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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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