Description
A vibrant and delicious Blackberry Balsamic Grilled Chicken Salad featuring juicy grilled chicken breasts, fresh mixed greens, and a tangy blackberry balsamic vinaigrette. Crispy fried goat cheese rounds add a luxurious texture and flavor, making this salad perfect for a refreshing summer meal or light dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 6 cups mixed greens (such as arugula, spinach, and baby romaine)
- 1 cup blackberries
- 1/4 cup red onion (thinly sliced)
- 1/4 cup pecans or walnuts (toasted)
- 1/4 cup cucumber (sliced)
For the Blackberry Balsamic Vinaigrette:
- 1/2 cup fresh blackberries
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Crispy Goat Cheese:
- 4 ounces goat cheese (chilled)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 egg (beaten)
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill over medium-high heat for 6–7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
- Make the dressing: In a blender or food processor, combine blackberries, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Fry the goat cheese: Slice the chilled goat cheese into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Dredge each round in flour, dip in beaten egg, then coat in panko breadcrumbs. Heat a small amount of oil in a skillet over medium heat and fry the goat cheese rounds for about 1–2 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl or on individual plates, layer the greens, blackberries, red onion, toasted nuts, and cucumber. Top with sliced grilled chicken and crispy goat cheese rounds. Drizzle with the blackberry balsamic vinaigrette and serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in some of the dressing before grilling.
- You can also use store-bought balsamic glaze if short on time.
- Freeze goat cheese slices for 10–15 minutes before breading to help them hold shape during frying.
