Grilled Chicken Salad with Almond Dressing and Fresh Fruit
A vibrant main course salad featuring seasoned chicken breast paired with sweet grapes and blueberries over mixed greens. The creamy almond butter dressing adds rich, nutty flavor while honey and orange juice provide bright sweetness. Perfect for lunch or light dinner, this protein-packed salad offers a satisfying balance of textures from crunchy almonds, juicy fruit, and tender chicken. The simple preparation makes it ideal for meal prep or quick weeknight meals.
Ingredients
- 8 oz boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into slices
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 2 cups grapes, cut in halfdried cranberries1/2:1fruit
reduces sweetness
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 3 cups mixed greens
- ½ cup almonds, chopped or crushed
- cooking fat
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 3 tbsp almond butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
- 3 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp stone-ground mustard
- ½ tbsp raw honey
- ½ garlic clove, minced
Instructions
- 1
Sprinkle chili powder over chicken and season with salt and pepper
- 2
Heat cooking fat in large skillet over medium-high heat
- 3
Add chicken to skillet and cook until golden, turning every few minutes to ensure even cooking
- 4
Remove chicken from heat and let cool before shredding by hand
- 5
Combine all dressing ingredients in bowl, stir well, and season to taste
- 6
In salad bowl, combine greens, grapes, blueberries, almonds, and chicken
- 7
Pour dressing over salad and serve
Tips
Let chicken cool completely before shredding to prevent the greens from wilting when mixed
Make dressing ahead and store in refrigerator for up to 3 days - whisk before using
Toast almonds in dry pan for 2-3 minutes for extra crunch and deeper flavor
Good to Know
Store assembled salad in refrigerator for up to 2 days, keeping dressing separate until serving
Prepare chicken and dressing up to 2 days ahead, assemble salad just before serving
Serve immediately after dressing to prevent greens from wilting
Common Mistakes
Don't overdress the salad to avoid soggy greens
Ensure chicken is fully cooled before adding to prevent wilting the greens
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I use rotisserie chicken instead?
Yes, use about 2 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken and skip the cooking steps. Remove skin and season with chili powder if desired.
What if I don't have stone-ground mustard?
Regular Dijon mustard works well as a substitute. Use the same amount for similar tangy flavor in the dressing.
How long will this salad keep?
Assembled salad keeps 1-2 days refrigerated, but greens may wilt. Store components separately for best quality up to 3 days.