Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Blueberry Chicken Salad Recipe is a fresh and vibrant recipe, which is made with tender chicken, sweet blueberries, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette. It’s the perfect light lunch or dinner, ready in about 25 minutes.
Pioneer Woman Blueberry Chicken Salad Recipe Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Fine sea salt and black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 12 ounces Romaine hearts or little gem lettuce, finely chopped
- 1 pint (2 cups) fresh blueberries
- 1 cup toasted chopped pecans
- 1 small red onion, finely diced
- 5 ounces crumbled feta or goat cheese
For the Vinaigrette:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
How To Make Pioneer Woman Blueberry Chicken Salad
- Cook the chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes before dicing into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Prepare the vinaigrette: While the chicken cooks, make the dressing. In a small bowl or a sealed jar, combine the 3 tablespoons of olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously until the vinaigrette is smooth and emulsified.
- Combine the salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, blueberries, toasted pecans, diced red onion, and crumbled feta cheese. Add the diced, cooked chicken.
- Toss and serve: Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently until all the ingredients are evenly coated. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- How to get the most flavorful chicken: For an extra layer of flavor, you can grill the chicken breasts instead of pan-searing them. A little char from the grill is delicious in this salad.
- Time-saving shortcut: To make this salad even faster, use a store-bought rotisserie chicken. Simply shred or dice the meat and add it to the salad.
- Can I make this ahead of time? You can prepare all the components ahead of time. Cook the chicken, chop the vegetables, and make the vinaigrette, storing them all in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. For the best results, toss everything together with the dressing just before serving to keep the lettuce crisp.
- How to toast pecans: To quickly toast the pecans, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, tossing frequently, until they are fragrant and slightly browned. You can also toast them on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes.
What To Serve With Blueberry Chicken Salad
This salad is a complete and satisfying meal on its own. It also pairs wonderfully with:
- A slice of warm, crusty bread or a buttery croissant
- A cup of a light soup, like tomato or a clear vegetable broth
- Served in a wrap or pita for an easy lunch
How To Store Blueberry Chicken Salad
Refrigerate: This salad is best enjoyed fresh after it’s been tossed with the dressing. If you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, but the lettuce will likely become wilted by the next day. For best results, store the salad components separately.
Pioneer Woman Blueberry Chicken Salad Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 570kcal
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 12g
Nutrition information is estimated per serving and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.
FAQs
Can I use a different kind of cheese?
Absolutely. While feta or goat cheese provide a lovely tangy flavor, crumbled blue cheese or even small shavings of Parmesan would also be delicious.
Can I use a different dressing?
Yes. If you’re not a fan of vinaigrette, a creamy poppy seed dressing or a light ranch dressing would also complement the flavors of this salad well.
Can I use frozen blueberries?
Fresh blueberries are highly recommended for the best texture. If you only have frozen blueberries, let them thaw completely and drain off any excess liquid before adding them to the salad to avoid making it watery.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Salad Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Mexican Street Corn Salad
- Pioneer Woman Ambrosia Salad Recipe
Pioneer Woman Blueberry Chicken Salad Recipe
Description
A fresh and flavorful chopped salad loaded with tender chicken, sweet blueberries, crunchy pecans, and salty feta, all tossed in a simple lemon vinaigrette.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Season and cook the chicken breasts in a hot skillet for 4-5 minutes per side; let rest, then dice.
- Whisk or shake all vinaigrette ingredients together until smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, blueberries, pecans, red onion, feta, and the diced chicken.
- Drizzle with the vinaigrette, toss to combine, and serve immediately.
Notes
- u003cliu003eFor a quick shortcut, use a rotisserie chicken instead of cooking your own.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eTo prevent a soggy salad, dress it just before you plan to serve it.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThis salad is highly customizable; feel free to swap the pecans for almonds or the feta for blue cheese.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThe vinaigrette can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.u003c/liu003e
