If there’s one salad that feels like sunshine in a bowl, it’s the Blackberry Balsamic Grilled Chicken Salad with Crispy Fried Goat Cheese. This vibrant medley combines juicy grilled chicken glazed with a sweet-tangy blackberry balsamic sauce, bursts of fresh blackberries, crunchy veggies, and gloriously crisp fried goat cheese rounds. Whether you’re prepping for a relaxed weeknight dinner or want to impress friends at a summer picnic, this salad is a show-stopper that always garners rave reviews. It brings color, texture, and unforgettable flavor to your table with every crunchy, creamy, berry-bright bite.

Blackberry Balsamic Grilled Chicken Salad with Crispy Fried Goat Cheese Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Surprisingly simple ingredients come together to make this salad shine. Each one adds its own flair—whether it’s the juicy berries, golden goat cheese, or the subtle punch of fresh herbs, they all play a key role in creating something extraordinary.

Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken cooks quickly and takes on the sweet-tangy marinade beautifully.
Blackberry Preserves: Adds rich, fruity sweetness and natural color to the marinade and dressing.
Balsamic Vinegar: Deep, slightly sweet acidity balances the berries and brings out the flavor of the chicken.
Olive Oil: Helps meld all the flavors in the vinaigrette while keeping the chicken juicy.
Dijon Mustard: Offers subtle spice and helps emulsify the dressing perfectly.
Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning all layers of the salad.
Mixed Salad Greens: A crisp, leafy base for all those delicious toppings—use your favorites!
Fresh Blackberries: Plump, juicy, and packed with antioxidants—these jewels are sweet-tart and refreshing.
Red Onion: Thinly sliced for a mild bite and a gorgeous pop of color.
Pecans (optional): Toasted nuts add irresistible crunch and a touch of buttery richness.
Fresh Basil (optional): Bright, herbal notes for a final flourish of flavor and color.
Goat Cheese: Soft, tangy, and creamy, it’s the star of the crispy fried rounds.
All-Purpose Flour: The first layer for breading the goat cheese to create a sturdy crust.
Egg: Beaten to help the panko really stick to the cheese rounds.
Panko Breadcrumbs: These crunchy Japanese-style crumbs fry up golden and crisp for unbeatable texture.
Oil for Frying: A little goes a long way to get that crave-worthy, crispy goat cheese bite.

How to Make Blackberry Balsamic Grilled Chicken Salad with Crispy Fried Goat Cheese

Step 1: Whip Up the Blackberry Balsamic Marinade and Dressing

Start by whisking together blackberry preserves, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and black pepper in a small bowl. Split the mixture in half—one part becomes your irresistible chicken marinade, and the other half is reserved for drizzling over your finished salad. This dual-purpose dressing ties every component together beautifully.

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

Place the chicken breasts in a resealable bag or shallow dish and pour over half of the prepared marinade. Let it soak in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (you can marinate up to 4 hours, if you like). The chicken will soak up all those sweet-tangy notes, resulting in tender, flavor-packed bites after grilling.

Step 3: Grill the Chicken

Fire up your grill or grill pan over medium heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard any remaining liquid. Grill for about 6–7 minutes per side, making sure the chicken is cooked through with gorgeous grill marks. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes to lock in the juices, then slice into strips perfect for topping your salad.

Step 4: Prep the Crispy Fried Goat Cheese

While the chicken rests, get ready to give your salad that irresistible crunch. Form the goat cheese into thick ½-inch rounds. Dredge each slice in flour, dip in beaten egg, then press into panko breadcrumbs until well coated. For the best results, chill your breaded rounds for about 10 minutes to help them keep their shape while frying.

Step 5: Fry the Goat Cheese

Pour enough oil into a skillet to reach about ¼ inch deep and heat over medium. Fry the goat cheese rounds for 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown and seriously crisp. Drain them on paper towels—these are the craveable bites that will make your Blackberry Balsamic Grilled Chicken Salad with Crispy Fried Goat Cheese truly unforgettable.

Step 6: Assemble the Salad

Now, for the fun part! Arrange your mixed greens in a large bowl or platter, then artfully top with warm sliced grilled chicken, plump blackberries, slivers of red onion, toasted pecans, and a shower of fresh basil. Drizzle generously with the reserved blackberry balsamic dressing and perch those golden fried goat cheese rounds right on top. Every forkful is a masterpiece of flavor and texture!

How to Serve Blackberry Balsamic Grilled Chicken Salad with Crispy Fried Goat Cheese

Garnishes

Finish your salad with a few extra fresh blackberries, a sprinkle of chopped pecans, and some torn basil leaves. For an added pop of color, a scattering of edible flowers is always a stunning touch. These simple garnishes add freshness, crunch, and visual wow-factor—making your Blackberry Balsamic Grilled Chicken Salad with Crispy Fried Goat Cheese just as pretty as it is delicious.

