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Home By Meal Lunch and Dinner

Fall Harvest Salad

★★★★★ 39 Reviews Recipe Print
gf
By: Erin11/2/21

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Fall Harvest Salad
Fall Harvest Salad

Embrace all of the autumn vibes with this tasty Fall Harvest Salad. Made with sweet potato, chicken breast, cranberries, and pecans, it’s a delicious meal sure to leave you full and satisfied for hours.

A rich and delicious autumn salad

I’m a firm believer that no meal should be boring, not even salads. In fact, salads should be exciting! When created correctly, they pack in so much flavor and can serve as super filling, satisfying, and delicious meals.

On my quest to create the perfect autumn-inspired salad, I knew that I somehow needed to include cranberries, chopped pecans, and sweet potatoes. After all, those are total fall-approved ingredients!

So I combined those with chicken, honeycrisp apple (another great fall staple), goat cheese, and a delicious balsamic vinaigrette to create the fall harvest salad to end all fall harvest salads.

It includes so much flavor in each and every bite and is the perfect combination of sweet and savory!

Ingredients in this autumn chicken salad recipe

For this dish we have four parts: the salad base (with the bed of kale and various toppings), the sweet potatoes, the chicken and seasonings, and the balsamic vinaigrette! Each portion of this recipe is easy to prepare.

Salad Base:

  • Kale
  • Honeycrisp apple
  • Goat cheese
  • Chopped pecans
  • Dried cranberries

Sweet Potatoes:

  • Sweet potato (diced into cubes or thin slices)
  • Avocado oil
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Chicken & Seasoning:

  • Chicken breasts
  • Paprika
  • Chili powder
  • Garlic powder
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Balsamic Vinaigrette:

  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Avocado oil (or olive oil)
  • Honey
  • Dijon mustard
  • Garlic
  • Salt
  • Pepper

What you’ll need to create a fall harvest salad

To prepare this recipe you’ll need a number of kitchen tools. Gather the following items and dive right in!

  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Large mixing bowl
  • 2 small mixing bowls
  • Stirring utensil
  • Measuring cups: 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, 1 cup

How to make homemade fall harvest salad

This fall harvest salad is as simple to make as any other. We’ll start by baking the sweet potato, as this is the most time consuming portion of the recipe. Then we’ll move onto seasoning and cooking the chicken, creating the vinaigrette, and assembling the dish on a fresh green bed of kale!

To begin, preheat the oven to 425F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Then, in a large mixing bowl, toss the sweet potato with the avocado oil, salt, and pepper. Bake for 20 minutes.

Mix the seasoning for the chicken, and then sprinkle it onto the the chicken breasts.

Next, take the sweet potatoes out of the oven, toss, and then add the chicken to the same (or separate) pan, and place everything back in the oven.

Bake for another 16-18 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F.

While baking, prepare the vinaigrette by mixing all of the dressing ingredients together.

Add vinaigrette to the kale and toss until fully coated. I massage the kale with my hands to make sure the leaves break down and everything is coated.

Then, layer on the sliced apples, cooked chicken, sweet potatoes, goat cheese, pecans, and cranberries.

Finally, toss to coat it all and enjoy!

Just in case you aren’t convinced…

I could come up with 1,005 reasons why must try this salad, but for the sake of time I’ll give you three:

  1. Pecans, cranberries, and goat cheese: Need I say more? The combination of these three ingredients is absolutely unbeatable. Make sure to grab these with your fork for each and every bite, and your taste buds will be happy.
  2. It’s simple: This recipe is very easy to whip together. It takes about an hour to prepare, but that’s only because the sweet potato and chicken like to take their sweet time in the oven. The prep itself is very quick!
  3. It’s über filling: Salads that leave you craving more are the worst! This salad, however, is very filling and satisfying because it covers the protein, carbs, and healthy fats.

How to store fall harvest salad

If you find yourself with leftovers, that’s a-okay! It just means tomorrow’s lunch will be extra exciting when you can whip out these leftovers to enjoy for a second time.

To store, keep the different ingredients separate if possible. You may want to assemble only what you’re guaranteed to eat so that this is possible. When stored separately, the kale won’t get so soggy!

However, if you want to store the salad in just one container that’s fine too. Securely seal the container, and enjoy within 1-2 days.

