Grilled Chicken and Pear Salad Delight
Indulge in the delightful combination of vibrant greens and juicy fruits with this Grilled Chicken and Pear Salad Delight. This salad has quickly become a crowd favorite, boasting a harmonious blend of sweet and savory flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Featuring tender grilled chicken, crisp romaine lettuce, and luscious pears, each bite is complemented by the salty tang of feta cheese and the crunchy texture of walnuts. Drizzled with a homemade poppy seed dressing, this dish is perfect for summer picnics, dinner parties, or simply as a nutritious one-dish meal. This recipe is easily adaptable, allowing you to mix and match the ingredients to suit your taste, making it a versatile favorite in any kitchen.
4-6
Servings
300
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Romaine lettuce
1 large head (Torn or cut into bite-sized pieces)
Tart apple
1 (Chopped into bite-sized chunks)
Ripe tart pears
2 (Chopped into bite-sized chunks)
Feta cheese
4 ounces (Crumpled)
Dried cranberries
1/4 cup (Optional, can use craisins)
Walnuts
1/2 cup (Toasted or candied, if desired)
Grilled chicken breasts
2 (Shredded)
Sugar
1 cup (For dressing)
Poppy seeds
2 tablespoons (For dressing)
Raspberry vinegar
3/4 cup (For dressing)
Prepared mustard
2 tablespoons (For dressing)
Salt
2 teaspoons (For dressing)
Canola oil
1 1/2 cups (For dressing)
Small onion
1 (Finely chopped for dressing)
Instructions
1
Begin by tearing or cutting the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place it in a large salad bowl.
2
Chop the tart apple and pears into bite-sized chunks and add them to the bowl. You can choose to use only apples or pears based on your preference.
3
Crumble the feta cheese over the top, then sprinkle in the dried cranberries.
4
Optionally, toast the walnuts in a skillet for added flavor, or use candied walnuts for sweetness. You can also substitute the walnuts with pecans or pine nuts if desired.
5
Shred the grilled chicken breasts and add them to the salad mix. Rotisserie or baked chicken can also be used for convenience.
6
In a separate bowl or blender, combine the sugar, poppy seeds, raspberry vinegar, prepared mustard, salt, canola oil, and finely chopped onion to create the dressing.
7
Blend the dressing ingredients until smooth and creamy, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. You may want to halve the dressing ingredients, as this recipe yields a generous amount.
8
Serve the salad drizzled with the dressing and enjoy the delightful fusion of flavors!
Nutrition Information
21.7g
Fat
19.7g
Carbs
14.5g
Protein
3.3g
Fiber
10g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main ingredients in Grilled Chicken and Pear Salad Delight?
The salad consists of romaine lettuce, tart apples, ripe pears, feta cheese, dried cranberries, walnuts, and grilled chicken breasts.
What type of lettuce is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifies using one large head of romaine lettuce, torn or cut into bite-sized pieces.
Can I substitute the pears in this salad?
Yes, you can choose to use only apples or only pears based on your personal preference.
What kind of cheese is added to the salad?
The recipe calls for four ounces of crumbled feta cheese.
Are there any dried fruits in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/4 cup of dried cranberries or craisins.
What nuts are used in the salad?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of walnuts, which can be toasted or candied.
Can I use different types of nuts?
Yes, you can substitute the walnuts with pecans or pine nuts if desired.
How should the chicken be prepared?
The chicken should be grilled and then shredded. Alternatively, rotisserie or baked chicken can be used.
What is in the poppy seed dressing?
The dressing contains sugar, poppy seeds, raspberry vinegar, prepared mustard, salt, canola oil, and a finely chopped small onion.
How do I make the dressing?
Combine the dressing ingredients in a separate bowl or blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
Does the dressing need to be refrigerated?
Yes, the dressing should be refrigerated for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Is the dressing recipe very large?
The recipe yields a generous amount of dressing; you may want to halve the ingredients if you prefer less.
What type of vinegar is used for the dressing?
The recipe requires 3/4 cup of raspberry vinegar.
What type of oil is recommended for the dressing?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 cups of canola oil.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes between 4 and 6 servings.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
What is the protein content of this salad?
The salad provides 14.5g of protein per serving.
How much fat is in the salad?
There are 21.7g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
There are 19.7g of carbohydrates per serving.
Does this salad contain fiber?
Yes, each serving contains 3.3g of fiber.
How much sugar is in the recipe?
The recipe contains 10g of sugar per serving.
Can I use rotisserie chicken for convenience?
Yes, rotisserie chicken is a great time-saving alternative to grilling your own chicken.
Should the walnuts be toasted?
Toasting the walnuts in a skillet is an optional step that adds extra flavor.
What kind of apple should I use?
A tart apple is recommended to provide a nice contrast to the sweet pears and dressing.
Is there onion in the salad dressing?
Yes, the dressing includes one small finely chopped onion for flavor.
What occasions is this salad suitable for?
It is perfect for summer picnics, dinner parties, or as a nutritious one-dish meal.
Is this recipe easy to customize?
Yes, the recipe is easily adaptable, allowing you to mix and match ingredients to your taste.
What is the texture of the dressing?
When blended correctly, the dressing should be smooth and creamy.
Can I use candied walnuts?
Yes, candied walnuts can be used if you prefer more sweetness in your salad.
Is this considered a healthy recipe?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy one-dish meal featuring fresh greens, fruit, and lean protein.