Roasted Chicken, Pear & Walnut Chopped Salad
Warm roasted chicken breast pairs with toasted walnuts, fresh pears, and earthy beets over gem lettuce, finished with a maple-Dijon vinaigrette and creamy dolce gorgonzola. The combination of sweet maple syrup, tangy apple cider vinegar, and rich cheese creates a balanced, protein-packed salad suitable for lunch or light dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole walnuts
- 2 medium skinless chicken breasts
- 1 ⅓ tablespoon olive oil
- ⅓ tablespoon dried thyme
- salt
- pepper
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 head gem lettuce, choppedbutter lettuce1:1mildadds dairy
similar delicate texture
- 2 ripe pears, chopped
- 1 cup beet, chopped, pre-cooked
- ½ cup dolce gorgonzola, crumbledcrumbled blue cheese1:1pungentadds dairy
stronger flavor, similar creaminess
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350 F.
- 2
Spread walnuts on a medium oven tray and toast for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool.
- 3
Arrange chicken breasts in an oven dish, drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, season with thyme, salt, and pepper.
- 4
Bake for 25 minutes until cooked through. Rest and cool.
- 5
Combine maple syrup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, 1/3 cup olive oil, salt, and pepper in a jar. Secure lid and shake for 10 to 15 seconds until combined.
- 6
Chop cooled chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- 7
Chop cooled walnuts into pieces.
- 8
In a large bowl or on a platter, combine lettuce, pear, beet, Gorgonzola, chicken, and walnuts.
- 9
Drizzle dressing over salad and toss to coat immediately before serving.
Tips
Toast walnuts thoroughly to develop nutty flavor and ensure they crisp rather than soften in the salad.
Rest the cooked chicken before chopping to retain juices and ensure even cooking.
Shake the vinaigrette vigorously to fully emulsify the oil and vinegar.
Good to Know
Keep dressed salad covered in refrigerator for up to 2 hours. Store undressed components separately for up to 1 day.
Toast walnuts, roast chicken, and prepare vinaigrette up to 1 day ahead. Chop vegetables and assemble just before serving to prevent wilting and prevent pears from browning.
Serve at room temperature or chilled, depending on preference. Ensure dressing is applied immediately before serving to maintain lettuce crispness.
Common Mistakes
Do not over-bake chicken to avoid dryness; check at 25 minutes for doneness.
Do not assemble salad with dressing more than 10 minutes before serving to avoid soggy lettuce.
Do not skip cooling the chicken and walnuts to avoid wilting the greens.
Substitutions
stronger flavor, similar creaminess