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5.0 from 9 votes

Blackberry Grilled Chicken Salad with Fried Goat Cheese

The perfect salad to serve for a luncheon. A fresh salad with marinated blackberry grilled chicken with blackberry balsamic vinaigrette, fresh blackberries, pistachios, avocado and topped with crispy, creamy fried goat cheese!

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 882 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

BLACKBERRY VINAIGRETTE & MARINADE
  • 3/4 - 1 cup fresh blackberries washed and patted dry
  • 3 1/2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar or dark balsamic
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 1/2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons tamari sauce or soy sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • pepper couple grinds to taste
FOR THE SALAD
  • 1/2 lb chicken breasts boneless, skinless, (about 2 large breasts)
  • 6 cups spring baby greens or one small container, organic
  • 1 cup fresh blackberries washed and patted dry
  • 1-1 1/2 avocados peeled and sliced
  • 1/4 cup red onion sliced or try these [pickled red onions]
  • 1/4 cup pistachios or try walnuts, pecans, slivered almonds or toasted pine nuts
  • 3-4 lices Bacon crisp, cooked, crumbled
  • Fried Goat Cheese discs see below
FRIED GOAT CHEESE
  • 8 oz goat cheese sliced into 1/4 inch discs
  • 1/4 cup flour optional, regular or gluten free
  • 1 large egg slightly beaten
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs regular or gluten free

Instructions

FOR THE DRESSING & MARINADE
    Cup of Yum
  1. Place blackberries, vinegar, olive oil, honey, dijon, tamari, garlic, salt & pepper in blender or small bowl and blend until smooth - a few chunks are fine. Pour 1/3 dressing over the top of chicken to marinate. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or overnight.
  2. Refrigerate reserved dressing for salad.
SALAD & CHICKEN
  1. Once chicken has marinated, heat grill pan or grill to medium-high heat, brush or spray with a little oil and grill for 6-8 minutes per side if breasts are thick. Rotating 1/4 turn after 2 minutes if grillmarks are desired.
  2. Flip chicken and cook another 4-6 minutes. Remove to plate and allow to cool before slicing.
ASSEMBLE SALAD
  1. Place generous handful of spring mix on each plate. Slice and arrange avocado slices on side of lettuce. Arrange 1/4 of the chicken slices onto lettuce. Toss some blackberries (5-8 depending on how big they are) on salad. Sprinkle on some pistachios. Slice some red onions and place on greens (or use pickled red onions)
FRIED GOAT CHEESE
  1. Slice goat cheese into 1/4 inch discs. Heat pan with a couple tablespoons oil (olive or avocado oils work nicely). Dredge goat cheese disc in egg wash, flour (optional) and panko breadcrumbs and carefully place in hot oil.
  2. Repeat with remaining goat cheese discs. Fry until golden, then turn to crisp other side. Remove from pan to paper towels to drain for 1 minute, then place 2 discs on each salad. Drizzle with reserved Blackberry Balsamic Vinaigrette and serve immediately

Notes

  • If chicken is still pink in center when you slice it, toss back in a hot pan and stir around for a minute or microwave for 20-30 second intervals until no longer pink.
  • Other berries may be substituted, try sliced strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries. Also try toasted walnuts, sweet pecans, slivered almonds, or pine-nuts.
  • GLUTEN FREE | To make GF, substitute GF flour and Panko or breadcrumbs.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 882kcal (44%) Carbohydrates 71g (24%) Protein 33g (66%) Fat 54g (83%) Saturated Fat 16g (80%) Polyunsaturated Fat 6g Monounsaturated Fat 26g Trans Fat 0.03g Cholesterol 133mg (44%) Sodium 1356mg (57%) Potassium 886mg (25%) Fiber 11g (44%) Sugar 22g (44%) Vitamin A 956IU (19%) Vitamin C 23mg (26%) Calcium 140mg (14%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 882

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 882kcal 44%
Carbohydrates 71g 24%
Protein 33g 66%
Fat 54g 83%
Saturated Fat 16g 80%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6g 35%
Monounsaturated Fat 26g 130%
Trans Fat 0.03g 2%
Cholesterol 133mg 44%
Sodium 1356mg 57%
Potassium 886mg 19%
Fiber 11g 44%
Sugar 22g 44%
Vitamin A 956IU 19%
Vitamin C 23mg 26%
Calcium 140mg 14%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.