Description
Celebrate the crisp flavors of autumn with this hearty and refreshing Fall Harvest Chicken Salad. Featuring succulent marinated chicken, smoky turkey bacon, sweet seasonal apples, and toasted pecans, this salad is balanced with a signature homemade maple Dijon dressing. It is a nutritious, soul-warming meal that is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or an elegant lunch, offering a delightful harmony of textures and flavors that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
6 cups mixed salad greens
2 crisp apples (such as Honeycrisp or Gala), sliced
1/2 cup pecans, toasted
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp stone-ground mustard
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and mustard to create the dressing.
Reserve half of the dressing for the salad, and use the other half to marinate the chicken breasts for at least 20 minutes.
Grill the marinated chicken breasts over medium heat until fully cooked through, then slice into strips.
In a large bowl, toss the salad greens with the reserved dressing.
Top the greens with sliced chicken, crumbled turkey bacon, apple slices, pecans, and dried cranberries.
Serve immediately while the chicken is still warm.
Notes
You can add pomegranate seeds for extra color and brightness. This salad stores well for lunch the next day if the dressing is kept on the side. Ensure turkey bacon is cooked until crisp for the best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 large bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg