Even though summer is coming quickly to an end and thoughts of soups, chili and all flavors of comfort food have been floating through my head, I still find myself, from time to time, craving something light.
Something rich in flavor.
Something that doesn’t leave me sitting on the couch for hours after because I’m too full and lethargic to move.
At these times, only a salad will do. But not just any salad. Not a boring old salad that you throw together at the last minute because there’s nothing else to eat, but you have to eat something, so you just grab whatever is left in the fridge and hope for the best but always end up with a very disapointing and unfulfilling salad that leaves you reaching for chocolate 5 minutes later.
Does that happen to anyone else? No? Just me then? Well, okay.
This salad, this sweet, colorful and very filling salad with a simple yet flavorful balsamic dressing, oh, it will not disappoint. It will not leave you feeling empty and wishing for more. It will fill you up and send you on your way, without another look back for something to snack on 5 minutes later.
Don’t get me wrong, I still grab a piece of chocolate after. But that’s just because I’m addicted.
When this salad is paired with a thick chunk of warm rosemary foccacia bread, fresh out of the oven, oh man, you can’t go wrong. Salad and bread, it’s a match made in heaven.
A small disclaimer, I don’t measure ingredients for salads. It’s a salad, a little extra of this or that isn’t going to change the outcome. So take these measurements as a suggestion only.
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 5 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 5 teaspoons maple syrup or honey
- 1.5 teaspoons spicy brown mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 3 nectarines, sliced and chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup dry roasted almonds, chopped
- Salad greens
- Feta cheese, crumbled, to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, maple syrup, mustard, salt and pepper. Whisk to combine, or cover and shake.
- Any leftover dressing can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge.
- Combine the chicken, nectarines, onion, almonds and salad greens in a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing and top with the feta cheese.
- Recipe inspired by MyRecipes.com
Did you know that you can save my recipes in your very own recipe box, courtesy of ZipList? Just click on the link above, under "recipes" to get started. Want to learn more? Hop on over to read about this awesome new feature.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
I like the nectarine added in here. I don’t usually use that for my salads but very interesting and adds a nice sweetness!
Girl, you had me at feta. Feta makes the world go ’round. Looks divine!
I know! I’m so addicted to feta right now. It’s not even funny how much I eat in one week.
What a terrific looking salad. Cannot wait to give this one a try. Come over and visit today. We have a terrific apple sausage casserole to share.
Looks like a really tasty salad!
This looks so yummy, minus the feta….it doesn’t sit well with me, lol…Stop over for a visit sometime!
You could easily use mozzarella instead, or goat chesse if you like it.
YOu had me at feta! I love anything that has feta. This salad sounds fantastic! Can’t wait to try! Stopping by from Blue Cricket!
Jen
Scissors & Spatulas
Thanks for stopping by! I’m in a feta kick lately too. Did you see the Greek nachosbi shared last week?
Wow, that looks AMAZING!!! Yum.
Here from WFMW! Happy Wednesday!
MMhhhmmm…yup, totally gonna have to try this one!! not sure about the feta, though?? i haven’t had a lot of experience with it….thnx!!
You could substitute mozzarella, I’m sure that would be tasty too.
Hi Alli… This looks delicious! What an unusual combination of flavors. Would you be interested in linking this post to my new link party, Allergy-Friendly Lunchbox Love? I would love to find this salad in my lunchbox
(Submissions don’t have to be free of all allergens, just relatively allergy-friendly). The party goes live on Friday at 6:00 am. Hope to see you there! http://allergyfreecookery.blogspot.com.
Thanks for the invite, I missed last weeks party but I’ll try to stop by this week.
What a great salad and another way to use nectarines, which happen to be one of my favorites. Your vinaigrette sounds spicy and delicious. Happy Foodie Friday.
Sam
Oh, man, that sounds so fresh and healthy, it would make a healthy lunch to counteract the Steak N Shake hamburger I ate this evening (bleh).
It is great for lunch. I make it without the chicken too sometimes.
This is a great salad and I really want to give it a try. Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great week!
Come Back Soon,
Miz Helen
{ 2 trackbacks }