Blackberry Balsamic Chicken Salad Recipe

Introduction

This Blackberry Balsamic Chicken Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish perfect for a light lunch or dinner. Juicy chicken, sweet blackberries, and a tangy balsamic dressing come together to create a delightful balance of tastes and textures.

Ingredients

• ½ pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 6 cups spring mix lettuce
• 1 cup fresh blackberries
• 1 medium avocado, sliced
• ¼ cup red onion, sliced
• ¼ cup chopped walnuts
• ½ cup fresh blackberries (for dressing)
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the chicken breasts until fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove from heat and tent with foil to rest.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, add the spring mix lettuce. Arrange the blackberries, sliced avocado, red onion, and chopped walnuts on top.
3. Step 3: Prepare the dressing by combining ½ cup fresh blackberries, Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, and soy sauce in a medium bowl. Use a fork to mash the blackberries and whisk everything together until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Step 4: Slice the rested chicken breasts and place over the salad. Drizzle with the blackberry balsamic dressing and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in a little balsamic vinegar and olive oil before cooking.
• Substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds for a different crunch.
• Use frozen blackberries if fresh are unavailable, just thaw and drain excess liquid before using.
• Add crumbled goat cheese or feta for a creamy contrast.

Storage

Store leftover salad components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing refrigerated and add just before serving. Reheat cooked chicken gently or serve cold for best texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use grilled chicken instead of sautéed chicken?

Yes, grilled chicken works perfectly in this salad and adds a nice smoky flavor.

Is this salad suitable for meal prep?

It can be prepped in advance by storing the lettuce, toppings, chicken, and dressing separately. Assemble just before eating to keep everything fresh.

Blackberry Balsamic Chicken Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 92 reviews

A fresh and vibrant Blackberry Balsamic Chicken Salad featuring tender sautéed chicken breasts, crisp spring mix lettuce, juicy blackberries, creamy avocado, crunchy walnuts, and a tangy homemade blackberry balsamic dressing. Perfect for a healthy and flavorful meal that combines sweet, savory, and tangy notes.

• Author: Grace
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Salad

• ½ pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 6 cups spring mix lettuce
• 1 cup fresh blackberries
• 1 medium avocado, sliced
• ¼ cup red onion, sliced
• ¼ cup chopped walnuts

For the Dressing

• ½ cup fresh blackberries
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Cook chicken. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the boneless, skinless chicken breasts until fully cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side depending on thickness. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safety.
2. Rest chicken. Remove the chicken from the skillet and tent loosely with foil. Let it rest for about 5 minutes while preparing the rest of the salad to retain juices.
3. Assemble salad base. In a large bowl, add the spring mix lettuce as the base. Arrange the fresh blackberries, sliced avocado, red onion, and chopped walnuts evenly on top of the greens.
4. Make dressing. In a medium bowl, combine ½ cup fresh blackberries, Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, honey, and soy sauce. Use a fork to mash the blackberries to release their juices, then whisk thoroughly to emulsify the dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Slice chicken and dress salad. Thinly slice the rested chicken breasts and arrange over the prepared salad. Drizzle the blackberry balsamic dressing evenly on top.
6. Serve immediately. Toss lightly if desired and serve the salad fresh for best flavor and texture.

Notes

• Use fresh blackberries for the best flavor and juice release in the dressing.
• You can substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds if preferred.
• If soy sauce is a concern for sodium, use a low-sodium version or omit it altogether.
• For a more intense flavor, marinate the chicken briefly in a little balsamic vinegar and olive oil before cooking.
• This salad is best served immediately; the dressing can cause greens to wilt if left too long.

Keywords: blackberry chicken salad, balsamic chicken salad, spring mix salad with chicken, healthy chicken salad, berry vinaigrette salad