Best 5 Balsamic Vinegar Chicken Salad Recipes

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Tantalize your taste buds with a culinary journey through the realm of succulent chicken salad recipes. Embark on a delightful adventure where flavors dance and textures intertwine. Discover the art of crafting the perfect chicken salad, from the classic to the innovative.

In this comprehensive guide, we present a symphony of chicken salad recipes that cater to every palate. Dive into the timeless charm of the Classic Chicken Salad, where tender chicken, crisp celery, and tangy mayonnaise harmonize in perfect balance. Experience the Mediterranean flair of the Greek Chicken Salad, where succulent chicken mingles with fresh herbs, feta cheese, and Kalamata olives.

Indulge in the Asian-inspired Thai Chicken Salad, where juicy chicken meets the vibrant flavors of lemongrass, ginger, and a touch of heat. Savor the smoky allure of the BBQ Chicken Salad, where grilled chicken is tossed with a sweet and smoky barbecue sauce, creating a taste sensation that will leave you craving more.

For a healthier twist, explore the Lighter Chicken Salad, where lean chicken is paired with a yogurt-based dressing, resulting in a guilt-free indulgence. If you seek a burst of freshness, the Avocado Chicken Salad is your perfect match, where ripe avocados add a creamy texture and a subtle nutty flavor.

But the culinary adventure doesn't end there. We also present a tantalizing array of chicken salad variations that will surprise and delight your senses. From the elegant Waldorf Chicken Salad, adorned with grapes, walnuts, and a touch of sweetness, to the hearty Southwestern Chicken Salad, where corn, black beans, and a zesty dressing create a fiesta of flavors.

Prepare to embark on a culinary expedition that will redefine your perception of chicken salad. With our diverse collection of recipes, you'll have a delectable dish for every occasion, whether it's a light lunch, a refreshing summer meal, or an elegant dinner party. Let your taste buds rejoice as you explore the endless possibilities of chicken salad perfection.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

BALSAMIC CHICKEN SALAD



Balsamic Chicken Salad image

My family enjoys these flavors in the Balsamic Chicken and Fresh Mozzarella recipe from this site. I turned it into a salad with great results.

Provided by sugarmagnolia_fl

Categories     Salad     Green Salad Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 (16 ounce) bottle light balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing (such as Newman's Own® Lighten Up® Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing), divided
8 chicken tenders
1 (6 ounce) package sliced portobello mushroom caps
2 hearts of romaine lettuce, chopped
2 green onions, sliced diagonally
1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup sliced fresh basil leaves

Steps:

  • Combine 1/3 bottle of balsamic vinaigrette dressing with the chicken tenders in a bowl. Toss together sliced mushrooms with 1/3 bottle of dressing in a separate bowl. Reserve the remaining 1/3 bottle. Allow the chicken tenders and mushrooms to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven's broiler, and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source.
  • Remove the chicken tenders and mushrooms from the marinade, and drain off the excess. Broil the chicken and mushrooms until the chicken is browned and cooked through, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove the chicken and mushrooms from the heat, and slice the chicken tenders into bite-sized pieces.
  • To serve, divide the chopped romaine lettuce between four plates, and top each with broiled chicken and mushrooms. Sprinkle each plate with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and sliced basil leaves; serve with the remaining vinaigrette dressing.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 408.3 calories, Carbohydrate 17.8 g, Cholesterol 80.6 mg, Fat 22.8 g, Fiber 3.8 g, Protein 32.8 g, SaturatedFat 3.7 g, Sodium 1335.3 mg, Sugar 2.4 g

BALSAMIC CHICKEN



Balsamic Chicken image

A tasty, easy-to-make chicken dish -- my husband loves it. Sometimes I cut the chicken in strips,and serve over pasta.

Provided by SHERRYLYNN2

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 45m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
½ cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried Italian herb seasoning
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 tablespoon olive oil

Steps:

  • Whisk together the balsamic vinegar, chicken broth, sugar, garlic, and Italian seasoning in a bowl, place the chicken breasts in the marinade, and marinate for 10 minutes on each side.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and reserve the marinade. Place the chicken in the heated pan and cook until they start to brown and are no longer pink inside, about 7 minutes per side. Pour the marinade into the skillet, and cook until it thickens slightly, turning the chicken breasts over once or twice, about 5 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 194.1 calories, Carbohydrate 9.8 g, Cholesterol 65.8 mg, Fat 4.9 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 26.4 g, SaturatedFat 0.9 g, Sodium 79.1 mg, Sugar 9.2 g

BALSAMIC CHICKEN SALAD



Balsamic Chicken Salad image

"This is an easy, elegant and tasty alternative to TV dinners," Rebecca Lindamood shares from Le Roy, New York. "My husband fell in love with this main course the first time I served it and regularly requests that I make it again."

