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4 Recipe

Blackberry Balsamic Grilled Chicken Salad

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4.9 from 57 reviews

This delicious Blackberry Balsamic Grilled Chicken Salad combines juicy grilled chicken, crisp greens, creamy avocado, sweet blackberries, and tangy red onions. It’s finished with crispy fried goat cheese rounds and drizzled with a vibrant homemade blackberry balsamic vinaigrette. The perfect balance of sweet, savory, and crunchy, this salad is ideal for an elevated weeknight dinner or a special luncheon.

  • Total Time: 20 minutes (plus 30 minutes marinating)
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

For the Blackberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing:

  • 1/2 cup blackberries
  • 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon tamari or soy sauce
  • 1 large clove garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Fried Goat Cheese:

  • 8 ounces goat cheese (sliced into 1/4 inch thick discs or formed into small balls)
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (or regular breadcrumbs)
  • Oil, for frying

For the Salad:

  • 1/2 pound chicken breasts
  • 6 cups lettuce
  • 1 cup blackberries
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup walnuts, pistachios, or almonds

Instructions

  1. Make the Blackberry Balsamic Vinaigrette: Combine blackberries, white balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, tamari or soy sauce, garlic, salt, and pepper in a blender or food processor. Blend until completely smooth and emulsified, then set aside.
  2. Prepare and Fry the Goat Cheese: Form goat cheese into 1/4-inch discs or small balls. Dredge each piece in flour, dip in beaten egg, then coat thoroughly in panko breadcrumbs. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the goat cheese pieces until golden brown on all sides, about 1–2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels and set aside.
  3. Marinate and Grill the Chicken: Place chicken breasts in a dish or resealable bag. Pour half the prepared vinaigrette over the chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight in the refrigerator for best flavor). Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Grill the marinated chicken for 2–5 minutes per side, until just cooked through and slightly charred. Let rest a few minutes, then slice.
  4. Assemble the Salad: Arrange lettuce on a large serving platter or individual plates. Top with fresh blackberries, sliced avocado, red onion, and nuts. Add grilled chicken slices and crispy fried goat cheese rounds. Drizzle everything with the remaining blackberry balsamic vinaigrette. Enjoy immediately!

Notes

  • For a nut-free version, omit the nuts or substitute with seeds.
  • You can use regular balsamic vinegar if you do not have white balsamic.
  • Panko is recommended for extra crunch, but regular breadcrumbs work in a pinch.
  • Goat cheese can be kept in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before slicing to help it hold its shape while coating and frying.
  • Swap grilled chicken with grilled tofu or chickpeas for a vegetarian entree.
  • Author: ELLA
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Main-course
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: American, Contemporary
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 large salad (~1/4 of recipe)
  • Calories: 540
  • Sugar: 13g
  • Sodium: 540mg
  • Fat: 34g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 22g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 27g
  • Fiber: 6g
  • Protein: 32g
  • Cholesterol: 102mg