Juicy Blackberry Balsamic Chicken & Crispy Goat Cheese Salad Recipe

Summer’s bounty bursts with flavor in this tantalizing blackberry balsamic chicken salad that promises a gourmet experience.

Sweet berries mingle with a rich balsamic glaze, creating a symphony of tastes that dance across your palate.

Tender chicken breasts, perfectly seared and drizzled with a luxurious reduction, complement the crisp greens.

Creamy goat cheese adds a delightful tang and smooth texture to each bite.

The salad brings together contrasting flavors and textures that make every forkful an exciting culinary adventure.

Fresh ingredients transform an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

You’ll fall in love with this restaurant-worthy dish that’s surprisingly simple to create at home.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 600 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need for Blackberry Balsamic Chicken & Crispy Goat Cheese Salad

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that forms the hearty core of the dish, select fresh, high-quality cuts for best flavor and texture.
• Goat Cheese: Creamy, tangy cheese that adds luxurious richness, choose artisanal varieties for more complex taste.

• Flour: Creates a smooth base layer for breading, opt for all-purpose for consistent texture.
• Egg: Helps breadcrumbs adhere perfectly, select fresh, room-temperature eggs.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: Provides incredible crunch and golden exterior, choose Japanese-style for extra crispiness.

• Mixed Lettuce Greens: Fresh, vibrant base that adds nutritional variety, select crisp, seasonal mix.
• Blackberries: Delivers sweet-tart burst, pick plump, deeply colored berries for maximum flavor.
• Avocado: Adds creamy richness and healthy fats, choose ripe but firm fruit.
• Red Onion: Provides sharp, zesty accent, slice thinly for gentle flavor integration.
• Walnuts: Introduces nutty crunch and earthy undertones, select fresh, unbroken pieces.
• White Balsamic Vinegar: Creates bright, tangy dressing base, choose high-quality for balanced acidity.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Smooth dressing foundation, select cold-pressed for robust flavor.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and smooth texture, use local, pure varieties.
• Dijon Mustard: Provides depth and slight heat, choose smooth, high-quality brand.

Equipment List for Blackberry Balsamic Chicken & Crispy Goat Cheese Salad

• Blender: Essential for creating smooth, creamy blackberry balsamic vinaigrette.
• Grill or Grill Pan: Perfect for achieving charred, juicy chicken with beautiful grill marks.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Ideal for tossing salad ingredients and combining with vinaigrette.
• Skillet: Great for frying crispy goat cheese to golden perfection.
• Cutting Board: Needed for slicing chicken, avocado, and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise ingredient preparation.
• Paper Towels: Used to drain excess oil from fried goat cheese.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Help ensure accurate ingredient proportions.
• Shallow Dishes: Useful for breading goat cheese and egg dipping.

Instructions for Blackberry Balsamic Chicken & Crispy Goat Cheese Salad

• Vinaigrette Magic

Blend fresh blackberries with tangy balsamic, smooth olive oil, golden honey, zesty mustard, rich tamari, sharp garlic, and a whisper of salt and pepper until silky.

• Chicken Seduction

Allow chicken breasts to luxuriate in half the vibrant vinaigrette, letting flavors mingle and dance for 30 minutes or overnight.

• Crispy Cheese Transformation

Transform goat cheese into golden treasures by coating in flour, bathing in egg, then rolling in crunchy breadcrumbs. Fry until perfectly bronzed and drain on soft paper.

• Flame-Kissed Chicken

Grill marinated chicken over sizzling heat, creating char marks and ensuring tender, juicy perfection with quick 2-5 minute turns.

• Salad Symphony

Toss crisp lettuce with bursting blackberries, creamy avocado, sharp red onion, and crunchy walnuts. Crown with grilled chicken and those irresistible cheese gems, drizzling remaining vinaigrette for a flavor explosion.

Flavor and Texture Tips for the Salad

• Flavor-Boosting Marinade Trick: Let chicken soak longer for deeper blackberry balsamic taste, with some cooks recommending up to 8 hours for maximum flavor infusion.
• Cheese Crispiness Hack: Freeze goat cheese rounds for 15 minutes before breading to help them maintain shape and create an extra-crunchy exterior when frying.
• Vegetarian Swap Option: Replace chicken with grilled portobello mushrooms or tofu, which absorb the vibrant blackberry balsamic marinade beautifully and provide a satisfying protein alternative.
• Wine Pairing Suggestion: Complement this dish's sweet-tangy profile with a light Pinot Noir or crisp Sauvignon Blanc that highlights the blackberry and balsamic notes.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare vinaigrette and marinate chicken a day in advance to streamline meal preparation and enhance overall flavor development.

Serving Blackberry Balsamic Chicken & Goat Cheese Salad

• Berry Brunch Brilliance: Transform this dish into a stunning weekend brunch centerpiece by serving with crisp mimosas and fresh croissants.
• Elegant Dinner Party Flair: Present the salad on a large wooden board, allowing guests to create their own plate with beautifully arranged chicken, goat cheese, and vibrant blackberries.
• Picnic Perfect Protein: Pack components separately in mason jars for a gourmet outdoor meal – keep crispy goat cheese and chicken chilled until ready to assemble.
• Wellness Bowl Remix: Swap lettuce for quinoa or brown rice as a hearty base, creating a nutritious grain bowl that's packed with protein and fresh flavors.

Storage Guidelines for the Salad

• Smart Storage Solutions: Refrigerate leftover chicken and salad components separately in airtight containers for maximum freshness, keeping them viable for 3-4 days.
• Crispy Cheese Restoration: Reheat breaded goat cheese in a toaster oven or air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes to maintain crispiness and prevent soggy texture.
• Vinaigrette Longevity: Store remaining blackberry balsamic dressing in a sealed glass jar within the refrigerator, which stays delicious for up to one week when chilled.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare chicken, goat cheese, and chopped salad ingredients ahead of time, allowing quick assembly during busy weeknights for convenient, gourmet dining.

Succulent Blackberry Balsamic Chicken & Crispy Goat Cheese Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Tangy blackberry balsamic chicken creates a delightful harmony with crispy goat cheese salad. Succulent flavors merge in this Mediterranean-inspired dish that delights palates and offers a perfect balance of sweet, savory elements you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 cups mixed lettuce greens
• ½ lb (226 g) chicken breasts
• 1 cup fresh blackberries
• 1 ripe avocado, sliced
• 8 oz (226 g) goat cheese
• ¼ cup chopped walnuts
• ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup flour
• 1 large egg, beaten
• ½ cup blackberries (for dressing)
• 2 tbsps white balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsps honey
• 2 tsps Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp tamari or soy sauce
• 1 large clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Vinaigrette Creation: Blend blackberries, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, dijon mustard, tamari, minced garlic, salt, and pepper into a silky, vibrant dressing until completely smooth and integrated.
2. Chicken Marination: Immerse chicken breasts in half of the prepared vinaigrette, allowing flavor absorption for 30 minutes to overnight in the refrigerator for maximum taste infusion.
3. Goat Cheese Preparation: Coat goat cheese slices by first dusting with flour, dipping in beaten egg, and rolling in seasoned breadcrumbs to create a crispy exterior coating.
4. Cooking Sequence: Simultaneously heat a skillet with oil and preheat the grill to medium-high temperature; fry breaded goat cheese rounds until golden and crisp, then grill marinated chicken breasts until internal temperature reaches 165°F with distinctive char marks.
5. Salad Assembly: Construct a foundation of fresh lettuce, strategically layering blackberries, creamy avocado slices, thinly sliced red onion, and toasted walnuts, then crown with grilled chicken and crispy goat cheese medallions.
6. Final Touch: Generously drizzle remaining vinaigrette over the composed salad, ensuring every ingredient is lightly coated and visually appealing.

Notes

• Marinate Wisely: Let chicken soak in vinaigrette for at least 30 minutes to maximize flavor absorption, with overnight marinating delivering even more intense taste.
• Bread Goat Cheese Perfectly: Ensure a crispy coating by following the flour-egg-breadcrumb sequence, which creates a golden, crunchy exterior when fried.
• Check Chicken Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 165°F, guaranteeing safe and juicy grilled chicken.
• Balance Salad Textures: Combine crisp lettuce, creamy avocado, tangy blackberries, and crunchy walnuts for a multi-dimensional dining experience.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg