Sweet Tangy Blackberry Chicken Salad (Printable)
Grilled chicken on greens with blackberries, avocado, toasted nuts and a vibrant sweet-tangy blackberry vinaigrette.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
→ Salad
06 - 6 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, or spring mix)
07 - 1 cup fresh blackberries
08 - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
09 - 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese or feta (optional)
10 - 1/2 cup toasted pecans or walnuts
11 - 1 avocado, sliced
→ Blackberry Vinaigrette
12 - 1/2 cup fresh blackberries
13 - 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
14 - 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
15 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
16 - 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
17 - Salt and pepper to taste
# How-To Steps:
01 - Set a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat and allow it to come to temperature.
02 - Coat the chicken breasts evenly with olive oil, sea salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Sear or grill for 6 to 7 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
03 - Combine fresh blackberries, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and extra-virgin olive oil in a small blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting sweetness or acidity as desired.
04 - Arrange the mixed greens in a large salad bowl. Layer the sliced chicken, remaining fresh blackberries, red onion, crumbled cheese if using, toasted nuts, and sliced avocado evenly over the greens.
05 - Drizzle the blackberry vinaigrette generously over the assembled salad. Toss gently to coat all ingredients without bruising the greens, and serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The blackberry vinaigrette is sweet, tangy, and deeply purple in a way that makes every bowl feel like a celebration.
- It comes together in about half an hour with no fussy techniques.
- The combination of juicy chicken, creamy avocado, and tart berries is genuinely addictive.
02 -
- Dont skip resting the chicken or all those juices end up pooling on your cutting board instead of staying in the meat.
- The vinaigrette will thicken slightly in the fridge and tastes even better the next day if you have leftovers.
03 -
- Freeze extra blackberries on a parchment-lined sheet pan, then bag them so you can make this vinaigrette year round.
- A tiny pinch of salt in the dressing brings out the berry flavor more than extra honey ever will.