For the second part of my Canadian Tire Kitchen Crew mission featuring the Cuisinart Griddler 4-in-1 Grill, I decided to leave sandwiches behind and show off another way the Griddler could be used to whip up an easy and enviable lunch in under 20 minutes.
I've often used the Griddler to make grilled chicken breasts in the depths of winter, when it's too cold to walk outside and use the propane grill. I mean, I love me some grilled chicken no matter what time of year it is, but I don't love it enough to stand in ankle-deep snow in order to get my hands on it (I know this makes me a bad Canadian, but it's true... I'm a wuss when it comes to cold and snow).
Sure, a chicken breast fresh off the Griddler may not be quite the same as grilling over an open flame, but it comes pretty darn close. The ridged plate even creates perfect char marks on the surface, just like a real grill does!
Normally, if I'm grilling meats or sausages, I open up my Griddler and use it as a flat indoor grill to maximize the cooking surface... but since time was of the essence for this mission, I decided to use the Griddler as a contact grill instead, so that both sides of the chicken would cook simultaneously.
To shorten the cooking time even further, I also butterflied the chicken breasts to make them thinner and flatter. Lucky for me, the cooking surface on the Griddler is large enough to accomodate two butterflied chicken breasts without any trouble!
Those two little tricks make it possible to turn out a pair of perfectly juicy grilled chicken breasts in the time it takes to whisk together the dressing and prepare the rest of the salad fixin's. Easy peasy.
Let's talk about the rest of the salad for a minute, though - after all a good grilled chicken salad is as much about the supporting players as it is about the chicken itself.
This one combines a fall-inspired mix of tender baby salad greens and slices of tart apple tossed with a sweet maple-mustard vinaigrette, and garnishes it with tangy goat cheese crumbles and a sprinkling of fruit and nut trail mix. It's tangy, sweet, crispy and crunchy... perfect for fall.
Top the whole thing off with slices of cooled chicken breast, and it all adds up to a flavourful, colourful and substantial salad that'll help you power through that 2pm slump.
Disclosure:
I was provided with compensation, including a free Cuisinart Griddler 4-in-1, in exchange for creating this post for the Canadian Tire Kitchen Crew series.
The Kitchen Crew series highlights my stories, recipes & tips with promotional consideration made possible by Canadian Tire. If you want to uncover your kitchen's true potential, stay tuned to the Kitchen Crew for my weekly missions.
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Fall-Inspired Grilled Chicken Salad
- Yield: 2 1x
Description
The Cuisinart Griddler makes quick work of grilling seasoned, butterflied chicken breasts for this sweet and savoury fall-inspired salad. For a brown-bag lunch, pack all the components separately and assemble at the last minute.
Ingredients
Cajun Chicken Breasts
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp cajun spice mix
Maple-Mustard Vinaigrette
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tsp grainy old-fashioned mustard
- 1 small shallot, finely minced
- 1 clove garlic, pressed
- Salt and pepper
Salad Fixin's
- 4 cups mixed salad greens
- 2 small apples, cored and sliced
- ¼ cup mixed fruit and nut trail mix
- ¼ cup crumbled goat cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Set up the Griddler with the ridged side of the plates facing out and preheat to High.
- Meanwhile, butterfly each of the chicken breasts by slicing through it horizontally almost but not all the way through, then open up like a book. Sprinkle each breast on both sides with cajun seasoning.
- Once the Griddler is preheated, arrange the chicken breasts on the bottom plate. Close the lid, and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken breasts are cooked all the way through. Let cool for a minute or two, then cut into thin strips.
- Next, make the vinaigrette by whisking together all the ingredients in a small bowl.
- To assemble the salads, combine the greens and sliced apple in a large bowl, and toss with a few tablespoons of vinaigrette until evenly coated. Divide the salad between two plates, then top each one with trail mix, crumbled goat cheese and sliced chicken. Serve right away and enjoy.
Adora's Box says
What a fabulous salad! I'm an avid griller, too. I like all the aspects of your salad. I think meat and fruit go so well together. The trail mix and cheese are great bonuses.
myFudo says
Looks delicious, makes me crave for some grilled chicken :) Thanks for sharing. Love your blog.
★★★★★
Ruby says
Gorgeous salad and your dressing sounds mustardly lovely (I'm a mustard addict). I'm also groovin on that grill - it's now added to my wishlist. What I really wish, actually, is that companies would send ME free kit!
Kate @ Kate from Scratch says
You had me at goat cheese. Seriously. Fruit, nuts, salad, lots of other awesome stuff on this amazing chicken on top?! That's it, I'm shutting down my kitchen and coming over for dinner. Restaurant quality, for sure!
★★★★★
Tiffany says
Love this salad, seriously, making it tonight!
Pretend Chef says
This salad looks so delicious. I would love to get my hands on that Griddler and give this salad a try.
Hester @ Alchemy in the Kitchen says
Looks like an excellent salad - I love the use of the trail mix and look at those perfect grill marks!
Christine says
Love a good chicken salad... yours looks wonderful.
Anne@frommysweetheart says
Isabelle! What a great recipe! I love this type of chicken salad! You know, sometimes after summer it's so easy to fall into 'heavier' recipes as the cooler weather arrives. But I am really excited to try your maple mustard vinaigrette! And I think that will keep me enjoying salads a lot longer! (Glad you are still enjoying your new toy!)
Peggy says
I'm with you on being a wuss during the cold and snow. However, I make my other half bare the frigidness of grilling in the winter. But I think with one of these Griddlers, we could both win =) Salad sounds absolutely lovely!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts says
That chicken looks awesome! Love using it for more than just a sandwich!
Tina@flourtrader says
Wonderful list of ingredients. I really like the dressing recipe and the fact there is apple in there with the chicken. Well done.
Isabelle says
Apple in salads is a very common sight at my house, especially in the winter when most of the standard salad add-ins are looking pretty dismal. It adds a great sweetness and crunch.
Given that we're just getting into fall, it seemed like a total no-brainer here. :)
Mardi@eatlivetravelwrite says
I love a good grilled chicken salad and this looks perfect! Love the idea of the double sided grill to cook things faster!
Isabelle says
Yes, that double-sided function is really handy. I also use the same setup to cook slices of peameal bacon in the time it takes me to make scrambled eggs for breakfast!
Seriously, LOVE this Griddler. Always nice to be able to review a product that I genuinely enjoy using.
Susie says
The salad looks great. I like all the flavors you have added to it.
Liz @ Southern Charm says
This looks amazing! Perfect for fall.
Yesim says
looks yummy..
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
This salad does look so delicious! And I really want that Griddler!
David @ Frenchie and the Yankee says
Wonderful Isabelle. This looks delicious.