Apple Cheddar Grilled Chicken Salad (Printable Recipe)

Juicy grilled chicken, crisp apples, and aged white cheddar with a sweet-tangy honey-apple cider vinaigrette that doubles as marinade.

# Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Honey Apple Cider Marinade and Vinaigrette

01 - 120ml olive oil
02 - 120ml honey
03 - 120ml apple cider vinegar
04 - 60ml dijon or honey mustard
05 - 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
06 - 1 ½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

→ Chicken and Salad

07 - 570g boneless skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
08 - 6 cups mixed greens (romaine and kale)
09 - 1 large apple, cored and very thinly sliced
10 - 1 cup aged white cheddar, crumbled or grated
11 - ½ cup orange-flavored dried cranberries
12 - ½ cup sliced almonds or preferred nuts

# Steps to Follow:

01 - In a medium glass jar with a lid, combine olive oil, honey, apple cider vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper. Seal and shake vigorously until well blended. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Divide mixture in half, reserving one portion for later use as salad dressing.
02 - Place chicken in a large ziplock bag and add the remaining half of the marinade. Seal bag and toss to ensure chicken is evenly coated. Marinate for at least 20 minutes at room temperature, or preferably overnight in the refrigerator for more tender results.
03 - Preheat grill to high heat. Place marinated chicken on the grill, reduce heat to medium, and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F). Transfer chicken to a platter and allow to rest while preparing the salad.
04 - In a large serving bowl or on individual plates, arrange the mixed greens, thinly sliced apple, crumbled white cheddar, dried cranberries, and nuts.
05 - Slice the rested chicken and arrange over the salad. Drizzle with the reserved vinaigrette, toss gently to combine, and serve immediately. Store any unused dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

# Extra Tips:

01 - For best flavor, marinate the chicken overnight in the refrigerator.
02 - Try Envy, Gala, or Fuji apples for optimal sweetness and crunch.
03 - Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar works particularly well in this recipe, but any quality aged white cheddar will suffice.

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