Grilled Chicken Arugula and Pear Salad with Toasted Walnuts

January 29, 2016

Grilled Chicken Arugula and Pear Salad with Toasted Walnuts


Though I like to consider myself a somewhat navigated blogger, many things I do on this blog point in the opposite direction.
Such as struggling to reply in a timely manner to your comments and emails or like I’m still having some serious problems with social media: such as forgetting to post new pictures on IG (ouch!), not engaging enough with the readers, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera…
But what really I’m bad at, is planning ahead.
I know for a fact that almost all of my fellow food bloggers have scheduled posts for the next weeks, months, years to come.
And I’m also fairly certain that they have already planned next week’s social media updates. You don’t believe me? Ask ‘em!

Walnuts


While, as far as I’m concerned, I barely know what I will be posting today.
Look, if you asked me what Monday’s post will be like, I’d have to say in all honesty “I have no effin clue!”
Something sweet? Something savory? I dunno people.
I don’t even know if there’s going to be a post on Monday.
Maybe, maybe not, it depends...

Pears


Is it bad thing? Probably, but it’s my thing and I don’t think I will be able to change.
What I really enjoy about my total lack of planning is that this blog reflects what’s happening in my kitchen at a given moment in time.
Like yesterday, for instance, I was feeling like having a salad with grilled chicken, arugula, pears, and walnuts.
So I made it, took some decent pictures in the process, and ate it. All.
It was delicious, so delicious I decided it was worth sharing it with you.
There’s something scrumptious about arugula, pears, celery, and walnuts. It’s one of those flavor combos that just works.
I added some grilled chicken and some Parmesan shaving to this salad, for a complete meal. But if you want to keep it vegan, just leave them out.

Grilled Chicken Arugula and Pear Salad with Toasted Walnuts


I really feel like you need to give this salad a try, it’s L.E.G.I.T.

Grilled Chicken Arugula and Pear Salad with Toasted Walnuts


Grilled Chicken Arugula and Pear Salad with Toasted Walnuts                                    Print this recipe!

Ingredients
Serves 4

1 lb / 453 gr boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Juice of two lemons, divided
5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Ground black pepper to taste
Fine grain salt to taste
6 cups baby arugula leaves
2 pears, thinly sliced
2 celery stalks, diced
¼ cup toasted walnuts, chopped
Parmesan cheese shavings (optional)

Directions

Preheat a grill or a grill pan to medium-high (if you’re using an outdoor grill lightly oil the grill grates).
Place chicken breast in a shallow dish. Pour the juice of two lemons and 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the chicken, season with black pepper and salt and thoroughly coat all the chicken.
Grill for about 10 to 15 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and juices run clear (the temperature should register 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.)
Remove and let cool slightly before slicing. Set aside.
To make the salad, add the arugula in a large bowl (or in single-serving bowls) and toss it with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Add the chicken on top along with the sliced pears, diced celery, walnuts, and Parmesan shavings.
Drizzle with remaining juice of one lemon and olive oil and serve!

Nutrition facts

One serving yields 473 calories, 29 grams of fat, 20 grams of carbs, and 38 grams of protein.

25 comments:

  1. I'm not a planner either, huzzah! I heart walnuts and pears together, just perfection. Now that baby is here my chicken aversion is gone so this salad is sure to make an appearance on my table :)

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    1. It's such a relief knowing that I'm not the only that sucks at planning... ;)

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  2. I hear you on planning ahead. Thanks for the recipe I might try it (need to focus on meal planning more).

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  3. I love pears and walnuts I need to make this salad looks so good!


    http://xoxobella.com

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  4. Oh wow this combi looks amazing

    Kisses from www.poshnessary.com

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  5. Walnuts are so. dang. good! Love the sweet pear to complement the nutty arugula :)

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    1. I love pairing pears and arugula, there's something special about it!

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  6. Haha my blog is totally the same way. Yesterday I decided I'm going to start doing Sunday morning health cartoons just to force myself into some consistency.

    Maybe because it was a spontaneous burst of a food blog anyways...

    Your blog is actually in my top three blogs on the Internet (shout out to IBIH and and All Day I Dream About Food) so who cares if you don't plan?

    It's actually even more impressive that you're skills are so quick ;)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Ainsley, your comment made my day!

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  7. Dude, I am the same as far as a total lack of a schedule is concerned , I've been feeling so guilty thato most times i wor on myour poats the night before they post..even the sponsored ones...but now I know am not alone am feeling a lot less guilty!
    BTW you are right this salad is awesmazingly legit!

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    Replies
    1. My inability to plan ahead is the very reason why I don't do sponsored posts. I would miss all the deadlines and it would be a total disaster...

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  8. To each its own, that's what I say... yes, I have post written and waiting, usually three or four are scheduled. BUT, some are things I cooked MONTHS earlier.

    I am pretty good at replying to comments - but truth is, I am not that popular, so the number of comments I get are humanly manageable. Here, a toast to being unpopular ;-)

    I almost never have a Thanksgiving post ahead of the date, or a 4th of July post a week before - I blog about whatever I feel like it, and the only thing I try to pay attention to is variety - I never blog on two dessert things in a row, or two meat dishes, or two seafood.. or two breads.. you get the idea.

    apart from that... I do whatever I feel like it. It is my blog after all... ;-)

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    1. I love the way you roll Sally. Just doing your thing...That's badass!

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  9. I really try to plan a week out for posts, but let's get real. Life's always in session and I just never seem to get there. I'm with you in that aspect. BUT I do know one thing, and that's that I'd need a bigger bowl for this salad.

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    1. I'm glad to hear that Kev, because I thought you were one of the most organized blogger out there! :)

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  10. Hi Mike, I never know what I'm going to prepare day to day either, it's just the way I am. Beautiful salad, love this combination.

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  11. I usually try to come up with a good plan, but it's the execution that's the problem - there's never enough time to get it all done and I'm perpetually behind but maybe that's ok because spontaneity is a wonderful thing! I always think your posts are awesome, so no need to plan ahead, maybe you're at your best creativity in the moment! :)

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  12. It doesn't matter what other blogger's planning process is, what matters is you have something that works for you :)

    I'm digging this simple but delicious salad, I'll have to whip it up soon!

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  13. I love the combination here!! Sounds so good with pear & arugula!!

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  14. Don't worry, I'm really bad at planning ahead too, I never know what recipe I am posting until the day of! This salad sounds delicious and I love the addition of pear and walnuts to round out this complete meal! :)

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  15. Okay, so this is hands down one of the best salads I've ever had. The simplicity of it really makes the flavors shine through.

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