Grilled Nectarine Spinach Chicken Salad (Printable)
Vibrant summer salad with juicy grilled nectarines, tender chicken, fresh spinach, almonds, and tangy feta.
# List of ingredients:
→ Protein & Greens
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 6 cups baby spinach, washed and dried
→ Fruit & Vegetables
03 - 2 ripe nectarines, pitted and cut into wedges
04 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
→ Cheese & Nuts
06 - 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled
07 - 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
→ Marinade & Dressing
08 - 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
09 - 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
10 - 1 tsp honey
11 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
12 - 1 garlic clove, minced
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# Steps:
01 - Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
02 - Brush chicken breasts lightly with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
03 - Grill chicken for 5–6 minutes per side, or until fully cooked (internal temperature 165°F). Transfer to a plate to rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - While the chicken grills, brush nectarine wedges with a touch of olive oil. Grill for 1–2 minutes per side until charred and just softened. Remove and set aside.
05 - In a large bowl, whisk together remaining olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
06 - Add spinach, red onion, cherry tomatoes (if using), and half the almonds to the bowl. Toss gently with the dressing.
07 - Divide the spinach mixture among plates. Top each with sliced grilled chicken, grilled nectarines, crumbled feta, and the remaining toasted almonds.
08 - Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The warm grilled nectarines create this incredible sweet and smoky contrast against the cool crisp spinach
- Everything can be prepped ahead except the actual grilling, making it perfect for busy weeknight entertaining
02 -
- Letting the chicken rest for those full 5 minutes makes all the difference between juicy and dry meat
- Do not overcrowd the grill with nectarines or they will steam instead of developing those precious char marks
03 -
- Pat the chicken completely dry before seasoning to help you get better sear marks
- Room temperature nectarines grill more evenly than cold ones straight from the refrigerator