Seasonal Delight: The Ultimate Chicken Harvest Salad with Apples, Pears & Blue Cheese and Homemade Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Welcome to your new favorite autumn-inspired meal! This **Chicken Harvest Salad** is a symphony of flavors and textures, featuring crisp, sweet apples and juicy pears, crumbled creamy blue cheese, crunchy walnuts, and tender grilled chicken, all brought together with an irresistible homemade apple cider vinaigrette. It’s not just a salad; it’s a complete, satisfying, and vibrant meal perfect for transitioning seasons or any time you crave something fresh and wholesome.
Forget bland, uninspired salads. This recipe is designed to ignite your taste buds and provide a filling, healthy option that tastes anything but light. The combination of sweet fruit, savory chicken, pungent cheese, and nutty crunch creates a balanced profile that will keep you coming back for more. And the best part? It’s surprisingly easy to make, even for busy weeknights or meal prep Sunday.
The Inspiration Behind This Perfect Autumn Salad
Like many great homemade recipes, this one was born out of a culinary disappointment. Just last weekend, we were out celebrating a significant milestone – Jason had passed his bar exams! Naturally, a celebration with friends was in order. We started with some happy hour drinks at The Pub, then moved on to a local sports bar for some hearty grub. My guy, Jason, truly embraced his new attorney status by diving into a plate of classic chicken wings. And honestly, who could blame him?
Being in the mood for something a bit lighter but still seasonal, I opted for a salad from the menu. It promised a tantalizing combination of autumn fruits and grilled chicken, all tossed in an apple cider vinaigrette. My imagination immediately conjured up a vibrant, perfectly balanced dressing – tangy, slightly sweet, with that distinct autumnal warmth. However, when my salad finally arrived, my excitement quickly faded. The dressing was overwhelmingly sweet, lacking any of the promised tang or complexity. It was a complete letdown, leaving me with a serious case of salad regret. I found myself wishing I had just shared Jason’s delicious chicken wings!
That disheartening salad experience stayed with me, sparking a fierce craving for the salad I had envisioned. I spent the entire weekend dreaming of that ideal apple cider vinaigrette, and it became clear: I simply had to create my own. And so, this **Grilled Chicken Harvest Salad with Pears, Apples, and Blue Cheese** came to life. It’s packed with the freshest seasonal fruits, generous crumbles of creamy blue cheese, and delightful walnut pieces. The result was nothing short of spectacular – light yet incredibly satisfying, and with a homemade vinaigrette that exceeded all my expectations. It was a triumph over that overly sweet restaurant disaster, proving once again that sometimes, the best meals are the ones you make yourself.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Harvest Salad
This salad isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience. Here’s why it deserves a spot in your recipe rotation:
- **Seasonal Freshness:** It champions the delightful flavors of fall with crisp apples and juicy pears, bringing the essence of the harvest season directly to your plate.
- **Perfect Balance of Flavors:** The sweet fruits, savory chicken, sharp blue cheese, and earthy walnuts create a harmonious blend that’s both comforting and invigorating.
- **Satisfying & Filling:** With tender grilled chicken and nutrient-rich ingredients, this salad is substantial enough to keep you full and energized without feeling heavy.
- **Customizable & Versatile:** Easily adapt it to your preferences or what you have on hand. Don’t like blue cheese? Swap it! Prefer a different protein? Go for it!
- **Homemade Vinaigrette:** The star of the show! Our apple cider vinaigrette offers the perfect tangy-sweet balance, elevating every bite and proving how simple and superior homemade dressings can be.
- **Excellent for Meal Prep:** Prepare a batch and enjoy healthy, delicious lunches throughout the week.
Key Ingredients & Customization Ideas
One of the best aspects of this harvest salad is its flexibility. While the core combination of chicken, apples, pears, and blue cheese is a winner, you can easily adapt it to suit your taste or dietary needs. Let’s dive into the components:
The Greens
For this recipe, I love using a mix of **butter lettuce** and **romaine** for their varying textures – the buttery tenderness of one and the crisp crunch of the other. However, the beauty of a salad is its adaptability! Feel free to use any salad greens you prefer. Hearty options like **kale** (massaged lightly with a touch of olive oil to soften it) or **spinach** would add a boost of nutrients. For a milder base, consider spring mix or even iceberg lettuce if you crave that extra crunch.
The Protein: Chicken Your Way
Tender, flavorful chicken is the backbone of this salad. I grilled chicken breast in a grill pan to achieve that perfect char and juicy interior, but don’t feel limited to that method. Here are several fantastic alternatives to make your life easier:
- **Leftover Chicken:** The ultimate time-saver! Any cooked chicken you have on hand can be chopped and added.
- **Rotisserie Chicken:** Pick up a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from your local grocery store, shred the meat, and you’re halfway done. It’s incredibly convenient and flavorful. (See how to cook a whole chicken in an Instant Pot for even more options.)
- **Air Fryer Chicken Thighs:** For a different texture and rich flavor, whip up a batch of air-fryer boneless chicken thighs. They cook quickly and come out wonderfully crispy on the outside, tender on the inside.
