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This Winter Salad is packed full of flavor and texture from the radicchio to the Gorgonzola and finished perfectly with a homemade honey Dijon dressing. Serve as a side salad or as a main dish for dinner or lunch.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
Quick and Easy. I recently served this at a lunch for a luncheon and it was a huge hit and everyone loved it. The best part was how quick and easy it was to prepare.
Flavorful: The honey dijon dressing on this salad is so good! That along with all the yummy flavors of the nuts, fruit, and cheese create an amazing salad.
Main Dish Salad: Because this salad has chicken, all you need to do is add a loaf of bread and you have a complete meal. Serve without chicken for the perfect side dish.
Ingredients Needed
- Lettuce. I used a combination romaine lettuce and also radicchio which gives the salad some great color. Radicchio is not the same as red cabbage although it looks similar.
- Fruit. A crispy apple like a Honey Crisp is perfect and I also used some dried cranberries.
- Nuts.I tend to use walnuts more in the winter but you can substitute in your favorite nut. I like to candy the walnuts and you can read how to do that here. Candied pecans would also be delish!
- Cranberries. Dried cranberries or dried cherries.
- Cheese. I prefer Gorgonzola, but Feta cheese or goat cheese is another great option.
- Cooked, Shredded or Diced Chicken
- Dijon mustard
- White Wine Vinegar
- Honey. Could also use maple syrup
- Olive oil
- Salt and Pepper
How to Make Winter Salad
- Wash and roughly chop your radicchio and romaine and place in a large salad bowl.
- Dice cooked chicken and apple and add it to the bowl.
- Add dried cranberries, nuts and cheese.
- Add mustard, vinegar, honey, oil and salt and pepper to a mason jar.
- Whisk together until fully incorporated.
- Taste and adjust the seasonings.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat. Store any leftover dressing in a mason jar in the fridge.
Tips from leigh Anne
- This winter salad is totally customizable. You can switch out the type of lettuce, cheese, nuts and fruit you use. Here are some other options:
- Some other additions that would be delicious include golden raisins, pomegranate arils, sliced raw brussels sprouts, red onions, cubed, roasted butternut squash or sweet potatoes, beets or any favorite vegetables.
- For an easier dressing idea, use some olive oil and a flavored balsamic vinaigrette.
- Use a different combination of greens including kale, baby spinach, or arugula.
Pair This With:
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I store leftover winter salad?
This salad is best enjoyed right after adding the dressing. You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days without dressing on it..
Can I prep this salad ahead of time?
You can chop, roast and assemble dressing ingredients but I recommend waiting to add the dressing until right before you are ready to serve it.
Check out more of my favorite recipes:
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Winter Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Dressing:
- 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 3 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. honey
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- salt and pepper
Salad:
- 1 small head radicchio cored and finely chopped
- 2 heads romaine lettuce finely chopped
- 2-3 cups cooked chicken breasts
- 1 apple Gala or Honey Crisp, diced
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup candied walnuts coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup Gorgonzola cheese crumbled
Instructions
To make dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mustard, vinegar, honey, oil and salt and pepper to taste. Taste and adjust the seasonings.
To make Salad:
- Place the radicchio, romaine, chicken, apple, cranberries, nuts and cheese in a large salad bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
- Sprinkle with pepper, if desired and serve
Tips & Notes:
- This winter salad is totally customizable. You can switch out the type of lettuce, cheese, nuts and fruit you use. Here are some other options:
- Some other additions that would be delicious include golden raisins, pomegranate arils, sliced raw brussels sprouts, red onions, cubed, roasted butternut squash or sweet potatoes, beets or any favorite vegetables.
- For an easier dressing idea, use some olive oil and a flavored balsamic vinaigrette.
- Use a different combination of greens including kale, baby spinach, or arugula.
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Nutrition Facts:
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