Ingredients

• 1  recipe Pimiento Cheese Dressing (recipe below)
• 3  hard-cooked eggs
• 2  skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1  egg
• 1  Tbsp. milk
• 1  tsp. bottled hot pepper sauce
• 1/3  cup all-purpose flour
• 3  Tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1  Tbsp. cider vinegar
• 1  tsp. snipped fresh oregano (optional)
• 1  15.8-oz. can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
• 1  large head butterhead (Boston or Bibb) lettuce, torn (8 cups)
• 1  red sweet pepper, cut in strips
• 1/2  cup pecan halves, toasted

Directions

1. Prepare Pimento Cheese Dressing; set aside. Halve eggs lengthwise and scoop out yolks. In a bowl mash yolks with a fork. Stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons Pimiento Cheese Dressing until smooth. Spoon yolk mixture into egg halves; set aside.

2. Place chicken in heavy-duty plastic bag (do not seal). Pound chicken lightly with meat mallet to even thickness of 1/2 inch. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. In shallow dish, beat together egg,milk, and hot pepper sauce. In another shallow dish, place flour. Dip chicken in egg mixture; dredge in flour. In large skillet heat 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add chicken; cook 6 minutes, turning once, or until golden and chicken is no longer pink (170 degrees F). Drain. Cool chicken slightly; cut in strips.

3. In bowl combine remaining oil, vinegar, and oregano. Add peas; toss to coat.

4. To serve, place lettuce on platter. Arrange chicken, peas, red pepper, pecans, and deviled eggs. Pass remaining Pimiento Cheese Dressing. Makes 6 servings.

Pimento Cheese Dressing: Let 1 cup finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese stand at room temperature 30 minutes. In bowl beat cheese and 1/2 cup mayonnaise with an electric mixer on medium to combine. Add 1/2 cup milk, one 2-oz. jar drained diced pimientos, 1/8 tsp. each cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Beat to mix.