Balsamic Chicken and Goat Cheese Salad Recipe with Blackberry Twist

Succulent blackberry balsamic chicken crafts an ordinary meal into a culinary adventure that dances across your palate with unexpected flavor combinations.

Tangy and sweet notes intertwine, creating a harmonious balance that challenges traditional recipe boundaries.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike will appreciate this sophisticated yet approachable dish that elevates weeknight dinners.

Tender chicken marinated in rich balsamic and juicy blackberries delivers a complex taste profile that surprises and delights.

crispy goat cheese adds a delightful textural contrast, providing creamy richness against bright, fruity undertones.

Vibrant ingredients merge seamlessly, promising a dining experience that feels both elegant and comforting.

This recipe represents a perfect fusion of seasonal ingredients and innovative cooking techniques that celebrates bold, contemporary flavors.

Why Blackberry Balsamic Chicken Salad Hits All the Notes

• Burst with Flavor Fusion: Blackberry balsamic vinaigrette delivers a tangy-sweet punch that transforms ordinary chicken into a gourmet sensation.
• Texture Wonderland: Crispy fried goat cheese provides a crunchy contrast against tender grilled chicken and smooth avocado slices, creating a delightful mouthfeel.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Prep and cooking time under 30 minutes makes this recipe perfect for busy home cooks wanting restaurant-quality meals without complex techniques.
• Nutrient-Packed Meal: Combines protein-rich chicken, healthy fats from avocado, antioxidant-loaded blackberries, and crunchy walnuts for a balanced, satisfying dish.

What Goes into This Bold, Balanced Chicken Salad

• Chicken Breasts: Lean and tender meat that forms the main protein of the dish, best when fresh and trimmed.
• Goat Cheese: Creamy and tangy cheese that adds richness and can be crispy when breaded.

• Mixed Lettuce Greens: Crisp and vibrant base for the salad, providing texture and nutrition.
• Blackberries: Sweet and slightly tart berries used in both salad and dressing for a fruity punch.
• Avocado: Creamy and nutrient-dense fruit that adds smoothness to the salad.
• Red Onion: Sharp and colorful vegetable that provides a crisp bite.

• Walnuts: Crunchy nuts that add texture and earthy flavor to the salad.
• Flour: Used for coating chicken before breading.
• Large Egg: Helps breadcrumbs adhere to chicken and cheese.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: Light and crispy coating for chicken and goat cheese.
• White Balsamic Vinegar, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Honey, Dijon Mustard, Tamari or Soy Sauce: Ingredients that create a balanced and flavorful dressing.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that enhances the overall flavor profile.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance taste of all components.

How to Build Blackberry Chicken Salad with Goat Cheese

Step 1: Create Blackberry Balsamic Vinaigrette

• Fresh blackberries
• Balsamic vinegar
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Honey
• Dijon mustard
• Tamari sauce
• Minced garlic
• Kosher salt
• Fresh ground black pepper

Pour half the vinaigrette into a separate container for later use.

Step 2: Marinate Chicken Breasts

Place chicken breasts in a shallow dish and completely coat with reserved vinaigrette.

Cover and refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes or overnight for deeper flavor.

Step 3: Prepare Crispy Goat Cheese

• All-purpose flour
• Beaten eggs
• Plain breadcrumbs

Coat goat cheese rounds in flour, dip in egg, then roll in breadcrumbs.

Step 4: Fry Goat Cheese

Heat vegetable oil in skillet over medium temperature.

Gently place breaded goat cheese into hot oil.

Fry until golden brown and crispy, about 1-2 minutes per side.

Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.

Step 5: Grill Marinated Chicken

Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.

Remove chicken from marinade and discard remaining liquid.

Grill chicken 4-5 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Let chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before slicing.

Step 6: Assemble Vibrant Salad

Toss mixed salad greens with remaining vinaigrette.

• Sliced grilled chicken
• Crispy goat cheese rounds
• Fresh blackberries
• Sliced avocado
• Thinly sliced red onion
• Chopped walnuts

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes | Servings: 4

Tips for a Crisp and Flavorful Chicken Salad

• Marinate Masterfully: Let chicken soak in vinaigrette overnight for maximum flavor infusion and tenderness.
• Cheese Crunch Perfection: Freeze goat cheese for 15 minutes before breading to prevent crumbling and ensure a crispy, golden exterior.
• Grill with Precision: Pat chicken dry before grilling to achieve beautiful char marks and prevent steaming.
• Vinaigrette Magic: Make extra dressing and store in the refrigerator for up to a week to enhance future salads.
• Temperature Timing: Allow grilled chicken to rest for 5 minutes after cooking to lock in juices and maintain optimal moisture.

