Grilled Nectarine Arugula Chicken Salad (Printable)

Juicy grilled nectarines and tender chicken over peppery arugula with honey-lime dressing for a perfect summer meal.

# List of ingredients:

→ For the Salad

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 ripe nectarines, halved and pitted
03 - 6 cups fresh arugula
04 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
06 - 1/4 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped

→ For the Dressing

07 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
09 - 1 tablespoon honey
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ For Grilling

12 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
13 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# Steps:

01 - Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
02 - Brush the chicken breasts and nectarine halves with olive oil; season both sides with salt and pepper.
03 - Grill the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove and let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - While the chicken rests, grill the nectarine halves for 2-3 minutes per side, until lightly charred and tender. Remove and slice each half into wedges.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
06 - In a large bowl, combine arugula, red onion, and half the feta and nuts. Drizzle with half the dressing and toss gently.
07 - Arrange the salad on a platter or individual plates. Top with sliced chicken, grilled nectarine wedges, and the remaining feta and nuts. Drizzle with the remaining dressing.
08 - Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The warm grilled nectarines create this incredible sweet and smoky contrast against the cool crisp arugula
  • Its one of those salads that actually fills you up while still feeling light and refreshing
  • The honey lime dressing ties everything together with just the right amount of tang
02 -
  • Letting the chicken rest for those 5 minutes makes all the difference between juicy and dry meat
  • The nectarines should be ripe but still firm enough to hold up on the grill
  • Dress the greens right before serving or they will wilt under the weight of the dressing
03 -
  • Marinate the chicken in some of the dressing for 30 minutes before grilling for extra flavor
  • Toast your nuts in a dry pan for 2 minutes to bring out their natural oils

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