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Harvest Chicken Salad

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A vibrant autumn-inspired salad featuring tender chicken, mixed greens, crunchy pecans, sweet apples, and tangy cranberries, all drizzled with a homemade vinaigrette.

Ingredients

  • Cooked Chicken Breast: About 2 cups, diced or shredded
  • Mixed Greens: Approximately 4 cups
  • Apples: 1-2 medium-sized, cored and sliced
  • Pecans: ½ cup, toasted
  • Dried Cranberries: ½ cup
  • Feta Cheese: ½ cup, crumbled (optional)
  • Vinaigrette: ¼ cup (Homemade or store-bought)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: If you haven’t done so already, cook your chicken breast by grilling, poaching, or roasting it. For grilling, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. Cook for about 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Let it rest before shredding.
  2. Toast the Pecans: In a dry skillet over medium heat, add your pecans. Toast them for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently until they are golden and fragrant.
  3. Prepare the Greens: In a large bowl, add your mixed greens. Ensure they are clean and dry for the best texture.
  4. Slice the Apples: Core the apples and slice them thinly. For an extra coat of flavor, you can toss them in a bit of lemon juice to prevent browning.
  5. Mix the Ingredients: Add the diced chicken, sliced apples, toasted pecans, cranberries, and feta cheese (if using) to the greens. Make sure everything is evenly distributed.
  6. Make the Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, and 1 tablespoon of honey.
  7. Toss the Salad: Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad ingredients and toss gently until everything is coated.
  8. Serve: Plate the salad in individual bowls or on a large serving platter and garnish with additional pecans or cranberries if desired.

Notes

Feel free to add roasted vegetables or substitute chicken with chickpeas for a vegan option. Keep extra vinaigrette on the side to maintain freshness.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken salad, autumn salad, healthy salad, fall recipes, lunch ideas

Find it online: https://basilboard.com/harvest-chicken-salad-15-minute-meal-prep-2/