Sweet Tangy Blackberry Chicken Salad (Print View)
Grilled chicken, fresh blackberries, avocado and toasted nuts on crisp greens with a sweet-tangy vinaigrette.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
→ Salad
06 - 6 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, or spring mix)
07 - 1 cup fresh blackberries
08 - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
09 - 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese or feta (optional)
10 - 1/2 cup toasted pecans or walnuts
11 - 1 avocado, sliced
→ Blackberry Vinaigrette
12 - 1/2 cup fresh blackberries
13 - 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
14 - 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
15 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
16 - 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
17 - Salt and pepper, to taste
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat a grill or skillet to medium-high heat.
02 - Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, sea salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Grill or sear for 6 to 7 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and chicken is cooked through. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.
03 - In a small blender or food processor, combine fresh blackberries, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and extra-virgin olive oil. Blend until smooth and emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
04 - Arrange mixed salad greens in a large bowl. Layer with sliced chicken, fresh blackberries, thinly sliced red onion, crumbled cheese if using, toasted nuts, and sliced avocado.
05 - Drizzle the blackberry vinaigrette over the assembled salad. Toss gently to combine and serve immediately.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The blackberry vinaigrette doubles as a marinade if you want even more berry punch in every bite.
- It comes together fast enough for a weeknight but looks like something you would serve at a garden party.
02 -
- Sliced chicken should rest at least five minutes before you cut it or every drop of juice ends up on your board instead of in your salad.
- The vinaigrette will thicken and turn jammy in the fridge, so whisk in a splash of water or vinegar to loosen it when you use leftovers.
03 -
- A slightly warm chicken breast over cold greens creates the best temperature contrast, so do not rush the resting step but do not let it go completely cold either.
- Smashing a few of the salad blackberries with your thumb before tossing them releases juices that mingle with the vinaigrette and makes every forkhead taste more intensely like summer.