Description
Harvest Chicken Salad with Maple Dijon Dressing is a fresh, vibrant, and wholesome salad combining tender cooked chicken, crisp mixed greens, tart apple slices, chewy dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, and creamy goat cheese, all tossed in a tangy-sweet maple Dijon dressing. This flavorful and balanced dish is perfect for a healthy lunch, dinner, or snack.
Ingredients
For the Salad
- Cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed (about 2 cups)
- Mixed greens (lettuce, spinach, or arugula) – 4 cups
- Apple slices (thinly sliced) – 1 medium apple
- Dried cranberries – 1/4 cup
- Chopped toasted walnuts – 1/3 cup
- Crumbled goat cheese – 1/4 cup
For the Maple Dijon Dressing
- Maple syrup – 3 tablespoons
- Dijon mustard – 1 tablespoon
- Apple cider vinegar – 2 tablespoons
- Olive oil – 1/4 cup
- Salt – 1/2 teaspoon (or to taste)
- Black pepper – 1/4 teaspoon (or to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Start by cooking your chicken breast thoroughly—grilling, baking, or poaching works well—and then chop or shred it into bite-sized pieces for easy eating.
- Assemble the Greens and Add-Ins: In a large bowl, toss together your mixed greens, thinly sliced apples, dried cranberries, and toasted walnuts for that beautiful mix of crunch and sweetness.
- Whisk the Maple Dijon Dressing: In a small bowl, combine maple syrup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper, whisking until smooth and creamy; the dressing should balance tangy, sweet, and savory notes perfectly.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad and chicken mixture, then gently toss everything together until evenly coated and glistening with flavor.
- Add the Finishing Touch: Sprinkle crumbled goat cheese over the top to add a rich and tangy complement that rounds out the salad beautifully.
Notes
- Use Warm Chicken: Adding slightly warm chicken helps the dressing cling better to ingredients and enhances flavor absorption.
- Toast the Nuts: Lightly toasting walnuts before adding them boosts their flavor and adds crunch.
- Slice Apples Thinly: Thin apple slices blend texture seamlessly and prevent the salad from feeling too chunky.
- Balance the Dressing: Adjust the ratio of maple syrup and vinegar carefully for sweetness and acidity to suit your taste perfectly.
- Chill Before Serving: Let the salad rest in the fridge for 10 minutes to let flavors meld without sogginess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: Harvest chicken salad, maple Dijon dressing, healthy chicken salad, autumn salad, fresh chicken salad
