Recipe: Autumn Chopped Chicken Salad

For a quick lunch or dinner that celebrates produce and flavors of the season, add this salad to your fall menu.

Serves 8

Ingredients: 

Salad

• 1 lb chicken breasts (2 large), trimmed and halved lengthwise
• 1/2 tsp garlic salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 head romaine lettuce, (8 cups chopped) rinsed and dried
• 2 pears, cored and sliced
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup pecans, lightly toasted on a dry skillet
• 1/2 cup feta cheese (4 oz), crumbled

Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing:

• 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 garlic clove, pressed or finely minced
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

Preparation:

1. Cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise, so you have four thin cutlets. Season chicken cutlets on both sides with garlic salt and black pepper. Place a large skillet over medium heat with 1 Tbsp olive oil. Add chicken cutlets and saute three to four minutes per side or until cooked through. Transfer to a cutting board and let chicken rest while preparing the salad, then slice the chicken into strips.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium dry skillet, toast pecans over medium heat for five minutes, tossing frequently or until pecans are fragrant and lightly golden. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped romaine, sliced pears, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, crumbled feta and cooked sliced chicken.
4. Combine dressing ingredients in a small Mason jar. Cover with lid and shake vigorously to combine. If any separation occurs, shake again just before using. Drizzle balsamic vinaigrette over the salad, adding it to taste, then toss to combine.

Next Steps & Resources: 

• Recipe shared by the oncology dieticians at John Theurer Cancer Center
• Check out our dedicated survivorship class, Moving Forward: Eat Well, Live Well.
• For more research-based information on healthy eating, including recipes, food facts, and interesting articles, go to Healthy Eating - American Institute for Cancer Research and Eat Healthy and Get Active.