🥗✨ Sumptuous Summer Salad with Balsamic Crockpot Chicken
This Sumptuous Summer Salad features fresh spinach, apples, avocado, pecans, and feta, paired with tender balsamic crockpot chicken. Topped with a sweet and tangy homemade dressing, it’s a vibrant and satisfying meal perfect for any summer occasion! 🥗✨
Elevate your summer meals with this refreshing and protein-packed salad, featuring tender balsamic chicken and a medley of fresh, vibrant ingredients. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep, this dish combines bold flavors and wholesome ingredients for a delightful balance of taste and nutrition.
Balsamic Crockpot Chicken
Ingredients
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup water
Instructions
1. Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, minced garlic, and water.
2. Set Up the Crockpot: Pour a quarter of the sauce into the bottom of the slow cooker, then add the chicken breasts. Pour the remaining sauce over the chicken.
3. Cook the Chicken: Cover with the lid and cook on low heat for 6 hours or high heat for 3 hoursuntil the chicken is tender and falls apart.
4. Serve: Spoon the balsamic juices over the chicken before serving. Perfect for topping salads, rice bowls, or enjoying on its own!
Sumptuous Summer Salad
Ingredients
• 10 ounces fresh spinach
• 2 large Honeycrisp apples, cored and thinly sliced
• 1 large avocado, sliced
• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup roughly chopped candied pecans (or walnuts/almonds)
• 3/4 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
For the Dressing
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Dash of salt and ground black pepper
Instructions
1. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
2. Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine spinach, apple slices, avocado, red onion, pecans, and cheese.
3. Serve: Drizzle with the dressing and toss gently to coat. Alternatively, plate the salad and serve the dressing on the side for individual customization.
Why You’ll Love It
• Tender, Flavorful Chicken: The balsamic marinade gives the chicken a sweet, tangy depth of flavor.
• Fresh and Vibrant Salad: Crisp apples, creamy avocado, and tangy cheese create a delightful mix of textures and tastes.
• Customizable and Nutritious: Swap ingredients like walnuts for pecans or goat cheese for feta to suit your preferences.
Serve this salad as a stand-alone meal or pair it with the crockpot chicken for a protein-packed dish that’s perfect for summer gatherings or weeknight dinners!