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 20m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each), cut into 3-inch strips
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1-1/2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
1 tablespoon minced fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
6 cups torn mixed salad greens

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, saute chicken in 1 tablespoon oil until no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Remove from pan. , In the same skillet, bring vinegar to a boil. Add the chicken, tomatoes, basil, salt, pepper and remaining oil; cook and stir until heated through. Divide salad greens among six plates; top with chicken mixture.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 226 calories, Fat 12g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 63mg cholesterol, Sodium 173mg sodium, Carbohydrate 5g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

CHICKEN BREASTS AND GARLIC BALSAMIC VINEGAR



Chicken Breasts And Garlic Balsamic Vinegar image

Provided by Pierre Franey

Categories     dinner, easy, one pot, main course

Time 35m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, about 1 1/2 pounds
3/4 pound small to medium-size mushrooms
2 tablespoons flour
Salt to taste if desired
Freshly ground pepper to taste
3 tablespoons olive oil
6 cloves garlic, peeled
4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
3/4 cup fresh or canned chicken broth
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon butter

Steps:

  • Split each chicken breast lengthwise in half. Cut away and discard any thin membranes that may remain on the flesh.
  • Rinse the mushrooms; drain and pat dry.
  • Season the flour with salt and pepper and dredge the chicken breast halves in the mixture. Shake off excess flour.
  • Heat the oil in a heavy skillet and cook the chicken breasts until nicely browned on one side, about 3 minutes over moderately high heat. Add the garlic cloves.
  • Turn the chicken pieces and scatter the mushrooms over all. Continue cooking, shaking the skillet and redistributing the mushrooms so that they cook evenly. Cook about 3 minutes and add the balsamic vinegar and broth. Add the bay leaf and thyme.
  • Cover closely and cook over moderately low heat 10 minutes. Turn the pieces occasionally as they cook.
  • Transfer the pieces to a warm serving platter and cover with foil.
  • Let the sauce with the mushrooms cook, uncovered, over moderately high heat about 7 minutes. Swirl in the butter.
  • Remove and discard the bay leaf. Pour the mushrooms in sauce over the chicken and serve.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 409, UnsaturatedFat 17 grams, Carbohydrate 11 grams, Fat 26 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 32 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 793 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams, TransFat 0 grams

FREDS' CHICKEN SALAD WITH BALSAMIC DRESSING



Freds' Chicken Salad With Balsamic Dressing image

This salad is a perennial favorite at Freds, the glittery see-and-be-seen restaurant inside Barneys New York. The recipe calls for a whole roasted chicken, so you'll need to build in time to allow one to cool after roasting, or you can use leftovers or a store-bought rotisserie chicken instead. When prepping the vegetables and pear, make sure the pieces are more or less the same size. And remember to sprinkle the pear with lemon juice to keep it from discoloring, and cut the avocado just before serving. Precision never goes out of fashion.

Provided by Ginia Bellafante

Categories     brunch, dinner, lunch, salads and dressings, appetizer, main course

Time 45m

Yield 4 main-course servings, or 6 appetizer servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

1 4-pound chicken (or a store-bought rotisserie chicken, in which case skip to the dressing below)
1 1/2 tablespoons salt
1/2 bunch fresh thyme
1 lemon, quartered
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons sugar (optional)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup fresh pears diced in 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon lemon juice
4 large handfuls mixed greens, such as a boxed mix with fresh herbs
1 cup string beans cut in 1-inch pieces, blanched (from about 1/4 pound beans; see note)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup minced onion
2 ripe avocados, cut into 1-inch cubes

Steps:

  • Roast the chicken (if you're using a cooked, store-bought chicken, skip this step): Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place a rack in a roasting pan. Rub 1 tablespoon salt around the inside of the cavity, then stuff it with the thyme, lemon and garlic. Tie the legs closed with cooking twine. Rub olive oil over the entire bird, and sprinkle with 1/2 tablespoon salt and the black pepper. Place on the rack and roast for 72 to 80 minutes. After 72 minutes, begin testing for doneness by inserting a meat thermometer into the leg, close to the bone. The chicken is done when the thermometer reads 165 degrees. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
  • When cool enough to handle, remove the skin from the chicken. Use your hands to remove all the meat (remember, it will be hotter internally) and shred into 2-inch strips. If you're not going to make the salad for a few hours, place the meat in the refrigerator, but be sure to remove it and let come to room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes before serving, to bring out the best flavor.
  • Make the dressing: Place all the ingredients except the oil in a food processor and pulse for about 30 seconds, until everything is combined. With the machine on low, slowly drizzle in the oil until dressing is emulsified.
  • Assemble the salad: Drizzle pears with lemon juice to prevent them from browning. In a large mixing bowl, combine pears, greens, beans, tomatoes, onion, avocado and half the chicken meat. Add some of the dressing and toss to make sure everything is lightly coated, adding more dressing if needed. Divide the mixture equally among 4 or 6 plates. Lay the rest of the chicken on top and serve immediately, passing the remaining dressing in case people want to add more.

Tips:

  • To ensure the best flavor, select ripe and juicy tomatoes, sweet and crisp red onion, and fresh herbs like basil and oregano.
  • For a tangy twist, add a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar and a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the dressing.
  • For a creamy and rich salad, add 1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese or creamy goat cheese.
  • For a crunchy texture, add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or almonds.
  • For a flavorful and aromatic salad, grill the chicken breasts instead of boiling them.

Conclusion:

Balsamic vinegar chicken salad is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed as a light lunch, a refreshing dinner, or as a side dish at a picnic or potluck. With its combination of juicy chicken, fresh vegetables, and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette, this salad is sure to be a hit with everyone. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal that's also healthy and flavorful, give this balsamic vinegar chicken salad a try. You won't be disappointed!

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