Harvest Chicken Salad with Pear, Pecans &Amp; Creamy Balsamic Dressing

This harvest chicken salad is a perfect quick and easy meal that brings together the best flavors of fall. Juicy sliced pears, tangy dried cranberries, crunchy pecans and creamy feta cheese are tossed with fresh spinach and a rich creamy balsamic dressing. Topped with perfectly seared chicken cutlets seasoned with a bold steak spice, this salad is both satisfying and refreshing.

Ready in just 15 minutes, this recipe is ideal for a light dinner or a hearty lunch. The combination of sweet, savory and tangy elements creates a balanced dish that will become a seasonal favorite. Follow the simple steps below to create this delicious salad at home.

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Ingredients

2 unit CroutonsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Feta CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 ounce PecansView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

5 ounce SpinachView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit PearView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 ounce Dried CranberriesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Bold & Savory Steak SpiceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

3 ounce Creamy Balsamic DressingView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

24 ounce Organic Chicken CutletsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon (tsp) Cooking OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Pat chicken cutlets dry with paper towels. Season all over with steak spice, salt and pepper.
2. Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, 5-7 minutes per side. If browning too quickly, reduce heat. Transfer chicken to a cutting board to rest.
3. While chicken cooks, wash and dry the produce. Halve the pear, remove the core and slice thinly.
4. In a large bowl, combine spinach and creamy balsamic dressing. Toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Add sliced pear, dried cranberries, pecans, croutons and feta cheese to the bowl with spinach. Toss gently to combine. If salad seems dry, add a drizzle of olive oil.
6. Slice the rested chicken crosswise. Divide salad among bowls, top with sliced chicken and serve.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Yes, you can substitute feta with goat cheese or blue cheese for a different flavor profile.

How should I store leftovers?

Store the salad and chicken separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The salad is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be kept for up to 1 day.

Can I make this salad vegetarian?

Absolutely! Omit the chicken and add extra protein like chickpeas or tofu. You can also increase the amount of nuts and cheese.