Chicken Apple Bacon Walnut Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Recipe by: Regina Zona

“The perfect sweet, tart, salty, protein packed salad from cookingclassy.com.”

Ingredients:

FOR THE SALAD

  • 1 1/2 lbs cooked chicken breasts , diced into strips* (about 3 chicken breasts)
  • 6 – 8 slices bacon , cooked and diced
  • 3 medium apples , sliced
  • 3/4 cup chopped , toasted (or candied walnuts)
  • 9 oz spring mix lettuce (with spinach)
  • 6 oz crumbled feta
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries

FOR THE BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 1/2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp honey
  • 2 tsp dijon mustard
  • 2 Tbsp finely chopped shallot
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper , to taste

Instructions:

  1. Layer all salad ingredients into individual salad bowls or over plates. Serve drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette.
  2. For the balsamic vinaigrette: Add olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, and finely diced shallot to a blender.
  3. Season with salt and pepper to taste and blend mixture until well emulsified and thickened slightly. Store in refrigerator in an airtight container.