Ultimate Summer Delight: Grilled Chicken & Peach Salad with Homemade Honey Peach Vinaigrette
There’s nothing quite like the vibrant flavors of summer, and this Grilled Chicken & Peach Salad encapsulates everything we adore about the season in one magnificent bowl. Imagine crisp, fresh greens forming the perfect base, generously adorned with tender, perfectly grilled chicken, slices of succulent, juicy peaches, sweet bursts of blueberries, thinly sliced red onions adding a subtle bite, and ripe, colorful tomatoes. But the star that ties all these incredible elements together? A luscious, homemade Honey Peach Vinaigrette, drizzled generously over every component, elevating this salad from delicious to absolutely unforgettable. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a celebration of summer’s bounty, a refreshing and satisfying dish that promises to become a staple in your warm-weather culinary rotation.
When summer rolls around, my excitement for peach season is palpable. It’s a culinary anticipation that builds throughout the year, culminating in those precious weeks when these fuzzy, fragrant fruits are at their peak. As soon as they appear, I make it a ritual to load up on peaches every single week. There’s something truly magical about biting into a perfectly ripe peach – the sweetness, the juiciness, the unique aroma – it’s an experience that defines summer for me.
My quest for the ideal peach often leads me to the local farmers’ markets each weekend. There, I meticulously scout for the biggest, most fragrant, and juiciest peaches available. While their shelf life can be notoriously short, it’s rarely an issue when you’re savoring two to three peaches a day, whether eaten fresh out of hand or expertly sliced to become a star ingredient in this exquisite Grilled Chicken & Peach Salad. Choosing the best peaches is key to this recipe’s success. Look for peaches that are vibrant in color, feel slightly soft to the touch around the stem, and emit a sweet, inviting aroma. Avoid any with green spots or bruises, as these indicate under-ripeness or damage. Once home, store them at room temperature until perfectly ripe, then transfer them to the refrigerator to extend their freshness for a few extra days.
This salad truly is a symphony of summer’s finest. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. The base of crisp, vibrant spring mix provides a refreshing crunch and a canvas for the other ingredients. The star protein, tender grilled chicken, is seasoned simply yet perfectly, offering a savory counterpoint to the sweet fruits. Grilling the chicken imparts a smoky flavor and beautiful char marks, enhancing its appeal and adding another layer of complexity to the dish. Ensure your chicken breasts are cooked through but remain moist by not overcooking them; resting the chicken after grilling is crucial for juicy results. The star of the show, of course, is the juicy peaches, their natural sweetness providing a burst of sunshine in every bite. Complementing the peaches are sweet blueberries, which add a lovely pop of color and an additional layer of fruity flavor. For an added textural delight and a nutty undertone, a generous scattering of sliced almonds is essential. Thanks to convenient products like the new Shake & Spoon™ line from Diamond Nuts, adding a dash of nuts to your recipes is easier than ever. Simply pop open the container, sprinkle them over your salad, and enjoy the instant crunch and flavor boost. Rounding out the salad are thinly sliced red onions, which contribute a mild, zesty kick without overpowering the delicate flavors, and ripe grape tomatoes, adding their own burst of juiciness and a touch of savory balance.
But what truly elevates this already spectacular salad is the homemade Honey Peach Vinaigrette. Given my unwavering adoration for peaches during the summer months, creating a dressing that highlights their sweet, vibrant essence was a must. This vinaigrette isn’t just sweet; it’s a perfectly balanced concoction that’s savory, a little tangy, and incredibly aromatic. Made with fresh peaches, a touch of garlic for depth, Dijon mustard for emulsification, honey for sweetness, and white wine vinegar for that essential tang, it’s finished with a good quality olive oil. The result is a smooth, creamy, and utterly irresistible dressing that perfectly complements every ingredient in the salad. It’s a testament to how fresh, simple ingredients can be transformed into something extraordinary. This homemade vinaigrette is far superior to any store-bought alternative, offering a freshness and flavor profile that can’t be matched. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile and can be used on other green salads, grilled vegetables, or even as a light marinade for chicken or fish.
This Grilled Chicken & Peach Salad is more than just a meal; it’s an experience. It’s the taste of sunny days, leisurely afternoons, and the simple pleasures of eating fresh, wholesome food. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, looking for a light yet satisfying weeknight dinner, or preparing a vibrant dish for a potluck, this salad is guaranteed to impress. Its combination of lean protein, fresh produce, and healthy fats makes it a fantastic choice for a nutritious and delicious meal. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to savor the best of summer in every single bite. Enjoy the process of creating it, and even more, enjoy the delightful flavors that burst forth with each forkful!
Grilled Chicken & Peach Salad with Honey Peach Vinaigrette
Experience the ultimate taste of summer with this refreshing Grilled Chicken & Peach Salad. Featuring tender grilled chicken, juicy peaches, sweet blueberries, crisp greens, red onions, and ripe tomatoes, all beautifully dressed in a vibrant homemade Honey Peach Vinaigrette. It’s a healthy, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish perfect for any summer occasion.
Yield: 4 servings
Total Time: 22 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Summer Salad
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (10-ounce) bag fresh spring mix
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onions
- 1 (8-ounce) container grape tomatoes, halved
- 2 large ripe peaches, carefully sliced
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/2 cup Diamond Shake & Spoon™ Sliced Almonds (for crunch)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the Honey Peach Vinaigrette
- 2 ripe peaches, peeled and pitted
- 1 small clove garlic, roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey (or maple syrup for a vegan option)
- 1/3 cup white wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions:
- Prepare and Grill the Chicken: Preheat your gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat. Season both sides of the boneless, skinless chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Place the seasoned chicken on the preheated grill and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the chicken is fully cooked through with nice grill marks. Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest on a cutting board for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring tender and moist chicken.
- Assemble the Salad: While the chicken is resting, in a large mixing bowl, combine the fresh spring mix, thinly sliced red onions, halved grape tomatoes, sliced ripe peaches, and fresh blueberries. Gently toss these ingredients together to combine them evenly. Once the chicken has rested, slice it into strips or bite-sized pieces and arrange it over the top of the salad mixture. Sprinkle with Diamond Shake & Spoon™ Sliced Almonds for an added delightful crunch.
- Make the Honey Peach Vinaigrette: To prepare the vibrant vinaigrette, add the peeled and pitted peaches, roughly chopped garlic, Dijon mustard, honey, and white wine vinegar to the bowl of a food processor or a high-speed blender. Pulse the mixture until it becomes completely smooth and creamy. With the processor or blender still running on low speed, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil until the vinaigrette is emulsified and well combined. Season the vinaigrette with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting as needed to achieve your desired balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors.
- Serve: Drizzle the homemade Honey Peach Vinaigrette generously over the assembled Grilled Chicken & Peach Salad. Serve immediately and savor every fresh, flavorful bite!
All images and text ©One Sweet Mess.
Disclosure: This recipe was thoughtfully developed for the lovely folks at Diamond Nuts. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. Thank you for your continued support of my recipes and this site as I collaborate with brands that I genuinely adore and trust.