BLACKBERRY GOAT CHEESE SALAD
Sweet and salty, crispy yet creamy—this elevated salad delivers sophisticated flavor combinations with perfectly balanced textures in every bite.
Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes minutes
Total Time: 48 minutes minutes
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Plantopia
Servings: 4 servings
For the Blackberry Balsamic Dressing
- ½ cup fresh blackberries
- 2 Tbsp. white balsamic vinegar
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 Tbsp. honey
- 2 tsp. Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp. soy sauce or Tamari
- 1 large clove garlic minced
- Pinch fresh thyme leaves optional
- salt and pepper to taste
For the Salad
- 2-3 boneless skinless chicken breasts about 1.5 lbs
- 4 oz. 80 Acres Farms PLANTOPIA Crisp Spring Mix
- 1 cup fresh blackberries
- 1 avocado sliced
- ¼ cup red onion thinly sliced
- ? cup toasted walnuts roughly chopped
For the Fried Goat Cheese
- 8 oz. goat cheese log chilled
- ? cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg beaten with 1 Tbsp. water
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Neutral oil vegetable or grapeseed, for frying
Make the Dressing
Combine blackberries, vinegar, olive oil, honey, Dijon, tamari, garlic, and thyme in a blender. Puree until completely smooth, about 30-45 seconds.
Strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds (optional, for smoother texture). Season with salt and pepper. Reserve half for marinating; refrigerate the rest.
Marinate and Cook the Chicken
Pour half the dressing into a shallow dish or zip-top bag. Add chicken and marinate for 30 minutes to 4 hours (not overnight, as the acid can make chicken mushy).
Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400?). Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off.
Grill 5-6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Prepare the Fried Goat Cheese
Slice chilled goat cheese into 1/2-inch rounds (about 8 pieces).
Set up breading station: flour in one shallow dish, egg wash in another, and panko mixed with herbs in a third.
Coat each round: flour (shake off excess) ? egg wash ? herbed panko, pressing gently to adhere. Place on a plate.
Heat 1/4 inch oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry goat cheese rounds 1-2 minutes per side until golden. Transfer to paper towels immediately.
Assemble the Salad
Divide PLANTOPIA Crisp Spring Mix among 4 bowls. Arrange sliced chicken, fresh blackberries, avocado, red onion, and toasted walnuts on top.
Place 2 warm fried goat cheese rounds on each salad.
Drizzle with dressing and enjoy.
