Description
This Chicken Pear Salad with Walnuts and Feta combines juicy grilled chicken, sweet ripe pears, crunchy toasted walnuts, tangy feta cheese, and fresh mixed greens all tossed in a simple yet flavorful balsamic vinaigrette. The salad is a perfect light and satisfying meal, ideal for lunch or dinner, balancing fruity sweetness with savory and nutty accents.
Ingredients
Salad
- 2 cooked chicken breasts, sliced
- 6 cups mixed salad greens
- 2 ripe pears, thinly sliced
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ½ cup chopped walnuts, toasted
- ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
Balsamic Vinaigrette
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1½ tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is emulsified and well combined.
- Arrange the greens: Spread the mixed salad greens evenly on a large serving platter or divide them among individual serving bowls to create the salad base.
- Add toppings: Layer the sliced cooked chicken breasts, thinly sliced pears, crumbled feta cheese, toasted chopped walnuts, and thin red onion slices evenly over the greens.
- Drizzle dressing: Pour the balsamic vinaigrette evenly over the salad ingredients to ensure every bite is flavorful.
- Toss and serve: Gently toss the salad to combine the ingredients and redistribute the dressing, then serve immediately to maintain crispness of the greens.
Notes
- Toast the walnuts before adding to the salad for enhanced aroma and flavor.
- If pears are not available, substitute with crisp apples for a similar sweetness and texture.
- Assemble the salad just before serving to keep the greens fresh and crisp, preventing sogginess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
