Description
Blackberry balsamic grilled chicken salad is a vibrant, flavorful dish that combines smoky grilled chicken, fresh greens, juicy blackberries, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy candied pecans, all brought together with a tangy blackberry balsamic vinaigrette. It’s perfect for healthy meals, summer gatherings, or weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup blackberry balsamic vinaigrette (for marinade + dressing)
- 6 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 cup fresh blackberries
- ½ cup goat cheese, crumbled
- ½ cup candied pecans
- 1 ripe avocado, sliced (optional)
Optional Substitutions:
- Swap chicken with grilled tofu, shrimp, salmon, or steak
- Replace blackberries with raspberries or blueberries
- Use feta or ricotta salata instead of goat cheese
- Use roasted seeds (sunflower/pumpkin) instead of nuts
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: Place chicken breasts in a dish or zip-top bag with ½ cup blackberry balsamic vinaigrette. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Grill Chicken: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill chicken for 5–7 minutes per side, or until cooked through with nice grill marks. Rest before slicing.
- Assemble Salad: On a large serving platter or in individual bowls, layer mixed greens, sliced grilled chicken, blackberries, goat cheese, candied pecans, and avocado (if using).
- Dress and Serve: Drizzle with remaining vinaigrette just before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs or sea salt if desired.
Notes
- For a low-carb option, omit candied pecans or serve over spinach or arugula.
- Add jalapeños, roasted corn, caramelized onions, or mint for more flavor.
- Use crispy fried goat cheese rounds for added decadence.
- Assemble components separately for meal prep, combining only when ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Salad
- Method: Grilled
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg