Blackberry Balsamic Grilled Chicken Salad with Crispy Fried Goat Cheese Recipe
A vibrant and flavorful Blackberry Balsamic Grilled Chicken Salad featuring juicy grilled chicken marinated in a blackberry balsamic vinaigrette, topped with fresh blackberries, avocado slices, crunchy nuts, red onions, and crispy fried goat cheese for a delightful texture contrast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes to 12 hours (depending on marinating time)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Blackberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
- 1/2 cup blackberries
- 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon tamari or soy sauce
- 1 large clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Fried Goat Cheese
- 8 ounces goat cheese, sliced into 1/4 inch thick discs or formed into small balls
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (or regular breadcrumbs)
Salad
- 1/2 pound chicken breasts
- 6 cups lettuce
- 1 cup blackberries
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion, sliced
- 1/4 cup walnuts (or pistachios or almonds)
Instructions
- Prepare the Blackberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing: Place blackberries, white balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, tamari or soy sauce, minced garlic, salt, and pepper into a food processor or blender. Puree until smooth to create a vibrant and flavorful vinaigrette.
- Fry the Goat Cheese: Dredge each goat cheese slice or ball first in flour, then dip into the lightly beaten egg, and finally coat evenly with panko breadcrumbs. Heat oil over medium heat in a skillet and fry the coated goat cheese pieces until they are lightly golden brown on all sides. Remove and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish and cover with half of the prepared vinaigrette. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight, in the refrigerator to infuse flavor.
- Grill the Chicken: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the marinated chicken breasts for 2 to 5 minutes per side, until cooked through and slightly charred. Remove from grill and allow to rest before slicing.
- Assemble the Salad: Arrange lettuce on a large plate or bowl. Top with sliced grilled chicken, fresh blackberries, sliced avocado, red onion, and walnuts. Add the crispy fried goat cheese on top. Drizzle additional vinaigrette if desired and serve immediately.
- Optional: Add sriracha to the vinaigrette for a spicy kick before marinating or drizzling on the salad.
Notes
- Use tamari for a gluten-free option or soy sauce otherwise.
- Frying goat cheese requires careful attention to avoid burning; medium heat is best.
- Marinating the chicken overnight will deepen the flavor.
- Substitute walnuts with pistachios or almonds as preferred.
- Adding sriracha to the dressing adds a spicy flavor dimension.
Keywords: blackberry balsamic vinaigrette, grilled chicken salad, fried goat cheese, healthy salad, summer salad, berry dressing, crunchy salad toppings
