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Chopped Fall Harvest Salad with Chicken – Eat the Gains

Introduction

Packed with hearty ingredients and vibrant autumn flavors, this Chopped Fall Harvest Salad with Chicken is the ultimate seasonal meal. Fresh diced apples, roasted sweet potatoes, crisp greens, and juicy chicken come together for a nutrient-dense salad that’s as comforting as it is delicious. It’s balanced, satisfying, and perfect for weeknight dinners or prepping ahead for healthy lunches that celebrate all the best of fall.

Deliciously Unique Chopped Fall Harvest Salad

What sets this salad apart is its stunning combination of sweet, tart, and savory ingredients: think spicy arugula, crunchy pecans, and creamy goat cheese or feta, all tossed in a tangy maple-Dijon vinaigrette. The chopped style ensures every forkful bursts with flavor and texture—making it a true crowd pleaser that you’ll want to make again and again.

Preparing Flavorful Chicken for Your Salad

Start by seasoning boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs with a mix of olive oil, salt, pepper, and a hint of smoked paprika. Roast or pan-sear the chicken until cooked through and juicy, then let it rest and chop into bite-sized pieces. This step locks in flavor and keeps the chicken tender, perfectly complementing the salad’s bold autumn notes.

Assembling Your Chopped Fall Harvest Salad

Layer your salad greens onto a large platter or bowl, then top with diced roasted sweet potato, chopped apple, sliced chicken, dried cranberries, crumbled cheese, and a sprinkle of toasted nuts. For a rustic look and an even distribution of ingredients, toss everything well before serving.

Serving Suggestions for a Show-Stopping Fall Salad

This salad is a complete meal on its own, but you can serve it with a slice of toasted sourdough or alongside a bowl of butternut squash soup for the ultimate autumn menu. Drizzle with extra vinaigrette before serving, and sprinkle some freshly cracked pepper or additional herbs for garnish.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves 4 as a main dish. Each serving provides approximately 400–500 calories, depending on cheese and vinaigrette amounts, and is packed with lean protein, fiber-rich produce, and healthy fats. It’s a powerhouse of nutrition and flavor for any fall meal.

Chopped Fall Harvest Salad with Chicken (Recap)

Enjoy the beautiful contrast of roasted and fresh, sweet and savory—all in one colorful bowl. This salad delivers the best of autumn produce, making it a fantastic pick for impressing family or guests during the harvest season.

Ingredients

For the Salad:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)

4 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, or kale work well)

1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced

1 crisp apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji), diced

1/3 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped and toasted

1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese or feta

For the Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette:

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional: Pinch of smoked paprika for chicken

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss diced sweet potato with a bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20–25 minutes, stirring halfway, until tender and edges are golden.
While sweet potatoes roast, season chicken with olive oil, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika (if using). Grill, pan-sear, or roast chicken until cooked through (internal temp 165°F), about 15–20 minutes. Allow to rest, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper for the vinaigrette.
In a large salad bowl, add greens, roasted sweet potato, diced apple, chopped chicken, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and crumbled cheese.
Drizzle with vinaigrette and toss until everything is evenly coated. Serve immediately, garnished with extra cheese and nuts if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Chopped Fall Harvest Salad is perfect for meal prepping. Save and schedule this recipe to plan which days to enjoy it, and generate smart shopping lists that consolidate ingredients from all your planned meals.

Planning Benefits:

Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities across multiple recipes
Organizes shopping lists by grocery store sections
Prevents duplicate purchases and forgotten ingredients
Keeps weekly meal prep efficient and organized

Pro tip: When planning several meals for the week, schedule your recipes to see ingredient overlaps—helping to reduce food waste and streamline prep.