Grilled Chicken Peach Salad
A 25-minute grilled chicken and peach salad built on Ontario peaches at their summer best. High protein, heart-friendly, and about $5 a serving.
Ingredients
| large boneless, skinless chicken breasts | 2 |
| large Ontario peaches | 3 |
| baby spinach | 1 package (142 g) |
| red onion, thinly sliced | 1/2 onion |
| feta cheese, crumbled | 100 g |
| sliced almonds | 1/3 cup |
| olive oil, divided | 3 tbsp |
| balsamic vinegar | 3 tbsp |
| honey | 1 tbsp |
| salt | 1/2 tsp |
| black pepper | 1/4 tsp |
Steps
- 1Preheat your grill or a grill pan to medium-high heat.
- 2Pat the chicken dry, then rub it with 1 tbsp of the olive oil, the salt and the pepper.
- 3Grill the chicken 6 to 7 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches 74 C, then set it aside to rest.
- 4Brush the peach halves lightly with olive oil and grill cut side down for 3 to 4 minutes, until grill marks appear and they soften.
- 5Whisk the remaining olive oil, the balsamic vinegar and the honey into a dressing.
- 6Toast the sliced almonds in a dry pan over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, shaking often, until golden.
- 7Slice the rested chicken and the grilled peaches.
- 8Toss the spinach and red onion with half the dressing in a large bowl.
- 9Top with chicken, peaches, feta and almonds, drizzle with the rest of the dressing, and serve.
Ontario peaches are coming into season, and this grilled chicken peach salad puts them to work while they are at their summer best. Juicy grilled chicken, sweet charred peaches and salty feta over fresh baby spinach make a full dinner that never asks you to turn on the oven. It comes together in about 25 minutes and lands at roughly $5 a serving.
What are the best tips for grilling peaches?
The grill carries most of the work while you slice the onion and whisk the dressing, so the timing practically manages itself. Grilled peaches are the trick worth stealing, because a few minutes of heat turns even a slightly firm peach soft, jammy and caramelised at the edges. Do not skip resting the chicken before you slice it, since that rest is what keeps it juicy rather than dry. If it is too hot to stand at the barbecue, a grill pan or a regular skillet works fine indoors. Nectarines step in nicely when the peaches sell out, which they tend to do fast in late summer. For more warm-weather ideas, our summer lentil salad with feta and lemon and lemon herb salmon quinoa bowl run on the same fresh, quick logic.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make this grilled chicken peach salad without a grill?
Yes. This grilled chicken peach salad works indoors with a grill pan or even a regular skillet over medium-high heat. You will still get colour on the chicken and soft, caramelised peaches. A hot, dry pan and a couple of extra minutes give you nearly the same result as an outdoor barbecue.
What can I use instead of peaches?
Nectarines are the closest swap and are in season alongside Ontario peaches, so they slot in without changing anything else. Firm plums also work for a slightly tarter bite. Choose fruit that is ripe but still holds its shape, since very soft fruit falls apart on the grill.
How do I store the leftovers?
Store the dressing separately and the leftovers keep well for a day or two. The grilled chicken is just as good cold, tucked into a wrap the next day. Keep the spinach undressed until you are ready to eat so it stays crisp instead of wilting in the fridge.
Cook with your goals in mind
Want help building meals around your own health goals? You can find and book a dietitian near you on Medimap, or browse more recipes in the Health Hub.
This recipe is general information, not personalized dietary or medical advice. For guidance tailored to a health condition, talk to a registered dietitian or your doctor.
As a high protein salad, this grilled chicken peach salad brings lean protein from the chicken, healthy fats from the olive oil and almonds, and plenty of fibre, folate and iron from the spinach. Peaches add vitamin C and natural sweetness, so the dressing needs only a little honey. It is a balanced, heart-friendly dinner that will not leave you weighed down in the summer heat. If heart health is on your radar, our guide on why cholesterol can stay high even when you eat well makes a useful companion read.