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Grilled Chicken Salad with Seasonal Fruit

Make this delicious Grilled Chicken Salad with Strawberries & Pecans! Features tender grilled chicken, fresh fruit, and a homemade tangy blender vinaigrette.

Ingredients

Scale

Here’s the complete list of ingredients, with precise measurements:

  • 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
  • ½ cup pecans
  • ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • ½ onion, minced (about 1/4 to 1/2 cup minced)
  • 1 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
  • 2 heads Bibb lettuce – rinsed, dried and torn
  • 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
  • (Implied: Oil for grill grate)

These quantities yield 6 servings according to the recipe.

Have chicken ready for grilling and nuts for toasting

Instructions

Let’s create this fresh and flavorful salad:

1. Grill the Chicken:

  • Preheat your outdoor grill (or grill pan) to high heat. Lightly oil the grill grate to prevent sticking.
  • Season the chicken breast halves lightly with salt and pepper if desired (though the dressing is flavorful).
  • Place the chicken on the hot grill. Grill for about 6-8 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through (juices run clear when pierced, and internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C).
  • Remove the cooked chicken from the grill, let it cool slightly, then slice it into bite-sized strips or cubes. Set aside.

2. Toast the Pecans:

  • While the chicken grills or cools, place the pecans in a dry (unoiled) skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Cook, stirring or tossing frequently, until the pecans become fragrant and lightly toasted, about 3-8 minutes. Watch carefully as nuts can burn quickly.
  • Remove from heat immediately and set aside to cool. Roughly chop if desired, or leave as halves.

3. Make the Dressing:

  • In a blender, combine the red wine vinegar, white sugar, vegetable oil, minced onion, ground mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper.
  • Secure the lid and process on high speed until the dressing is completely smooth and emulsified. This may take 1-2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

4. Assemble the Salad:

  • Rinse, dry, and tear the Bibb lettuce leaves into bite-sized pieces. Arrange the lettuce on individual serving plates or in a large salad bowl.
  • Top the lettuce evenly with the sliced grilled chicken, sliced fresh strawberries, and the toasted pecans.

5. Dress and Serve:

  • Drizzle the prepared blender dressing generously over each salad just before serving.
  • Serve immediately and enjoy!

A beautiful, multi-layered salad ready to impress