Blackberry Basil Chicken
Summer Salad
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This salad tastes like summer in the best possible way. Peppery arugula, juicy blackberries, creamy avocado, fresh basil, crunchy walnuts, tangy goat cheese, grilled chicken… and my simple everyday balsamic dressing tying everything together.
Every bite is:
- fresh
- crunchy
- creamy
- sweet
- savory
- bright
Which is exactly why I already know I’ll be making this over and over again all summer long.
Why This Salad Works
- Gluten free
- High protein
- Perfect for lunch or dinner
- Great for hosting
- Fresh summer ingredients
- Feels impressive with very little effort
The Ingredient Combination Is So Good
At first glance, blackberries and basil might feel unexpected in a salad.
But together? They’re incredible.
The sweet blackberries with the fresh basil, creamy goat cheese, and peppery arugula create the kind of flavor combination that makes you keep going back for another bite. And then the walnuts add crunch…
Honestly the texture situation here deserves attention.
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The Grilled Chicken Makes It a Meal
This isn’t a “tiny side salad pretending to be dinner” situation.
Grilled chicken turns this into a filling, balanced meal that works:
- for lunch
- for dinner
- meal prep
- or serving a group of people during summer gatherings
Simple grilled chicken is all you need. Nothing complicated.
and if you don’t have a grill – don’t worry, we are currently using our camping grill – oops. Use some store bough shredded chicken or rotisserie chicken – short cuts are the best!
My Everyday Balsamic Dressing
I use this dressing constantly because it works on basically everything. No stirring required – just put everything in a container with a lid and shake!
Simple ingredients:
- balsamic vinegar
- olive oil
- garlic
- dijon mustard
- salt + pepper
That’s it. Fresh, tangy, and perfect with the sweetness of the berries and richness of the avocado.
Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I use all of the products that I link and reccommend them because they are high quality products that I trust.
Perfect for Summer Hosting
This salad feels elevated without requiring a million ingredients or hours in the kitchen.
Serve it:
- at cookouts
- for lunch with friends
- next to grilled proteins
- or as a full dinner salad with extra chicken
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Easy Add-Ins
Want to switch it up?
Add:
- grilled peaches
- pickled onions
- quinoa
- toasted almonds
- hot honey drizzle
But honestly? The original combination is hard to beat.
This salad is everything I want summer food to be: fresh, flavorful, colorful, simple, and satisfying.
And if you need a salad that actually feels exciting to eat…This is the one.
Blackberry Basil Chicken Summer Salad
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2-4 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Description
This blackberry basil chicken salad is packed with arugula, avocado, goat cheese, walnuts, and balsamic dressing for the perfect summer meal.
Ingredients
- 2 large handfuls arugula
- 10 basil leaves (thinly sliced or left whole, you decide)
- 2 grilled chicken breasts, sliced thinly (or rotisserie chicken or store bought shredded chicken work great too)
- 1/2 avocado, sliced thinly
- 1/4 cup walnuts
- 1 cup blackberries (or around 12)
- 2 tablespoons goat cheese
My Everyday Balsamic Dressing
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced or grated
- 1/4 teaspoon each sea salt and black pepper
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
- To assemble the salad, place the arugula and basil in a shallow bowl. Dress the greens with 1-2 tablespoons of dressing (if serving right away)
- Place the sliced chicken on top and add in the avocado, walnuts, blackberries and goat cheese.
Notes
I like to lightly dress the greens before adding any of the toppings – if you are serving this to guests, it works great this way because the presentation of the salad looks great. Serve additional dressing on the side. Or keep the dressing off completely and add when ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 5
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, salad
- Method: Grilling
Hi, I'm Kat.
Thanks for being here.
Hi, I’m Kat — a Colorado-based Personal Chef and the heart behind White Sparrow Food Company. As a business owner, a soccer Mom to two daughters and always being asked “What’s for dinner?” – I get the challenges of everyday life.
Here, I share the same easy, wholesome, gluten free recipes I cook for my clients, made simple for real life at home. All recipes that YOU can make in your kitchen.
Take a look around, get inspired, and stay awhile — I’m so happy you’re here.
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