HARVEST CHICKEN SALAD & CIDER VINAIGRETTE (WHOLE30)
This Whole30 Harvest Chicken Salad brings fall flavors together in a fresh and nutritious way! I love the combo of massaged kale, crisp sweet apple, crunchy pecans, and zesty cider vinaigrette. I topped mine with juicy chicken, but you can use leftover turkey too š This salad is also gluten-free, dairy-free, and Paleo! I could literally eat this everyday. You might also like my Southwest Steak Salad.
Did you know? Kale is high in fiber, protein (3g per 33kcal), vitamins A, C, and K, anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, and folate, which is important for preventing birth defects.
How to prepare chicken
For this recipe, you can use boneless skinless breasts or tenderloins. I cooked my chicken in a copper skillet with avocado oil cooking spray (adds a nice butter flavor) over medium-high heat, 4-6 minutes per side, until cooked through and lightly browned in spots. I seasoned the chicken on both sides with sea salt, black pepper, and garlic powder while cooking.
Understanding chicken labels
I always try to buy free-range and antibiotic-free chicken, or better yet, organic and animal welfare approved! Both āorganicā and āfree rangeā labels require that the chickens had some access to the outdoors. Likewise, the labels āorganicā and āno antibiotics everā guarantee that no antibiotics were used (it also means the chickens were not kept with other sick or diseased birds).
In addition, āorganicā chicken must be fed organic, vegetarian feed (not other chicken parts). āAnimal welfare approvedā means the chickens were allowed daytime foraging in pasture, and given exposure to natural light and fresh air (more info here).
Sweet potato preparation & substitutions
For the sweet potatoes, peel and cut them into bite-sized chunks, then bake with avocado oil cooking spray at 400 degrees for about 40 minutes, until browned on the edges. There is something so delightful about caramelized sweet potato! Of course, you can omit the sweet potato for a lower carb version, or use butternut squash or delicata squash instead (both of which are lower in carbs).
Other substitutions
Of course, this wouldnāt be a harvest salad without apples and pecans! However, pears and walnuts would be scrumptious too. Feel free to use grapes, almonds, or other fruit and nuts too. For the salad base, I used kale (spinach or mixed greens would work too!). I first removed the stems, then massage the kale gently until somewhat wilted. You want to squeeze the kale leaves in your hands just enough to turn them a slightly more vibrant green. Massaging makes the kale more tender and sweet.
Making the vinaigrette
Last but not least, the vinaigrette is a simple but delicious combo of apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, dijon mustard, and olive oil. You can add a little honey for added sweetness, but I donāt think it needs it! Also, the honey isnāt technically Whole30 (but would be considered Paleo).
Hereās the printable recipe for this Whole30 Harvest Chicken Salad! I hope youāll rate and/or comment below if you try it š
Created in collaboration with TransformNation.
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Harvest Chicken Salad & Cider Vinaigrette (Whole30)
Ingredients
- 9 oz. raw sweet potato peeled and cut into bite-sized chunks*
- 12 oz. raw chicken breast sliced thin
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp. salt optional
- 4 1/2 cups kale* tough stems removed
- 1 1/2 cup apple* chopped
- 6 tbsp. pecans* chopped
Dressing:
- 3 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1 1/2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
- 1-2 tsp. honey optional, not Whole30
- 1 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper optional
- 1/4 tsp. sea salt optional
*See blog post above for substitutions.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Arrange sweet potato chunks on a baking sheet and lightly coat with cooking spray. Bake for 40-50 minutes until easily pierced with a fork and browned in spots.
- Meanwhile, cook chicken breasts in a skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat, 4-6 minutes per side until cooked through. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder while cooking if desired.
- Whisk together cider vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, honey (optional) and mustard for your dressing. Season with salt and pepper.
- Once timer goes off, remove sweet potatoes from oven and let cool.
- Gently āmassageā kale in a large mixing bowl until slightly wilted.
- Dived kale between three meal prep containers, then top each with 3 ounces of cooked chicken breast (will weigh less after cooking), 2.5 ounces of cooled sweet potato chunks, 1/2 cup chopped apple, 2 tbsp. pecans, and 2 tbsp. dressing (keep dressing separate until ready to eat).
- Seal containers and keep in the fridge until ready to enjoy. Will keep in fridge up to one week.
Notes
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