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
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.
Notes
- You can make the goat cheese rounds ahead and freeze them until ready to fry.
- Substitute walnuts for pecans or add avocado for extra creaminess.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
