegar, if desired.

   10 min

3. 3.

   Meanwhile, whisk crème fraîche in a medium bowl to soft peaks (it will look fluffy); season with kosher salt.

   5 min

4. 4.

   Toss cucumber with parsley, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a small bowl; season with kosher salt and pepper.

   5 min

5. 5.

   Serve chicken salad with bread, cucumber, and a dollop of crème fraîche, topped with sea salt and more pepper.

   5 min

6. 6.

   Do ahead: Chicken can be cooked 2 days ahead; cover and chill. Shred just before using. Fava beans can be cooked 2 days ahead; cover and chill.