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4.4 from 30 votes

Strawberry Pecan Grilled Chicken Salad with Pecan Butter Vinaigrette

The grilled chicken is so JUICY and moist thanks to a homemade pecan butter marinade!! Sweet strawberries and crunchy pecans add extra texture and FLAVOR!!

Cook Time
mins
Additional Time
1 hr 50 mins
Total Time
2 hrs
Servings: 4
Calories: 481 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Salad
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Pecan Butter
  • 16 ounces Fisher Pecan Halves
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil or as needed
  • kosher salt to taste (I use 1 generous teaspoon)
Chicken Marinade
  • ½ cup pecan butter
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • about 1. 25 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast I used 1 large breast that I halved lengthwise
Salad
  • about 6 cups lettuce I used romaine; fresh spinach, baby kale, or your favorite greens may be substituted
  • ¾ cup halved and hulled fresh strawberries
  • ¾ cup Fisher Pecan Halves lightly toasted or candied if desired
  • ¾ cup shredded aged white cheddar cheese optional (aged manchego, feta, blue cheese, or your favorite cheese may be substituted)
  • ½ cup dried cranberries optional (raisins, dried blueberries, or another dried fruit may be substituted)
Pecan Butter Vinaigrette
  • ½ cup pecan butter
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons honey
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste

Instructions

Make the Pecan Butter:
    Cup of Yum
  1. To the canister of a large food processor (at least a 10 to 12-cup size) fitted with the S-blade, add the pecans, cover the canister, and turn to high power (Notes – I don’t recommend using a high-speed blender such as a VitaMix or Blendtec because I’ve burnt out motors. I have much better results in a food processor. If your food processor is smaller, you may need to do this in two batches).
  2. Allow the pecans to break down and they’ll go through various stages before turning into smooth pecan butter. As necessary stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  3. After allowing the pecans to process for about 5 minutes, my mixture was dry and that’s when I added 3 tablespoons olive oil. You may not need to add any, you may need to add more; add as necessary. Process another 3 minutes or until pecan butter is smooth.
  4. Add salt to taste and process briefly to incorporate.
Make the Chicken Marinade:
  1. Add all ingredients (you will have extra pecan butter, which you should set aside) to a large ziptop bag, seal bag, squish contents around to distribute evenly, and place in the fridge to marinate for at least 1 hour (overnight is best).
  2. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and oil the grates very well.
  3. Add the chicken, discard leftover marinade, and grill chicken for about 5 minutes on the first side and 3 to 4 minutes on the second side, or until done and cooked through and chicken reaches an internal temp of 165F.
  4. After chicken has cooked, remove it from grill and set on a plate to rest.
Assemble the Salad:
  1. To a large platter or serving bowl, add all the ingredients, slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces or strips and add it to the salad; set salad aside while you make the vinaigrette.
Make the Pecan Butter Vinaigrette:
  1. To glass jar with a lid, add all ingredients, cover with the lid, and shake vigorously to combine. Taste, check for flavor balance, and add more salt, pepper, honey, etc. if necessary to taste.
  2. Evenly drizzle vinaigrette over the salad, to taste, and serve immediately. Salad is best fresh.

Notes

  • Extra pecan butter and pecan butter vinaigrette will keep in the fridge for many weeks; however I store pecan butter and all homemade nut butters at room temp for many weeks but do as you’re comfortable with because there are no preservatives.
  • Tip: Add cinnamon and granulated sugar, to taste, to the extra pecan butter for cinnamon-sugar pecan butter; it’s delicious.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Calories 481kcal (24%) Carbohydrates 41g (14%) Protein 10g (20%) Fat 34g (52%) Saturated Fat 8g (40%) Polyunsaturated Fat 24g Cholesterol 30mg (10%) Sodium 445mg (19%) Fiber 7g (28%) Sugar 32g (64%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 481

% Daily Value*

Serving 1
Calories 481kcal 24%
Carbohydrates 41g 14%
Protein 10g 20%
Fat 34g 52%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Polyunsaturated Fat 24g 141%
Cholesterol 30mg 10%
Sodium 445mg 19%
Fiber 7g 28%
Sugar 32g 64%

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