- **Slow-Cooked Shredded Chicken:** Perfect for meal prepping larger quantities. Simply season chicken breasts or thighs and cook them on low in your slow cooker until they’re easily shredded.
- **Other Proteins:** Not a fan of chicken? This salad would also be excellent with grilled turkey, pan-seared pork tenderloin, or even roasted chickpeas for a vegetarian option.
Fruits & Nuts: The Essence of Harvest
The star fruits, **crisp apples** (like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji) and **juicy pears** (Anjou, Bosc, or Bartlett), bring a delightful sweetness and freshness. Choose firm, ripe fruits for the best texture. For the nuts, **walnut pieces** add an earthy crunch and healthy fats. Feel free to swap them with **pecans** for a slightly sweeter note, or **slivered almonds** for a different crunch. Toasted nuts will enhance their flavor even further!
Creamy & Tangy Cheese
**Crumbled blue cheese** provides that signature creamy, tangy, and pungent kick that beautifully complements the sweet fruits. However, I understand blue cheese isn’t for everyone (and that’s okay!). If you’re not a fan, or if you’re dairy-free, here are some alternatives:
- **Gorgonzola:** A slightly milder, creamier Italian blue cheese.
- **Feta:** Offers a salty, briny flavor that works wonderfully with the fresh ingredients.
- **Goat Cheese:** Creamy and tart, it provides a lovely contrast.
- **Dairy-Free Options:** Simply omit the cheese, or use a plant-based feta or blue cheese alternative if you can find one. The salad will still be incredibly delicious!
The Star of the Show: Homemade Apple Cider Vinaigrette
As my restaurant experience taught me, a good dressing can make or break a salad. This homemade apple cider vinaigrette is designed to be perfectly balanced, offering a delightful tang from the apple cider vinegar, a hint of sweetness from honey (or maple syrup), and a savory depth from Dijon mustard and garlic powder. It’s light, vibrant, and perfectly enhances all the other ingredients without overpowering them.
Making your own dressing is incredibly simple and rewarding. You control the quality of ingredients and, most importantly, the sugar content. This vinaigrette comes together in minutes and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, making it ideal for meal prepping.
Meal Prep Made Easy: Fresh Salads All Week
This **Chicken Harvest Salad** is a fantastic choice for meal prepping. You can easily make a batch that will last you through four days of delicious, healthy lunches. The key to successful salad meal prep is intelligent layering, especially when including dressing.
For optimal freshness and to prevent soggy greens, I highly recommend using **mason jars** for your meal prep salads. Here’s how to layer them:
- **Dressing First:** Pour your homemade apple cider vinaigrette at the very bottom of the jar.
- **Harder Vegetables/Fruits:** Next, add ingredients that can sit in the dressing without getting soggy, such as diced chicken, cubed apples, and sliced pears.
- **Cheese & Nuts:** Follow with your blue cheese crumbles and walnut pieces.
- **Greens Last:** Pack your chosen greens (butter lettuce, romaine, kale, spinach) tightly on top.
When you’re ready to eat, simply shake the jar to distribute the dressing, then pour the contents into a bowl. This method keeps everything crisp and fresh, providing you with a delicious and convenient meal on the go.
More Delicious Salad Recipes to Explore
If you love vibrant and flavorful salads like this Chicken Harvest Salad, you’ll be thrilled to discover more exciting recipes. Expanding your salad repertoire is a fantastic way to enjoy healthy, satisfying meals without sacrificing taste. Here are some other favorites that feature fresh ingredients and creative dressings, perfect for any occasion:
- Shaved Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad: A fresh take on a classic, offering a unique texture and robust flavor.
- Chopped Chicken Antipasto Salad: A hearty and colorful salad packed with savory meats, cheeses, and vegetables.
- Grilled Chicken BLT Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette: All the flavors of a classic BLT sandwich, transformed into a fresh and satisfying salad.
Chicken Harvest Salad with Pears, Apples & Blue Cheese
Print
Pin
Rate
Ingredients
Salad
- 10 ounces greens of choice – romaine, butter lettuce, kale, etc
- 1 lb chicken breast, grilled and chopped – leftover chicken or rotisserie will also work for this
- 2 medium pears, sliced thin
- 2 medium apples, cubed
- ½ cup crumbled blue cheese – or gorgonzola or feta
- ½ cup walnut pieces – or pecans or slivered almonds
- apple cider vinaigrette dressing
Apple Cider Vinaigrette Dressing
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons honey – or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Salad
-
To a large mixing bowl, add lettuce, diced pears, chopped apples, chopped chicken, walnut pieces and blue cheese crumbles. Toss to combine and mix with apple cider vinaigrette.
Apple Cider Vinaigrette Dressing
-
To a mason jar, or small bowl whisk together all ingredients. Refrigerate until ready to toss over salads.
Notes
Nutrition
This post may contain affiliate links. Purchasing through them helps support this website. Please see the disclaimer here.
Post originally published on September 25, 2017 – updated September 25, 2023 with new images and enhanced content.