Autumn Chopped Chicken Salad may just become your new favorite fall salad! Every bite is loaded with crisp pears, tangy cranberries, toasted pecans, feta, and juicy chicken.
We love Fall Salads like our popular Apple Broccoli Salad and Beet Salad with the same dressing you see here (it’s really THAT good!). This Chicken Salad has all of the best flavors of Autumn and it’s a feel-good salad.
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Fall Chicken Salad Recipe
This Fall Chopped Chicken Salad is easy, healthy and loaded with the best ingredients. It is paleo (if you use a goat/sheep milk feta), gluten-free and guilt-free, with all the flavor. This salad is perfect as a main course or side salad.
I sent text messages to all of my sisters telling them about this salad before it was posted – sometimes when things are just THIS GOOD, I just can’t help but share and I’m so excited to share it with all of you! Don’t judge my use of strange descriptors. I didn’t plan to share this screenshot with the world until just now. 
Ingredients for Chicken Salad & Balsamic Vinaigrette:
We love that the entire salad can be prepped ahead of time for parties and arranging. Just shake and add the homemade balsamic vinaigrette just before serving.
Seriously, friends, the dressing takes this salad to the next level. It couldn’t be easier and is a keeper of a recipe. You’ll want it on all of your Fall salads!
How to Make Chopped Chicken Salad:
This salad really requires very little effort. Cutting the chicken breasts in half cuts the cooking time in half and a salad spinner will make the lettuce prep easy peasy. Do you use a salad spinner? They are a wonderful tool and you’ll never have another soggy salad!
- Step 1: Season and sauté chicken and toast pecans
- Step 2: Chop and spin dry Salad – place in a large bowl.
- Step 3: Slice Pears and Cooked Chicken Breast and arrange over romaine lettuce in strips along with cranberries, feta and pecans.
How to Make Balsamic Vinaigrette:
The simple balsamic vinaigrette will win you over. It has the perfect combination of flavors and all you need is a mason jar to shake and serve. My friend Natalia shared this dressing recipe with me and it worked perfectly on this salad.
Combine dressing ingredients in a small mason jar. Cover with lid and shake vigorously to combine. If any separation occurs, shake again just before using. Drizzle balsamic vinaigrette over the salad, adding it to taste then toss to combine. We usually use about 3/4 of the dressing. Leftovers are a great problem to have! 😉
P.S. I prefer pressed garlic for this using a garlic press – you get more garlic flavor in the dressing.
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Can I Substitute Feta Cheese?
If you aren’t a fan of feta cheese or don’t have it on hand, try goat cheese instead. It has a similar, wonderfully tangy flavor that pairs really well with all of the ingredients and dressing in this salad. We use goat cheese and feta interchangeably in this salad.
Can I Use Rotisserie Chicken?
YES! We love the easy substitution of using chopped rotisserie chicken to make this a Rotisserie Chicken Salad. It becomes a no-cooking required salad that comes together quickly and is just as impressive. During the holidays, you can use leftover turkey to make it a Thanksgiving-worthy Turkey Salad.
More Chicken Salad Recipes:
We love chicken salads around here because they are a meal in themselves and are perfect for to-go lunches and meal prep!
- Avocado Chicken Salad – our most popular salad
- Chicken Potato Salad – A twist on the classic “Olivier”
- Chicken Mango Avocado Salad – Cheesecake Factory copycat!
Watch Natasha Make Chicken Salad:
I hope this Chopped Chicken Salad and Balsamic Dressing become a new favorite for you!
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Autumn Chopped Chicken Salad
Ingredients
Autumn Chopped Chicken Salad Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken breasts (2 large), trimmed and halved lengthwise
- 1/2 tsp Garlic salt , (or to taste)
- 1/8 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 head romaine lettuce, (8 cups chopped) rinsed and dried
- 2 pears, cored and sliced
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup pecans, lightly toasted on a dry skillet
- 1/2 cup feta cheese (4 oz), crumbled
Balsamic Vinaigrette Ingredients:
- 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, pressed or finely minced
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, (regular olive oil also works)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise so you have 4 thin cutlets. Season chicken cutlets on both sides with garlic salt and black pepper. Place a large skillet over medium heat with 1 Tbsp olive oil. Add chicken cutlets and sautee 3-4 minutes per side or until fully cooked through. Transfer to a cutting board and let chicken rest while preparing the salad then slice the chicken into strips.
- Meanwhile, in a medium dry skillet, toast pecans over medium heat for 5 minutes, tossing frequently or until pecans are fragrant and lightly golden. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped romaine, sliced pears, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, crumbled feta and cooked sliced chicken.
- Combine dressing ingredients in a small mason jar. Cover with lid and shake vigorously to combine. If any separation occurs, shake again just before using. Drizzle balsamic vinaigrette over the salad, adding it to taste then toss to combine.
