Grilled Chicken Peach Arugula Salad (Print Version)

Juicy grilled chicken meets sweet peaches and peppery arugula topped with a tangy balsamic glaze.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad Components

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 ripe peaches, pitted and sliced
03 - 6 cups fresh arugula
04 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
05 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 1/4 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped

→ Marinade

07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
09 - 1 garlic clove, minced
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Balsamic Drizzle

12 - 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
13 - 2 teaspoons honey

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Coat chicken breasts thoroughly with marinade and allow to sit for 10 minutes.
02 - Place marinated chicken breasts on preheated grill. Cook for 5-6 minutes per side until fully cooked and juices run clear. Transfer to a clean plate and rest for 3-5 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.
03 - While chicken is cooking, lightly brush peach slices with olive oil. Grill for 1-2 minutes per side until grill marks appear and peaches soften slightly. Remove from heat and set aside.
04 - In a small saucepan, combine balsamic vinegar and honey. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened into a syrupy glaze. Allow to cool slightly before serving.
05 - Arrange fresh arugula on a large serving platter or individual plates. Layer with sliced grilled chicken, grilled peach slices, thinly sliced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and toasted pecans.
06 - Drizzle balsamic reduction evenly over salad immediately before serving. Serve while chicken is still warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes, which means dinner can happen even on nights when you've lost track of time.
  • The balsamic reduction tastes like you spent hours perfecting it, but you really just stood there for five minutes.
  • It's substantial enough to feel like a real meal but light enough that you won't regret eating it right before bed.
02 -
  • The balsamic reduction will thicken more as it cools, so pull it off the heat when it's still slightly looser than you think it should be.
  • Don't assemble the salad more than a few minutes before serving or the warm chicken will wilt the arugula into sadness.
03 -
  • Slice your chicken against the grain and you'll notice the difference in tenderness immediately; this one detail makes people think you're a better cook than you actually are.
  • Save those peach pits and throw them in a blender with some honey and ice water for a quick summer drink while you're cleaning up from dinner.
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