Side Dishes

While this salad is satisfyingly hearty on its own, it pairs beautifully with a fresh baguette, crisp crostini, or even a cornmeal muffin. You can also serve it alongside a summery soup like chilled cucumber or gazpacho for a complete lunch or dinner spread. The flavors of the Blackberry Balsamic Grilled Chicken Salad with Crispy Fried Goat Cheese play nicely with almost any seasonal side.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, serve the salad family-style on a big platter so guests can help themselves. Or, for a fun twist, layer the salad into wide-mouthed mason jars for portable picnic fare. If you’re hosting a fancy luncheon, stack the salad in individual bowls with one golden fried goat cheese round perched right on top for an appetizer that will steal the show.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with extra Blackberry Balsamic Grilled Chicken Salad with Crispy Fried Goat Cheese, store the salad components separately when possible. Keep the greens, chicken, dressing, and goat cheese rounds in airtight containers in the refrigerator—this way, everything stays fresh and crisp, and you can assemble right before eating.

Freezing

The goat cheese rounds are freezer-friendly! After breading, freeze them in a single layer until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag. When you’re ready to enjoy the salad again, simply fry the goat cheese straight from the freezer—they’ll taste just as delicious and hold their shape wonderfully.

Reheating

To restore the crispy perfection of the goat cheese, warm the rounds in a toaster oven or skillet over medium heat for a minute or two per side. Avoid microwaving, as that can make them lose their crunch. The grilled chicken can be gently reheated in the microwave or skillet, but it’s also great served cold for a quick and tasty leftover salad.

FAQs

Can I make Blackberry Balsamic Grilled Chicken Salad with Crispy Fried Goat Cheese gluten-free?

Absolutely! Swap in a good gluten-free flour and gluten-free panko for the goat cheese breading. You’ll enjoy all the textures and flavors without any gluten concerns.

How do I make the salad vegetarian?

Simply leave out the grilled chicken, and pile on extra berries, nuts, avocado, or even grilled veggies for a satisfying vegetarian version. The crispy fried goat cheese is the real star, so you won’t miss the meat!

Can I bake the goat cheese instead of frying?

Yes! Place the breaded goat cheese rounds on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spritz with olive oil, and bake at 425°F (220°C) for 7–10 minutes until golden. This method is a little lighter but still gives you good crunch and flavor.

What other fruits can I use if I don’t have blackberries?

Fresh raspberries, strawberries, or even sliced peaches work beautifully as substitutes. Each fruit pairs well with balsamic and goat cheese, so feel free to play with what’s in season.

How far in advance can I assemble the salad?

To keep greens crisp and goat cheese rounds crunchy, assemble the Blackberry Balsamic Grilled Chicken Salad with Crispy Fried Goat Cheese just before serving. Most components—dressing, marinated chicken, even goat cheese rounds (pre-fry)—can be prepped ahead and stored separately, making last-minute assembly a breeze.

Final Thoughts

Bursting with color and bold flavors, Blackberry Balsamic Grilled Chicken Salad with Crispy Fried Goat Cheese is proof that a salad can be so much more than an afterthought. Go ahead—gather your favorite ingredients, savor every fresh bite, and share this fabulous dish with friends and family. You’ll want to make it again and again!

Blackberry Balsamic Grilled Chicken Salad with Crispy Fried Goat Cheese Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 18 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Blackberry Balsamic Grilled Chicken Salad with Crispy Fried Goat Cheese is a delightful blend of flavors and textures that make for a satisfying and elegant meal. Grilled chicken marinated in a tangy blackberry balsamic dressing is paired with fresh greens, juicy blackberries, and a warm, crispy goat cheese topping.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Salad:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/3 cup blackberry preserves
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and black pepper, to taste
6 cups mixed salad greens
1 cup fresh blackberries
1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil (optional)

Crispy Fried Goat Cheese:

4 ounces goat cheese, cold and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
Oil for frying

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Instructions

Marinate the Chicken: In a small bowl, whisk together blackberry preserves, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Marinate chicken in half the mixture for at least 30 minutes. Reserve the remaining half for dressing.
Grill the Chicken: Preheat grill or grill pan over medium heat. Grill chicken for 6–7 minutes per side until cooked through. Slice and set aside.
Prepare the Fried Goat Cheese: Coat goat cheese rounds in flour, dip in egg, then coat with panko breadcrumbs. Chill for 10 minutes. Fry in oil until golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels.
Assemble the Salad: Place mixed greens on a platter. Top with grilled chicken, blackberries, red onion, pecans, and basil. Drizzle with reserved dressing. Add crispy goat cheese on top.