Storing Chicken and Goat Cheese Salad Without Sogginess

• Refrigerate: Transfer chicken, salad, and goat cheese separately in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Separate Components: Store crispy goat cheese and salad greens separately to maintain texture and prevent sogginess.
• Vinaigrette Storage: Keep remaining vinaigrette in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to one week.
• Chicken Reheating: Warm chicken gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of olive oil to prevent drying. Cook for 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally.

What Goes Best with Blackberry Balsamic Chicken Salad

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to complement the tangy blackberry balsamic flavors and cut through the richness of the goat cheese.
• Match with Light Beer Option: Choose a wheat beer or Belgian-style ale that offers subtle citrus notes to balance the sweet and savory elements of the grilled chicken and fruity vinaigrette.
• Serve with Sparkling Water Twist: Add a splash of elderflower or lavender sparkling water to enhance the blackberry's natural sweetness and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the dish's robust flavors.
• Recommend Fresh Side Accompaniment: Prepare a light cucumber and mint salsa as a cooling side that will brighten the plate and add a crisp texture contrast to the warm grilled chicken and crispy goat cheese.

Flavor Variations for This Chicken Salad Combo

• Berry Bliss Remix: Swap blackberries with raspberries or strawberries for a different fruity flavor profile, maintaining the same tangy vinaigrette technique.
• Mediterranean Magic: Replace walnuts with pine nuts, add crumbled feta instead of goat cheese, and incorporate fresh oregano into the vinaigrette for a Greek-inspired variation.
• Spicy Southern Style: Introduce a kick by adding cayenne pepper to the chicken marinade, use cornmeal instead of breadcrumbs for the goat cheese coating, and include sliced jalapeños in the salad mix.
• Tropical Fusion: Substitute blackberries with diced mango, use coconut oil for frying the goat cheese, and sprinkle toasted coconut flakes over the salad for a vibrant, island-inspired dish.

Blackberry Balsamic Chicken & Crispy Goat Cheese Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Robust blackberry balsamic chicken mingles with tangy goat cheese crumbles over crisp greens, creating a symphony of flavors. Rustic ingredients blend seamlessly, promising a gourmet experience you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• ½ pound (226 grams) chicken breasts
• 6 cups mixed lettuce greens
• 1 cup fresh blackberries
• 1 ripe avocado, sliced
• 8 ounces (226 grams) goat cheese

Salad Additions:

• ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
• ¼ cup chopped walnuts

Breading and Dressing Ingredients:

• ¼ cup flour
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• ½ cup blackberries (for dressing)
• 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon tamari or soy sauce
• 1 large clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Craft the vibrant blackberry balsamic vinaigrette by blending ripe blackberries, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, dijon mustard, tamari, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until silky smooth.
2. Submerge chicken breasts in half of the prepared vinaigrette, allowing the flavors to penetrate for a minimum of 30 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator for deeper infusion.
3. Transform goat cheese into crispy morsels by first dusting slices with flour, then dipping into beaten egg, and finally enrobing in seasoned breadcrumbs.
4. Heat a skillet with oil to medium temperature and carefully fry the breaded goat cheese rounds until they develop a golden, crunchy exterior. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil.
5. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and cook marinated chicken breasts, turning once, until internal temperature reaches 165°F and exterior displays appetizing char marks.
6. Arrange a bed of fresh lettuce and scatter with blackberries, creamy avocado slices, thinly sliced red onion, and toasted walnuts.
7. Drizzle the remaining vinaigrette over the salad, artfully arranging grilled chicken and crispy goat cheese on top for a stunning presentation.

Notes

• Blackberry balsamic vinaigrette offers a tangy-sweet flavor explosion that transforms ordinary chicken into a gourmet dish.
• Marinating chicken overnight intensifies the rich, complex taste and ensures incredibly tender meat.
• Crispy goat cheese adds a luxurious, crunchy texture that perfectly complements the salad’s fresh ingredients.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 540
• Sugar: 14g
• Sodium: 350mg
• Fat: 35g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 21g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 6g
• Protein: 24g
• Cholesterol: 95mg