3chicken breastsskinless chicken breasts (1 1/2 to 1 3/4 pounds)
Kosher salt
1tablespoonblack peppercorns
2bay leaves
1tablespoonextra-virgin olive oil
½medium white oniondiced
1tablespoontomato paste
1tablespooncurry powder
¼cupred wine
2tablespoonsmango chutney
Juice of 1/2 lemonabout 1 tablespoon
½cupmayonnaise
¼cupsour cream
¼cupchopped dried apricotsabout the size of a raisin
¼cuptoasted sliced almonds
¼cupcilantro leaveschopped
Instructions
Begin by poaching the chicken. Season the chicken generously on both sides with salt, then place in a single layer in a large pot. Add the peppercorns and 1 of the bay leaves. Pour cool water over the chicken until it is covered by about 1 inch. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the chicken from the poaching liquid and place on a plate to cool. Shred the chicken, by hand, into large pieces and set aside in a medium bowl.
For the sauce, heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until slightly darker in color, about 1 minute. Add the curry powder and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in the red wine, 1/4 cup water, mango chutney, lemon juice and remaining bay leaf and cook until slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Remove bay leaf.
Combine the mayonnaise and sour cream in a medium bowl using a rubber spatula. Add the cooled curry mixture and 1/2 teaspoon salt and stir to combine.
To finish the salad, mix the shredded chicken with the dried apricots and sliced almonds. Pour the sauce over the chicken mixture and gently coat the chicken with the sauce using a rubber spatula. Finish the salad by gently mixing in the cilantro.