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Chicken Apple Arugula Goat Cheese Salad

Chicken Apple Arugula Goat Cheese Salad

Arugula on its own is so peppery it can almost be too much. However, partnered with either walnuts, goat cheese, or in this case both, mellows the tanginess of the arugula. A perfect, light, luncheon salad.

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Chicken Apple Arugula Goat Cheese Salad Recipe

Ingredients

  • Olive oil
  • 1 large shallot, peeled and sliced
  • 1 1/2 lb skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch cubes
  • Salt
  • 1 tart green apple, thinly sliced
  • Baby arugula leaves - enough for a salad for four
  • 1/4 cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup goat cheese - broken up into little pieces
  • Lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper

Method

1 Heat stick-free frying pan to medium heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and lightly sauté the shallot slices until translucent. Remove from pan. Add another tablespoon of olive oil and cook the chicken breast pieces, stirring occasionally, until just cooked through - 5 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle some salt on the chicken while you are cooking it. Remove from pan and chill.

2 When chicken has cooled, toss together in a serving bowl the shallots, chicken, sliced green apple, arugula, walnuts and goat cheese. Dress with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste.

Serves four.

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8 Comments

That looks really delicious! I'm not sure how the cheese or the walnuts mellow the arugula--is it the richness of those ingredients? Regardless, it sounds like a great combination.

Posted by: Amy on November 15, 2005 11:40 AM

Hi Amy,
I don't know why the walnuts and cheese have that effect - I'm thinking it must be the richness. But for whatever reason, it really works. The tart apple offers a good complementary flavor as well.

Posted by: Elise on November 15, 2005 11:52 AM

I have realized rather recently, how much I love arugula. I have been wanting to look up some recipes, but also been wondering about the possibility of it being too much if not paired appropriately with other ingredients.
:-) thanks!
_loved reading the pom story. I dream of having a fruit tree in my yard one day.

Posted by: sleepypie on November 15, 2005 3:18 PM

Charlie Trotter recipe?

Posted by: simon on November 15, 2005 3:48 PM

Hi SleepyPie - I love your site! Thanks for dropping by.

Hi Simon - Uh, no actually, I made it up. We grow arugula, granny smith apples and walnuts on our property. I'm always looking for ways to use them up.

Posted by: Elise on November 15, 2005 4:40 PM

Ah yes - I remember now - Charlie used blue cheese (mild) in his and there were mixed leaves - not just Roquette (Rocket, Arugula)

Posted by: simon on November 17, 2005 2:55 AM

This is so delicious. My husband and I make it all the time. Thanks!

Posted by: Pam on January 15, 2008 1:23 PM

I usually use either baby arugula or a 50/50 mix of arugula and mesclun. Also, red grapes and dried cranberries are good additions to this salad; and a good botttled balsamic viniagrette can substitute for homemade dressing in a pinch.

I've been eating/serving variations on this salad for years, and people always seem to love the combination of flavors. It's just as good without the chicken -- as a side or for a vegetarian meal.

Posted by: valerie on July 21, 2008 5:14 PM

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