Ultimate Autumn Harvest Chicken Salad with Sweet Dijon Vinaigrette
Embrace the vibrant flavors of fall with this incredible Autumn Harvest Salad! Featuring a delightful blend of crisp, sweet apples, tart cranberries, crunchy pecans, and succulent chicken, all brought together with a homemade sweet dijon vinaigrette. It’s a hearty, healthy, and satisfying meal that captures the essence of the season in every bite.
As the leaves turn golden and the air grows crisp, there’s nothing quite like a meal that truly celebrates the season. Today, we’re diving into a recipe that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of autumn: a robust and flavorful Autumn Harvest Chicken Salad. This isn’t just any salad; it’s a culinary masterpiece brimming with fall favorites like sweet apples, tangy cranberries, crunchy pecans, and protein-packed chicken and eggs. Get ready to awaken your taste buds with a salad that’s not only incredibly delicious but also wonderfully satisfying and nutritious.
Why This Autumn Harvest Salad Is Your New Fall Favorite
For weeks, the vision of a truly hearty and wholesome autumn salad has been dancing in my head. After indulging in a few too many seasonal treats like Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls, Loaded Chewy Chocolate Chip M&M Cookie Cake, and Moist Pumpkin Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting, my body was practically begging for something fresh and invigorating. The tantalizing thought of tender chopped chicken, toasted pecans, vibrant dried cranberries, and a luscious sweet dijon vinaigrette became an obsession. And finally, after much anticipation, this little guy made it to my kitchen table, and I couldn’t be happier to share it with you!
This Autumn Harvest Salad is more than just a collection of ingredients; it’s a complete meal designed to keep you energized and satisfied for hours. Each component plays a vital role: the chicken and eggs provide an excellent source of lean protein, making it incredibly filling. The crisp, sweet-tart apples and dried cranberries burst with flavor and essential nutrients. And then there are the seriously nutty pecans, adding a delightful crunch and healthy fats. All of these incredible elements are tied together by a truly exceptional homemade sweet dijon vinaigrette that will have you craving more. This salad is perfectly suited for a light yet substantial dinner, and it excels as a vibrant, easy-to-pack weekday lunch. The first time I enjoyed this harvest salad, it fueled me for a solid six hours while I was busy baking and cooking up a storm in the kitchen!
You might already know about my (okay, fine, *daily* – still in a little denial!) trips to the grocery store. Yes, it’s true, I visit a grocery store at least once a day. It’s normal, right? For me, grocery stores are like the highlight of my day. While some people enjoy shopping for shoes or clothes, my greatest joy comes from filling my cart with all kinds of ingredients (and maybe a few chocolates, oops, I mean veggies!). It’s where I get to explore and discover new possibilities for my next meal.
The Inspiration Behind Seasonal Ingredients
One of my favorite sections in the grocery store is the bulk aisle. There’s something so satisfying about scooping generous amounts of goodies and jotting down PLU codes. The other day, I got a little carried away and came home with several pounds of dried cranberries – four pounds, to be exact! Naturally, this meant that this delightful Autumn Harvest Salad would be making frequent appearances on my lunch menu for the foreseeable future. And honestly, I don’t mind one bit! These little ruby-red gems are a fantastic addition, offering a wonderful chewiness and a burst of tart flavor that perfectly complements the other ingredients.
What truly sets this meal apart is the symphony of flavors happening on your plate. While it might be a “lettuce salad” at its core, it’s so much more. This salad is loaded with a diverse array of ingredients that contribute not only to its incredible taste but also to its impressive nutritional profile. It’s a complete and balanced meal, proving that healthy eating can be incredibly delicious and exciting.
Crafting the Perfect Harvest Salad Base
For the base of this vibrant Autumn Harvest Salad, I chose a combination of tender spring mix and several cups of fresh baby spinach. While spring mix provides a delicate blend of greens, the addition of spinach significantly boosts the nutritional value. Spinach is an excellent source of iron, vitamins K and A, and various antioxidants, making it a powerful superfood. Its mild flavor and tender texture also make it incredibly versatile. Beyond salads – like my refreshing Berry Spinach Salad with Citrus Poppy Seed Dressing – I frequently incorporate spinach into pastas, pestos, and hearty soups, like my comforting Homemade Minestrone Soup. It’s an ingredient that effortlessly elevates any dish.
