Chicken Pecan & Apple Salad with Sweet Balsamic Dressing

CHICKEN PECAN & APPLE SALAD with SWEET BALSAMIC DRESSING

9/25/2020

Chicken Pecan & Apple Salad with Sweet Balsamic Dressing is loaded with fresh greens, tender chicken, crispy bacon, apple slices and sprinkled with glazed pecans and gorgonzola cheese. The Sweet Balsamic Dressing is perfect drizzled on top – so many layers of flavors!

Chicken Pecan & Apple Salad with Sweet Balsamic Dressing

Every time I make this salad, I'm transported to the first time I tasted it. If there's a salad in heaven, this one is it! Every spring I think it's the most perfect spring salad; in the fall I think it's the very best salad for autumn!

Loaded with so many fresh flavors, you just can't go wrong!

Chicken Pecan & Apple Salad with Sweet Balsamic Dressing

Start by picking your favorite fresh salad greens - spring mix, romaine or baby spinach are all wonderful! Hickory smoked bacon bits and tender chicken breasts add protein and flavor. If you have leftover chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken, you're all set!

Dried cranberries or cherries add a pop of color and sweet flavor, pieces of tart granny smith apple, a generous sprinkle of Gorgonzola or blue cheese crumbles, and glorious glazed pecans add the perfect toasty crunch.

Drizzled with the easiest and most flavorful Sweet Balsamic Dressing, and you're ready for lunch or dinner! Give it a gentle toss and let it sit for a few minutes before serving so that the flavor seeps into every delicious bite! This truly is the perfect salad...don't say I didn't warn you!

You'll have to excuse me now...the sunshine and this salad are calling my name!

Chicken Pecan & Apple Salad with Sweet Balsamic Dressing

CHICKEN PECAN & APPLE SALAD with SWEET BALSAMIC DRESSING

Chicken Pecan & Apple Salad with Sweet Balsamic Dressing

SALAD:
6 cups spring salad mix, romaine or baby spinach
4 slices hickory smoked bacon (cooked and crumbled)
1/2 cup dried cranberries or cherries
1 large granny smith apple (chopped or sliced)
1/2 cup glazed pecans
5 oz. Gorgonzola or blue cheese (crumbled)
2 chicken breasts (grilled and chopped) or 2 cups rotisserie chicken (shredded)

SWEET BALSAMIC DRESSING:
1/2 cup vegetable oil or canola
1/3 cup sugar
3 tablespoons good balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze
1/8 teaspoon dry mustard or one teaspoon Dijon mustard
Fresh cracked pepper

HOW I MAKE THIS:

Bake bacon until crisp (375 degree oven for about 10 minutes); cool & crumble.
Wash salad mix and drain well.
In a large bowl, mix all salad ingredients.
PREPARE SWEET BALSAMIC DRESSING: Combine salad dressing ingredients together in a small glass jar (with lid) or small bowl. Shake or whisk together, until sugar and oil are blended. It takes a few minutes for the oil and sugar to blend.
Slowly pour desired amount of dressing over salad and serve.

SERVINGS: 2 generous servings

Originally posted March 2016; revised and reposted September 2020.

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