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Gorgonzola, Pear & Chicken Salad with Hazelnut and Balsamic Glaze

Gorgonzola, Pear & Chicken Salad With Hazelnut And Balsamic Glaze

This salad is a combination of textures. On the palate, you'll feel the creamy cheese, the crunchy hazelnuts, the soft, sweet pear, the meaty chicken and the herbaceous flavor of the spinach, all topped with a sweet and sour balsamic glaze.
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Gluten Free
Keyword: Balsamic Vinegar, Chicken, Gorgonzola, Hazelnut, Pear, Spinach
Difficulty: Beginner
Servings: 4
Calories: 427kcal

Ingredients

For the chicken and its marinade

  • 1½ pound chicken breast skinless, boneless
  • 2 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
  • 2 tsp thyme dried
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 pinch black pepper crushed

For the salad

  • 8 cup spinach
  • 2 tbsp hazelnut toasted, chopped
  • 4 tbsp gorgonzola cubed
  • 2 unit pears medium size

For the dressing

  • 2 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
  • ½ tbsp vinegar apple cider
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 pinch black pepper crushed
  • 2 tbsp balsamic glaze

Instructions

  • Start by marinating the chicken breast with the olive oil and thyme. Set aside. Palce a grilling pan on the stovetop and start to warm it up.
  • Cut the gorgonzola in cubes.
  • Toast the hazelnut. Once toasted, crush them and set aside.
  • Cut the pears in halve, then slice each half into slices of 1/8 and 1/4 inch thickness. Brush them with evoo and lemon, (see notes). Grill the pears for 1 minute on each side until they show the grilling marks. Set them aside.
  • Grill the chicken, until well cooked.
  • Assemble the salad starting by the spinach, the add the cheese, the pears, the chicken cut in slices, top with the hazelnuts and drizzle over the dressing and only at the end the balsamic glaze. Enjoy it!

Notes

  • The oil will avoid them to stick while grilling, while the lemon it will prevent the darkening.
  • You can sub the hazelnuts with pecans or walnuts.
  • If you cannot find gorgonzola cheese, you can replace with any other kind of blue cheese, Stilton is a good choice. 
  • If are in a rush you can skip grilling the pears, and just slice them. You can sub pears Granny Smith apples.
  • Instead of chicken, you can try this salad with beef strips.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 427kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 26g | Sodium: 460mg | Potassium: 1042mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 5833IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 152mg | Iron: 3mg
Have you tried to make it?Mention @Italian_Kitchen_Confessions or tag #Italian_Kitchen_Confessions!