Description
This Blackberry Balsamic Grilled Chicken Salad combines the tangy sweetness of blackberries and the rich flavor of balsamic dressing in a fresh, hearty salad. It’s an excellent choice for a nutritious meal that doesn’t compromise on taste.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Grilled Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
For the Crispy Fried Goat Cheese:
- 4 oz goat cheese, chilled and sliced into rounds
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- Oil for frying
For the Salad:
- 6 cups mixed greens (such as spinach, arugula, and/or spring mix)
- 1 cup blackberries
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1 ripe avocado, sliced
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
For the Balsamic Vinaigrette:
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Marinate the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, and minced garlic. Pour the marinade over the chicken breasts and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Prepare the Goat Cheese: Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten egg, and one with breadcrumbs. Dredge each slice of goat cheese in flour, then dip it in the beaten egg, and finally coat it with breadcrumbs. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat and fry the coated goat cheese slices until golden brown and crispy on both sides. Remove from the skillet and set aside on paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Grill the Chicken: Grill the marinated chicken breasts for 6-8 minutes on each side, or until they are cooked through and have grill marks. Remove from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before slicing them thinly.
- Make the Vinaigrette: Whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine mixed greens, blackberries, raspberries, sliced avocado, chopped walnuts, and thinly sliced red onion.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Serve: Divide the salad onto serving plates, top each portion with sliced grilled chicken, and garnish with crispy fried goat cheese rounds.
Notes
- Substitute blueberries or raspberries if blackberries are not available.
- For a vegan version, replace chicken with grilled tofu and omit the feta cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 290 per serving
- Sugar: 8g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g