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
This Autumn chicken salad is absolutely delicious; one you will make again and again!
Q: Do you have a go-to salad for Fall?
Let me know about it in a comment below! Speaking of chicken salads, don’t miss our chicken avocado salad which won the hearts of our readers with over 150 million views! Explore more of our favorite salads here.
Salad looks wonderful. What would you suggest in place of balsamic vinegar? I can’t have it.
You can try apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar too.
Salad was a hit! I made dressing with apple cider vinegar and a little extra brown sugar, and it was delicious.
Awesome! I’m happy to read your feedback, Sonya.
When I go to Print, the measurements are all wrong. Can you correct this please?
Hi Janna, did you possibly change the serving size in the print-friendly recipe portion? That would change the amounts in the lists of ingredients (but not in the numbered instructions below). I am seeing the correct amounts in the recipe print-friendly card with servings set to 8.
we did not like the dressing for this salad. It needs honey, or sweerner of some kind.
Hi Carol, this is not intended to be a sweet dressing, but you can add sweetness if you prefer.
Natasha- my go to Fall salad is usually endive, arugula, apples or pears, dried cranberries, honey glazed pecans, Gorgonzola and a maple vinaigrette. I was looking for something to do with leftover grilled chicken and this is perfect. Thanks so much.
Yum! That sounds amazing! Thank you for sharing that with me!
Hi Natasha!!!!
Can you use any other kind of cheese than feta or goat cheese? Not a fan of either one. I was thinking more like maybe mozzarella balls for a sub.
Cotija or Parmesan may work. Ricotta may also work but I haven’t tried it in this salad.
Natasha, you are making me a half way decent cook.
I made this salad for dinner tonight and loved it. So did my husband. As a main dish for two, next time I’ll cut the recipe in half. This is definitely something I’ll make as a side dish at family gatherings.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
So delicious! Served for a late lunch with friends! It was a hit! Your recipes are my “go-to” these days as I am cooking more at home! Thanks for your ideas and ease in instructing!
Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me! I’m all smiles Jude!
can i use roasted or chopped pencans that usually found in walmart store?
Hi Ria, I bet that could work! I would like to know how you like this recipe if you test it out!
This along with all the other salad recipe’s are awesome. They are easy to make healthy and very tasteful. Thanks for these awesome food ideas. And meaning to write it I like your new kitchen. Its nicely designed and the looks of the kitchen with your food is awesome. Good Luck for more recipes to come.
Thank you for your great comments and compliment. I appreciate it!
I really dislike Dijon mustard. But in this recipe it was wonderful! I like how simple and fast I could put this together. I feel like everything balanced out nicely. My husband loved it!
Thank you!
I’m so glad you both enjoyed this recipe Sarah! Thank you for that wonderful review.
Dear Natasha! I cook a lot of dishes according to your recipes! the family is happy! I wanted to ask, in a salad, autumn, balsamic sauce can be replaced with soy sauce?
Hi Helen, I haven’t tested that substitution to advise. We really enjoy the flavor of balsamic
hello, i m Daniela from Romania and i have a question : if it s not pancake syrup, what kind of maple syrup? it s difference, can you tell? thank you sugar !!! yours Daniela
Hi Daniela, what recipe are you referring to as you commented on the chicken salad recipe?
Could you replace the craisins with pomegranate arils? Do you think that would be a good replacement flavor wise?
Hi Samantha, I imagine that should work. If you experiment I would love to know how you like that.
I cannot tell you how many times I have made this salad, either the exact recipe or a variation. I have recently started using the dressing to dress greens that we have as a side for dinner. The dressing is robust enough to stand on its own.
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Jami!
IT’S A WHOLE NEW WORLD, MAKING THESE DIFFERENT SALADS. THANK YOU.
You’re welcome, Trish! I’m so glad you’re enjoying our recipes.
Absolutely loved the autumn crunch salad. Easy to put together and makes a beautiful presentation for a special event. Thank you so much for the recipes you post.
You’re welcome Lois! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for that recipe Kathleen!
This salad is amazing! The whole family loved it. It is now one of our favorites!
That’s so great! I’m so glad you found a favorite on our blog, Elena!
This salad is amazing!!! So delicious! My whole family loved it!! Easy to make and the flavors are awesome
Hi Jennifer, I’m so glad to hear the family enjoyed this! Thank you for that great review!
Amazing! Loved everything in this salad. I cut the recipe in half and made a perfect dinner for two
That’s so great, Natalia! I’m so glad you enjoyed that.
Love your recipes! Do you use white or dark balsamic vinegar in the Autumn Salad?
Hi Joyce, this was dark balsamic vinegar.
Hi Natasha, can you substitute dinon mustard for Regular yellow mustard in this salad?
Hi Lora, I imagine that would work too.