Market Salad Chick Fil A Recipe

The homemade version of Market Salad Chick Fil A Recipe is a popular and healthy meal choice known for its balance of sweet and savory flavors.

It features a mix of fresh greens, juicy fruits like strawberries and blueberries, and savory grilled chicken. The addition of crumbled blue cheese and a roasted nut blend adds richness and crunch.

This salad’s appeal lies in its versatility as a nutritious main course or light lunch, its visually appealing mix of colors and textures, and the harmonious blend of flavors achieved with a homemade apple cider vinaigrette enhanced with honey and mustard.

I will guide you step by step on how to prepare this salad and what ingredients are needed. So, Let’s start!

How Do You Make A Market Salad Chick Fil A Recipe?

Recipe Overview

• Preparation Time: 25 minutes
• Cooking Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: Serves 2
• Calories: Approximately 550 per serving

Ingredients

For The Dressing

• 3 tbsp lime juice
• ⅔ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp coarse ground black pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder

For The Salad

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup carrots, shredded
• ⅛ tsp coarse ground black pepper
• ¼ tsp paprika
• 16 cups spring mix salad, chopped
• 1 cup strawberries, cut in half
• 1 cup blueberries
• ½ cup blue cheese, crumbled
• 1 granny smith apple, chopped
• ¼ tsp kosher salt
• ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 cup roasted walnuts
• 1 cup granola

Step-By-Step Instructions

Preparing The Dressing

1. Combine ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, honey, kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until well blended.

2. Chill: Cover and refrigerate the dressing while you prepare the salad.

Cooking The Chicken

1. Season: Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and paprika.

2. Cook: Grill or pan-fry the chicken over medium heat for about 7-8 minutes on each side or until fully cooked.

3. Rest And Slice: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes, then slice it into thin strips.

Assembling The Salad

1. Prepare The Greens: In a large salad bowl, toss together the spring mix, shredded cabbage, and carrots.

2. Add Fruits And Cheese: Incorporate the blueberries, strawberries, chopped apple, and crumbled blue cheese.

3. Add Chicken And Toppings: Place the sliced chicken on top and sprinkle with roasted walnuts and granola.

4. Dress: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad just before serving.

Cooking Tips

Cooking Tips for Chick-fil-A Inspired Market Salad:

✔ Grill Chicken Evenly: Ensure your chicken breasts are of even thickness for uniform cooking. Consider pounding them slightly if needed.

✔ Dressing Consistency: For a well-emulsified dressing, slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking the other dressing ingredients.

✔ Freshness Matters: Use the freshest ingredients for the salad greens and fruits for the best taste and texture.

✔ Balance Flavors: Taste the dressing and adjust the acidity or sweetness as per your preference.

✔ Chill The Dressing: Refrigerate the dressing for at least an hour before serving to melt the flavors.

✔ Serve Immediately: Dress the salad right before serving to keep the greens crisp and prevent sogginess.

✔ Customize Toppings: Feel free to adjust the quantity of blue cheese, walnuts, and granola according to your taste.

✔ Room Temperature Chicken: Let the chicken come to room temperature before cooking for more even grilling or frying.

Serving Suggestions

Serving Suggestions for Chick fil A Inspired Market Salad:

➣ Pair With Protein: Serve with grilled shrimp or tofu for added protein options.

➣ Complement With Soup: Accompany with a light vegetable soup for a hearty meal.

➣ Bread On The Side: Offer slices of crusty bread or garlic toast.

➣ Wine Pairing: Pair with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Rosé.

➣ Refreshing Beverages: Serve with iced tea, lemonade, or a fruity mocktail for a refreshing touch.

➣ Cheese Variations: Offer additional cheese options like goat cheese or shaved Parmesan for guests to sprinkle on top.

Variation And Customize

Variations and customization for the Market Salad Chick Fil A Recipe can easily be made to suit different tastes and dietary needs.

For a vegetarian option, replace the chicken with grilled tofu or chickpeas. If you’re a seafood lover, grilled shrimp makes an excellent substitute for chicken.

For those who prefer different fruits, consider adding mandarin oranges, pomegranate seeds, or diced mango for a tropical twist.

Cheese lovers can experiment with goat cheese or shaved Parmesan instead of blue cheese. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, omit the granola or use a gluten-free variety.

Lastly, the dressing can be modified; for a lower-calorie option, use Greek yogurt as a base, or for a vegan variant, substitute honey with maple syrup.

These adjustments allow you to enjoy the salad while catering to your personal preferences or dietary requirements.

How To Store It?

Storing the Chick-fil-A-inspired Market Salad requires careful separation of ingredients to maintain freshness.

Keep the dressing in a separate airtight container and refrigerate it; it should stay fresh for up to a week. For the salad, store the greens, fruits, and vegetables in separate containers in the refrigerator.

The greens should be kept in a container lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture. Cooked chicken can be stored in another container and refrigerated for up to 2-3 days.

If you’ve used nuts or granola, store them at room temperature in airtight containers to preserve their crunch.

Assemble the salad components just before serving to ensure crispness and prevent sogginess.

This method of storing the components separately helps in maintaining the texture and flavor of the salad when you’re ready to enjoy it again.

Conclusion

The Market Salad Chick Fil A Recipe was not just a culinary endeavor but a delightful experience.

The blend of fresh greens, succulent chicken, and the burst of flavors from the fruits, coupled with the crunch of walnuts and granola, made every bite an absolute joy.

The homemade dressing brought the whole thing together brilliantly, striking the ideal mix between sweetness and tanginess.

Making the salad my way gave me a great deal of satisfaction, especially since it was so simple to change the components to accommodate dietary restrictions.

I highly recommend giving it a try. You won’t be disappointed!

If you have any questions, don’t forget to comment below. If you like this post, don’t forget to share it with your friends.

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