Why Make This Recipe
Fall Harvest Salad with Chicken is a perfect dish for the season. It combines fresh ingredients, flavors, and textures that reflect the beauty of autumn. With tender roasted sweet potatoes, crisp apples, and crunchy pumpkin seeds, this salad is both tasty and nutritious. Plus, it’s easy to make and can be a main dish or a side.
How to Make Fall Harvest Salad with Chicken
Ingredients
- Chicken breast
- Sweet potatoes
- Apples
- Dried cranberries
- Pumpkin seeds
- Goat cheese
- Olive oil
- Orange juice
- Honey
- Dijon mustard
- Salt
- Pepper
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Roast sweet potatoes on a baking sheet with olive oil, salt, and pepper until tender, about 20-25 minutes.
- Cook chicken breast in a skillet until fully cooked, then slice.
- In a large bowl, combine roasted sweet potatoes, sliced chicken, sliced apples, cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and crumbled goat cheese.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, orange juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to create the vinaigrette.
- Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately.
How to Serve Fall Harvest Salad with Chicken
This salad is best served fresh. You can enjoy it on its own or pair it with a hearty bread. It’s a delightful choice for lunch or dinner and is perfect for gatherings.
How to Store Fall Harvest Salad with Chicken
To store leftovers, keep the salad in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay good for about 2-3 days. However, it’s best to keep the vinaigrette separate if you plan on storing it. Add the dressing just before serving to maintain freshness.
Tips to Make Fall Harvest Salad with Chicken
- You can roast the sweet potatoes in advance to save time.
- Use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken for a quicker option.
- Feel free to adjust the ingredients based on your taste. Other nuts or cheeses can also work well.
Variation
You can easily customize this salad by adding other seasonal fruits like pears or nuts like walnuts. For a vegetarian option, replace the chicken with chickpeas or quinoa.
FAQs
1. Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prep the ingredients and store them separately. Just mix everything together and add the dressing when you’re ready to eat.
2. Is this salad gluten-free?
Yes, the ingredients in this salad are naturally gluten-free.
3. What can I use instead of goat cheese?
If you don’t like goat cheese, you can use feta cheese or omit it for a dairy-free version.
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