Welcome the fall season with this autumn harvest salad recipe!
Loaded with our favorite fall flavors like apples, candied pecans, sharp cheddar and apple cider, this simple salad has something for everyone!
Ingredients for this Autumn Salad Recipe
A combination of sweet and savory ingredients are what give this fall harvest salad its addictive quality:
- Romaine lettuce.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast
- Honeycrisp apples.
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Candied pecans. Also known as praline pecans, you can typically find them in the grocery store, especially this time of year.
- Thick cut bacon. I use turkey bacon when I make this salad. But you can certainly use whatever type you prefer. Any bacon is good bacon.
How to Make this Autumn Salad Recipe
Cook the Chicken
We’re giving the chicken a light dusting of flour and seasoning it simply with salt and pepper. Then, pan fry it in a little bit of olive oil.
As always, pan fry your chicken low and slow so that it’s tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Cook the Bacon
After you remove the chicken from the pan, put the bacon in.
If you slice it into small pieces before putting it into the pan, it will cook really quickly and you’ll be on to the next thing.
Make the Salad Dressing
Dijon mustard is my go-to base for most dressings. It has a wonderful versatility that lends a rich, silky texture to sauces and dressings without being actual cream or dairy.
Start by whisking it together with honey and vinegar until smooth. Then, keep whisking as you slowly pour in the oil.
Assemble the Salad
Divide the lettuce among serving plates. Slice the chicken and place it on top of the lettuce, followed by the bacon, cubed cheese, pecans and sliced apples.
Drizzle the dressing over top before serving.
Serving this Autumn Salad
Enjoy this delicious salad as a main dish or side dish, according to your preferences.
1. As a main dish: Keep it simple and enjoy this salad with some crusty bread on the side. I like to meal prep the individual ingredients in advance so we can have it as a quick weeknight meal.
2. As a side dish: Serve this salad in smaller portions on the side of a hearty soup or other main course. Salads are also becoming popular for holiday meals, and this one is a colorful addition to any holiday table.
What Kind of Apples to Use in a Fall Salad
The best kind of apples to use in an autumn salad recipe are the kind you like! Truly, there are no rules here.
When I originally created this recipe, I used Granny Smith apples because I love their tartness. But not everyone likes tart apples, so we use Honeycrisp apples now, which are the perfect balance of sweet and tart.
If you like a sweeter apple, try a Red Delicious. If you’ve been apple picking, you probably have a lot of Gala and Macoun apples in your house, which are also great options.
Variations for this Autumn Salad Recipe
Here are some ways to customize this delicious autumn salad to suit your preferences:
1. The greens: I always say, play to your audience when it comes to salad greens. For more adventurous palates, swap out the romaine lettuce for a mix of fresh greens, baby spinach or even kale.
2. The cheese: Although it’s tough to beat the apples and cheddar combo, cheeses like gorgonzola, Asiago and creamy goat cheese are tasty options.
3. The nuts: Adding pumpkin seeds, toasted almonds or salty sunflower meats is a great way to add crunchy texture to this salad.
Storing this Autumn Harvest Salad
It’s easy to store the individual components of this salad separately so that you can enjoy another salad the next day!
Store the chicken, bacon and cheese each in their own airtight container. Keep washed, undressed lettuce in a ziploc bag in the refrigerator.
Store the salad dressing in a mason jar or other sealed container so that you can give it a good shake to reconstitute the ingredients.
When you make this autumn harvest salad recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a rating or leave a comment below. Enjoy!
For more fall salad recipes, try these:
- Brussels Sprouts Salad with Cornbread Croutons
- Butternut Squash & Kale Salad with Chipotle Ranch Dressing
- Superfoods Salad with Green Goddess Dressing
For more fall recipes, try these:
- Apple Butter Cranberry Muffins with Streusel Topping
- Pumpkin Cheddar Lager Mac & Cheese
- Hearty Chicken & Vegetable Stew
Autumn Harvest Salad Recipe with Honey Dijon Dressing
Ingredients
The Salad
- 3 romaine hearts chopped, rinsed and dried
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese cut into cubes
- 1-2 Honeycrisp apples cored and sliced
- 1/2 cup candied pecans chopped
- 8 strips of bacon
- 3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cloves garlic minced
The Dressing
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Slice the chicken breasts in half to make 2 thinner breasts of the same size. You’ll end up with 4 cutlets. Heat olive oil and garlic in a skillet over medium heat, until the garlic starts to sizzle. Coat chicken with flour on both sides and tap off the excess. Place chicken cutlets into the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Cook until both sides are browned and the cutlets can be easily pierced with a fork, about 8 minutes each side. Remove onto a cutting board and slice into strips.
- Place the bacon into the same skillet and fry until crispy. Remove onto a cutting board and dice.
- Whisk first 3 dressing ingredients together in a small bowl. Whisking constantly, slowly pour in the oil. Season with salt and pepper.
- Assemble all salad ingredients in a large bowl. Pour dressing over salad and toss together.
Love this!
It’s one of my favorites too!