Spread the love

Elevate your summer meals with this blackberry balsamic chicken salad, a refreshing Grilled Chicken Salad featuring juicy blackberries, tender grilled chicken, and crispy fried goat cheese, tossed in a tangy blackberry balsamic vinaigrette. This Balsamic Chicken Salad is a perfect summer recipe for Independence Day celebrations or light dinners, with vibrant flavors and a stunning presentation, it’s an ideal dish for warm-weather gatherings, picnics, or barbecues.

Why You’ll Love This Blackberry Balsamic Chicken Salad

This Balsamic Chicken Salad is a summer favorite for all the right reasons:

Bold Flavors: Sweet blackberries, tangy balsamic, and creamy goat cheese create a perfect balance.
Quick and Versatile: Ready in under an hour, with customizable ingredients.
Stunning Presentation: A colorful dish that wows at picnics or Independence Day parties.
Healthy and Satisfying: Packed with protein, healthy fats, and fresh produce.
Crispy Goat Cheese Star: Fried goat cheese patties steal the show with their golden crunch.

Ingredients for Blackberry Balsamic Chicken Salad

Here’s what you’ll need to make this blackberry balsamic chicken salad (serves 4):

For the Blackberry Balsamic Vinaigrette:

Blackberries: ½ cup, fresh or frozen.
White Balsamic Vinegar: 2 tbsp, for a mild tang.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: 2 tbsp, for richness.
Honey: 2 tbsp, for natural sweetness.
Dijon Mustard: 2 tsp, for a slight kick.
Tamari or Soy Sauce: 1 tsp, for umami depth.
Garlic: 1 large clove, minced.
Salt and Pepper: To taste.

Fried Goat Cheese:

Goat Cheese: 8 oz, sliced into ¼-inch discs or formed into small balls.
All-Purpose Flour: ¼ cup, for dredging.
Egg: 1 large, lightly beaten.
Panko Breadcrumbs: 1 cup, for a crispy coating.
Oil: For frying (vegetable or canola).

Salad:

Chicken Breasts: ½ lb, boneless and skinless.
Lettuce: 6 cups, mixed greens or romaine.
Blackberries: 1 cup, fresh.
Avocado: 1, sliced.
Red Onion: ¼ cup, thinly sliced.
Nuts: ¼ cup walnuts (or pistachios or almonds).

Equipment:

Blender or food processor
Grill or grill pan
Three shallow bowls for breading
Skillet for frying
Tongs and a spatula

How to Make Blackberry Balsamic Chicken Salad

This blackberry balsamic chicken salad comes together in a few simple steps, perfect for a Grilled Chicken Salad with flair:

Make the Blackberry Balsamic Vinaigrette: In a blender or food processor, puree ½ cup blackberries, 2 tbsp white balsamic vinegar, 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp honey, 2 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp tamari or soy sauce, 1 minced garlic clove, and a pinch of salt and pepper until smooth. Set aside.
Marinate and Grill the Chicken: Place ½ lb chicken breasts in a resealable bag or shallow dish with half the vinaigrette. Marinate for 30 minutes (or up to overnight in the fridge). Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken for 2-5 minutes per side until cooked through and slightly charred (internal temperature of 165°F). Let cool slightly, then slice.
Prepare the Fried Goat Cheese: Form 8 oz goat cheese into ¼-inch thick discs or small balls. Set up three bowls: ¼ cup flour in one, 1 beaten egg in another, and 1 cup panko breadcrumbs in the third. Dredge each goat cheese piece in flour, dip in egg, then coat in panko. Heat ¼ inch of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the goat cheese for 1-2 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl or on a platter, arrange 6 cups lettuce, 1 cup fresh blackberries, 1 sliced avocado, ¼ cup sliced red onion, ¼ cup walnuts, and the sliced grilled chicken. Top with the fried goat cheese. Drizzle with the remaining blackberry balsamic vinaigrette or serve it on the side.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately for the freshest flavors, perfect as a light main dish or a stunning appetizer for your Independence Day gathering.

Expert Tips for the Best Blackberry Balsamic Chicken Salad

Marinate Longer: For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken overnight.
Perfect Goat Cheese: Chill the goat cheese before shaping to make it easier to handle.
Crisp Coating: Press the panko firmly onto the goat cheese for a sturdy crust.
Berry Swap: Try raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries if blackberries aren’t available.
Nut Options: Swap walnuts for pecans or almonds for a different crunch.

Variations for Balsamic Chicken Salad

Customize this blackberry balsamic chicken salad to suit your taste:

Meat Add-On: Add crispy bacon or prosciutto for extra savoriness.
Cheese Swap: Use feta or blue cheese crumbles if frying isn’t an option.
Veggie Boost: Toss in cherry tomatoes or cucumber slices for more freshness.
Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the vinaigrette.

Serving Suggestions for Grilled Chicken Salad

This Grilled Chicken Salad shines at summer gatherings:

Serve at Independence Day barbecues with grilled corn or watermelon skewers.
Pair with a chilled peach iced tea or sparkling lemonade for a refreshing meal.
Offer as a light lunch with crusty bread or garlic knots.
Add to a picnic spread with other summer recipes like fried pickles or fruit cake.

Storage Tips for Blackberry Balsamic Chicken Salad

This Balsamic Chicken Salad is best fresh, but leftovers can be stored:

Store salad components (lettuce, chicken, vinaigrette, etc.) separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Fried goat cheese is best eaten fresh but can be reheated in an air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes to restore crispiness.
Assemble just before serving to keep the greens crisp and the goat cheese crunchy.

More Summer Recipes to Try

Loved this blackberry balsamic chicken salad? Explore these vibrant summer recipes:

Conclusion

This blackberry balsamic chicken salad is the perfect summer recipe, blending fresh, bold flavors with a crispy goat cheese twist. Whether you’re hosting an Independence Day feast or enjoying a light dinner, this Grilled Chicken Salad will leave everyone impressed. Drop a comment below to share your thoughts or tag us on social media with your salad creations!