Description
A hearty autumn salad layered with crispy cornmeal-crusted baked chicken, crisp apples, toasted nuts, and creamy gorgonzola over fresh greens, all finished with a tangy apple cider vinaigrette.
Ingredients
For the Crispy Cornmeal Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup cornmeal
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Olive oil spray (for baking)
For the Salad:
- 4 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, or spring mix)
- 1 Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced
- ½ cup crumbled gorgonzola cheese
- ⅓ cup toasted pecans or walnuts
- ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup dried cranberries (optional)
For the Apple Cider Vinaigrette:
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 ½ tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness to ensure they cook evenly. Dip each chicken breast into the buttermilk, then dredge thoroughly in a mixture of cornmeal, panko breadcrumbs, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Place the coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet, spray lightly with olive oil, and bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through to achieve even golden crispness. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove from oven and let rest, then slice into strips.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey (or maple syrup), salt, and black pepper until the vinaigrette is smooth and well emulsified. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Assemble Salad: Arrange the mixed greens in a large bowl or platter. Evenly layer the sliced baked chicken, thinly sliced apple, crumbled gorgonzola, toasted pecans or walnuts, thinly sliced red onion, and dried cranberries if using. Drizzle the prepared apple cider vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine all flavors before serving.
Notes
- Substitute gorgonzola with blue cheese or goat cheese if preferred for different flavor profiles.
- Add roasted butternut squash for extra fall flavor and heartiness.
- Chicken can be cooked ahead of time and served either warm or chilled, making it great for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