More filling and satisfying salads to try

Craving some more nutritious salads that will leave you feeling nice and full? I have a ton of options for you. Choose from a yummy cranberry quinoa salad, an avocado corn dish, and more!

  • Zucchini Noodle Caprese Salad with Walnut Pesto
  • Thai Noodle Salad with Walnut Butter
  • Cranberry Quinoa Salad
  • Pear Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette
  • Avocado Corn Salad

Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa

fall harvest salad
★★★★★ 5 from 39 reviews

Fall Harvest Salad

Embrace all of the autumn vibes with this tasty Fall Harvest Salad. Made with sweet potato, chicken breast, cranberries, and pecans, it’s a delicious meal sure to leave you full and satisfied for hours.

Prep: 45Total: 45 minutes
Yield 8 servings 1x
Print Pin it Rate

Ingredients

Salad

  • 4–6 cups shredded kale
  • 1 sliced large honeycrisp apple
  • 4oz goat cheese
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Balsamic Vinaigrette

  • 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup avocado oil (or olive)
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp dijon
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp salt 
  • 1/2 tsp pepper

Sweet Potatoes:

  • 1 large sweet potato, about 3 cups, diced into cubes or thin slices
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt 
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

Chicken:

  • 3 small breasts chicken
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions

  1. Start by preheating your oven to 425F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Toss together sweet potato with avocado oil, salt, and pepper. Bake for 20 minutes.
  3. Mix together seasoning for chicken, then sprinkle it on the breasts.
  4. After 20 minutes, take sweet potatoes out of the oven, toss, and then add the chicken to the same pan as the sweet potatoes. Bake both for another 16-18 minutes or until chicken reaches 165F.
  5. While baking, prepare vinaigrette  by mixing all ingredients together. 
  6. Add vinaigrette to kale and toss till full coated. Let sit at least 15 minutes. I use my hands to massage the kale and break down the leaves, the more you do this, the easier it is to eat.
  7. Layer on sliced apples, cooked chicken, sweet potatoes, goat cheese, pecans, and cranberries. 
  8. Toss to coat! Enjoy
Author: Erin MorrisseyCategory: dinner, lunch, salad, gluten-freeCuisine: AmericanDiet: Gluten Free
fall harvest salad

Did you make this?

Leave a comment below and tag @erinliveswhole on social media!

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There may be affiliate links in this post! By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat 🙂

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  • cranberry quinoa salad
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Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Grace says

    Posted on 12/5 at 12:00 am

    a crowd pleaser!! made this for friendsgiving and even the kale haters loved it! thank you 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/5 at 3:13 pm

      Hi Grace, so glad it was a hit!

      Reply
  2. Rachel Geosits says

    Posted on 12/4 at 12:02 pm

    I made this salad as a side dish to a Thanksgiving Lunch I hosted and it was a HIT. I decided to leave out the chicken in the recipe this time but I could eat this salad every single day!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/5 at 12:48 pm

      Hi Rachel, so glad everyone loved it! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Sonia says

    Posted on 11/15 at 6:17 pm

    The best fall salad! Was such a great addition for a Friendsgiving!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/16 at 4:18 pm

      Hi Sonia, so happy you loved it! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Adele says

    Posted on 10/24 at 6:23 pm

    Made a double batch for a work potluck and it was amazing! Dressed the kale the night before and kept all components separate until ready to eat! I did sub feta for goat cheese, and since it was a side I omitted the chicken but used the spice blend for the chicken on the sweet potatoes! Will definitely make again 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/24 at 6:47 pm

      Hi Adele, so so glad you loved it and made it your own!!

      Reply
  5. Shelby says

    Posted on 10/20 at 9:40 pm

    I’ve made this a couple times now and absolutely love it!! Makes me feel in such a fall mood with a great pairing of tastes and textures.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/21 at 6:26 pm

      Hi Shelby, so happy you love it so much!!

      Reply
  6. Sara says

    Posted on 3/20 at 10:54 am

    My go to dinner salad! I do my sweet potatoes in the air fryer so they’re nice and crispy and grill the chicken separately. Such a filling, delicious salad that works great for a crowd.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 3/21 at 1:53 pm

      Hi Sara, so happy you loved it!!

      Reply
  7. Jayne Roberts says

    Posted on 2/1 at 6:28 pm

    Such a great classic fall salad. The balsamic dressing has become my go-to, and I use it for everything now!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 2/2 at 8:41 pm

      Hi Jayne, so happy you loved it!!

