Chopped Fall Harvest Salad with Chicken – Eat the Gains

Introduction

A Chopped Fall Harvest Salad with Chicken brings together autumn’s best flavors in a hearty, nutritious meal. This colorful salad features crisp apples, roasted squash, crunchy pecans, and tender chicken, all tossed in a tangy vinaigrette. It’s a one-bowl wonder for busy weeknights, festive gatherings, or meal prep, offering balanced nutrition and seasonal flavor in every bite.

Why This Chopped Fall Harvest Salad with Chicken Stands Out

What makes this salad a true crowd-pleaser is its satisfying combination of textures and flavors. Earthy roasted vegetables, juicy apples, crisp greens, and roasted chicken provide both nutrition and comfort, all while being easy to assemble. The salad is as beautiful as it is delicious—perfect for impressing guests or brightening up your lunch routine.

Choosing and Prepping Your Fall Produce

To get the most out of your salad, select fresh, local produce whenever possible. Dice your apples and pears just before assembling to preserve their crispness. Roasting squash and brussels sprouts with a touch of olive oil, salt, and pepper enhances their natural sweetness and depth. If you’re short on time, use rotisserie chicken or meal-prepped chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces for easy eating.

Layering the Perfect Chopped Harvest Salad

Start by combining chopped leafy greens—such as kale, arugula, or spinach—with your roasted squash and sprouts. Mix in diced apple, dried cranberries, and toasted pecans for autumnal sweetness and crunch. Add your chicken and drizzle with a simple apple cider vinaigrette for tang and balance. Toss everything together for the ultimate fall harvest bowl that’s filling yet refreshing.

Serving Suggestions for Chopped Fall Harvest Salad with Chicken

Serve this salad as a stand-alone meal for lunch or a light dinner. Pair it with a slice of hearty whole-grain bread or a warming soup for a more substantial meal. For extra flavor, sprinkle goat cheese or feta over the top just before serving. The colors and flavors shine on a holiday buffet or as a make-ahead meal in your weekly rotation.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields approximately 4 generous servings. Each serving provides a balance of lean protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and ample fiber—ideal for supporting energy and satiety. Depending on your additions, each bowl contains roughly 430 calories, 30g protein, 18g fat, and 34g carbohydrate.

Chopped Fall Harvest Salad with Chicken (Recap)

This chopped salad is the perfect way to enjoy fall’s bounty, combining roasted vegetables, crisp fruit, and protein-rich chicken in every satisfying forkful. With its vibrant colors and bold, seasonal flavors, it’s sure to become a staple for both festive occasions and everyday meals.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and stress-free meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss cubed butternut squash and chopped brussels sprouts with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20–25 minutes until golden and tender.
2. While veggies roast, whisk together the vinaigrette: olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
3. Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces. If using rotisserie or pre-cooked chicken, remove skin and dice.
4. In a large bowl, combine greens, roasted squash, brussels sprouts, diced apple, cranberries, nuts, and chicken.
5. Drizzle salad with the vinaigrette. Toss well to coat all ingredients evenly.
6. Top with crumbled goat cheese or feta (if using). Taste and adjust seasonings with more salt or pepper as desired.
7. Serve immediately, or store in airtight containers for up to three days.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Chopped Fall Harvest Salad with Chicken is an ideal addition to your weekly meal prep. Save and schedule this recipe to better organize your meals and generate a smart shopping list that consolidates ingredients for all your planned dishes.

Planning Benefits:

• Consolidate total ingredient quantities when prepping multiple recipes
• Organize grocery lists by store sections for faster shopping
• Eliminate the guesswork of how much you need—no more forgotten items or overbuying
• Streamline meal prep days for healthier, easier home-cooked meals all week

Pro Tip: When planning your week, schedule multiple recipes to discover ingredient overlap. For example, if another planned dish uses kale or apples, the app will automatically update your shopping list, so you buy just the right amount—reducing food waste and saving time.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Enjoy the best of fall with this fresh, flavorful chopped salad—and make weekly meal planning a breeze!