Apple goat cheese chicken salad

American · Salad · 30 min · Serves 4

Tender chicken paired with tart apples, creamy goat cheese, and peppery greens makes for a salad that feels special enough for company but comes together on a weeknight. It's the kind of dish that proves you don't need much time or fuss to make dinner feel a little bit elegant.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbsboneless skinless chicken breasts
• 6 cupsmixed greens
• 2Gala or Honeycrisp apples
• 4 ozgoat cheese
• ½ cuptoasted pecans or walnuts
• 3 tbspolive oil
• 2 tbspapple cider vinegar
• 1 tspDijon mustard
• ½ tsphoney
• 1 tspsalt
• ½ tspblack pepper

Method

1. 1

   Season chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

2. 2

   Cook chicken for 6–7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (165°F internal temperature). Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes, then slice.

   12–15 min

3. 3

   While chicken rests, whisk together remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, apple cider vinegar, mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.

4. 4

   Toss mixed greens with half the dressing and divide among plates or a serving platter.

5. 5

   Core and thinly slice the apples. Crumble the goat cheese into bite-sized pieces.

6. 6

   Top greens with sliced chicken, apples, goat cheese, and pecans. Drizzle with remaining dressing and serve right away.