      Reply
  8. Olivia says

    Posted on 1/28 at 6:12 pm

    my FAV salad recipe. Dressing is chefs kiss. erin never misses!!!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 1/28 at 8:13 pm

      Hi Olivia, so happy you loved it so much!!

      Reply
  9. Carly says

    Posted on 12/2 at 1:22 pm

    Our favorite salad ever!! Easy to make and sub what I have on hand, but perfect as the recipe is written!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/2 at 3:51 pm

      Hi Carly, so happy you loved it! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Casey Colodny says

    Posted on 11/30 at 10:29 am

    Made this salad for a family get together and it was a HIT! thinking ill try doing seared salmon or shrimp on it next time. so yummy!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/30 at 12:52 pm

      Hi Casey, so happy everyone loved the salad and great idea!! Good additions!

      Reply
  11. Hope says

    Posted on 11/18 at 1:51 pm

    I made this salad for a work thanksgiving lunch and everyone absolutely raves about it. It was so fresh and delicious with the perfect touch of fall.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/18 at 2:06 pm

      Hi Hope, so happy you loved it!!

      Reply
  12. Len says

    Posted on 11/18 at 9:46 am

    Made this salad last night and it was fantastic. I did sub the kale with mixed greens. Since the greens are more “delicate” I didn’t use as much dressing. I think the full amount of dressing would have overwhelmed mixed. Thank you for sharing your talents!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/18 at 2:05 pm

      Hi Len, I am so glad you liked it and made it your own!!

      Reply
  13. Christie says

    Posted on 11/17 at 5:14 pm

    This salad was SO good!!! We grilled the chicken instead but used the same seasonings she recommended, just mixed it into oil.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/18 at 2:01 pm

      Hi Christie, I am so glad you liked it and made it your own!!

      Reply
  14. Delaney says

    Posted on 11/11 at 8:06 pm

    Such a delicious salad! Everything pairs well together and it’s light while still really filling. Definitely will make again!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/12 at 12:39 pm

      Hi Delaney, so happy you loved it!!

      Reply
  15. Lex says

    Posted on 11/10 at 8:59 pm

    Best salad ever. Even makes kale taste good! The trick to massage the dressing in the kale and let sit for 15 minutes worked wonders.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/11 at 12:40 pm

      Hi Lex, so happy you loved it and glad that worked for you too!!

      Reply
  16. Erica says

    Posted on 11/10 at 12:18 pm

    This was so good! It had great fall flavors and was so filling. All the flavors complimented each other so well! I cooked the sweet potatoes and chicken ahead of time so it took no time to throw this salad together. I loved the chicken seasoning so much I am going to start using it for my meal prep!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/10 at 2:28 pm

      Hi Erica, I am so happy you liked the salad so much!!

      Reply
  17. Sammi says

    Posted on 11/8 at 12:14 pm

    Made this salad for lunches this week and it is not disappointing! The flavors go together perfectly and it tastes like an even better version of Sweetgreen’s fall harvest salad. Probably my favorite ELW recipe thus far!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/8 at 4:43 pm

      Hi Sammi, so happy you loved the salad so much!!

      Reply
  18. Emily says

    Posted on 11/1 at 6:43 pm

    So tasty! Most deinfitley a fall staple for any party.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/2 at 3:47 pm

      Hi Emily, I am so glad you enjoyed them!!

      Reply
  19. Amanda says

    Posted on 10/17 at 12:36 pm

    I live in Virginia, where it doesn’t quite feel like Fall yet, despite how badly I want to do all the fun Fall activities and eat all the Fall themed foods. This salad was a great Fall recipe that wasn’t hot like a casserole or soup would be. I loved it! I roasted the potatoes and chicken one evening and have been eating this salad for lunch and/or dinner for the past 3 days since. It will definitely become a Fall (if not every season) staple for me. Thanks Erin!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/18 at 6:00 pm

      Hi Amanda, come to Philly!! It is Fall here haha I am so happy you loved the salad, and yes- enjoy it year round! 🙂

      Reply
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I’m Erin. Creator of Erin Lives Whole, a food blog with delicious and easy healthy recipes that will leave you feeling good. We’ve got everything from wholesome baked goods to comforting savory dishes. I can’t wait to see what you whip up! Read More...

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