The Star of the Show: Sweet Dijon Vinaigrette
A significant portion of this harvest salad’s irresistible flavor comes from its signature sweet dijon vinaigrette. The beauty of this dressing lies in its simplicity; it uses just a few pantry staples you likely already have on hand. My recipe calls for robust whole grain dijon mustard, a subtle hint of red pepper flakes for a gentle warmth, aromatic garlic powder, classic Italian seasoning, a few generous tablespoons of golden honey for natural sweetness, tangy red wine vinegar, and smooth olive oil. What makes this vinaigrette even better? There’s no need for elaborate whisking! Simply combine all the ingredients in a mason jar, secure the lid tightly, and give it a few vigorous shakes until everything is perfectly emulsified and the dressing thickens ever so slightly. It’s quick, easy, and yields a dressing that truly elevates the entire salad.
This particular recipe is designed to yield enough for two generous main-course salads, perfect for a satisfying dinner. Alternatively, it can easily serve four as side salads. The best part? You can easily double the batch of the sweet dijon vinaigrette and keep a jar readily available in the fridge. This makes future salad preparations a breeze, as the rest of the process is simply assembling the fresh ingredients. It’s ideal for meal prepping throughout the week, ensuring you always have a healthy and delicious option at hand.
Endless Customization: Make It Your Own
One of the most appealing aspects of this Autumn Harvest Salad is its incredible versatility. Don’t be afraid to get creative and customize it to your liking! If you have any extra fruits or vegetables lingering in your crisper drawer, simply toss them in. Imagine adding thinly sliced red onions for a sharp bite, sweet red grapes for an extra burst of juiciness, toasted walnuts for a different nutty flavor, or even crunchy pepitas (pumpkin seeds) for a touch of savory earthiness. All of these fall-inspired ingredients would undoubtedly elevate this salad to an entirely new level, making it uniquely yours every time.
And because life is all about balance, why not complement this wholesome meal with a little something sweet for dessert? My Healthier Pumpkin Bread would be the perfect festive and healthy way to round out your autumn feast. It’s the perfect combination – healthy and seasonal, I love how that works out! This harvest salad isn’t just a recipe; it’s an invitation to savor the best of fall in a nourishing and delightful way.
Autumn Harvest Salad with Sweet Dijon Vinaigrette
5 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes
Fall on a salad plate! An Autumn harvest salad with a sweet dijon vinaigrette thats hearty and filling. Loaded with crisp, sweet apples, cranberries, and pecans. Chicken and eggs pack on the protein so it’s a healthy and filling meal!
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 4 cups lettuce or spring mix
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast*
- 1 cup fuji apples, chopped
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese
- 2/3 cup pecan halves or pieces
For the Sweet Dijon Vinaigrette:
- 1 tablespoon whole-grain dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon italian seasoning
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
To make the salad:
- Place the eggs in a saucepan and fill with water until the eggs are completely submerged. Set over high heat. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Turn off the heat and cover the saucepan with a lid. If you’re using an electric stove, remove the saucepan from the burner. Leave the eggs covered for 10-11 minutes. Remove eggs from saucepan with slotted soon, tap the eggs gently against the countertop to just crack the shell. Place the eggs in an ice water bath for 2 minutes. Peel and dice.
To make the dijon vinaigrette:
- Combine all the ingredients in a mason jar, screw the lid on tight and give it a few good shakes until the all the ingredients are mixed and the dressing thickens just slightly.
To assemble:
- In a large bowl combine all the salad ingredients listed. Toss in the dressing just before serving.
Notes
- Grilled, poached, or rotisserie chicken are all fine for this recipe
Have you made this recipe?
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