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The Best Arugula Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 127 reviews

A vibrant and flavorful arugula salad featuring grilled chicken, crispy bacon, sweet mandarin oranges, crunchy walnuts, and tangy goat cheese, all tossed with a rich balsamic vinaigrette. This salad is perfect for a light yet satisfying meal that balances savory and sweet elements with delightful textures.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad

  • 3 cups arugula
  • 5 ounces grilled chicken, sliced
  • 2 strips crispy bacon, crumbled
  • 1 mandarin orange, peeled and sectioned
  • 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
  • 1 ounce goat cheese, crumbled

Dressing

  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinaigrette
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking chicken)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Arugula: Place the 3 cups of fresh arugula on a medium-sized plate or in a bowl as the base for the salad.
  2. Cook Bacon: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and lay the strips of bacon flat. Bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until the bacon reaches your preferred level of crispiness. Alternatively, fry the bacon in a medium-high heat frying pan for about 3 minutes on each side until crispy. Once cooked, let the bacon cool and then crumble it into small pieces. Set aside.
  3. Grill Chicken: While the bacon is cooking, heat a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to grease the pan. Cook the chicken breasts for about 5 minutes on each side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove from heat and let the chicken cool slightly before slicing into strips.
  4. Prepare Mandarin Orange: Peel the mandarin orange and separate it into individual sections, ready for topping the salad.
  5. Chop Walnuts: Use a sharp knife to chop 1 tablespoon of walnuts into smaller pieces to distribute evenly across the salad.
  6. Assemble Salad: Layer the sliced grilled chicken, crumbled bacon, crumbled goat cheese, chopped walnuts, and mandarin orange sections over the bed of arugula.
  7. Add Dressing: Drizzle 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinaigrette over the salad just before serving. Toss gently if desired and enjoy your fresh, flavorful arugula salad!

Notes

  • Use fresh arugula for the best texture and flavor.
  • For a vegetarian option, omit the chicken and bacon, and add more walnuts or roasted chickpeas.
  • Bacon can be cooked in the oven or skillet depending on your preference.
  • Slicing chicken evenly ensures consistent cooking and better presentation.
  • Adjust the amount of balsamic vinaigrette according to your taste preference.
  • Walnuts can be toasted lightly to enhance their flavor if desired.

Keywords: arugula salad, grilled chicken salad, bacon salad, mandarin orange salad, walnut salad, goat cheese salad, balsamic vinaigrette salad

Find it online: https://nataliereeve.com/the-best-arugula-salad-recipe/