Autumn Harvest Salad

Indulge in the vibrant flavors of the season with this Autumn Harvest Salad. A mix of peppery arugula and sweet butter lettuce provides the perfect base for tender roasted delicata squash, sweet Honeycrisp apples, toasted pecans, and creamy blue cheese. This fall salad is finished with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Enjoy as a side dish paired with your favorite main course or top with crispy sliced chicken for a hearty dinner salad!

Jump to:

• Ingredients for the Perfect Autumn Harvest Salad
• Step-by-Step Instructions for Creating Your Autumn Harvest Salad
• Serving Suggestions: How to Enjoy this Autumn Harvest Salad
• Customizing Your Autumn Harvest Salad
• Essential Tools for Making an Autumn Harvest Salad
• Explore More Savory Seasonal Favorites
• Autumn Harvest Salad

Ingredients for the Perfect Autumn Harvest Salad

• Arugula and Butter Lettuce: The combination of arugula's peppery kick and the mild, buttery qualities of butter lettuce provides the perfect base for this salad, offering a harmonious contrast in flavors and textures. If you prefer to simplify this dish, you can omit the butter lettuce in favor of a double portion of arugula.
• Delicata Squash: The tender and sweet roasted delicata squash brings an unmistakable taste of fall to the dish. Its caramelized richness complements the other ingredients beautifully.
• Honeycrisp Apples: Honeycrisp apples contribute a refreshing sweetness and satisfying crunch, adding a burst of natural sweetness and vibrant color.
• Pecans: Toasted pecans not only provide a delightful crunch but also infuse a warm, nutty flavor to this fall salad.
• Blue Cheese: Creamy blue cheese introduces a bold and tangy element to this salad, adding depth and richness.
• Chicken Tenders: Crispy sliced chicken tenders are a hearty addition, transforming the salad into a substantial and satisfying meal. They can be used to top the salad, making it a hearty dinner option. If you prefer, you can use roasted chicken or even rotisserie chicken for an easy alternative, or swap for another protein of your choice.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Drizzle balsamic vinegar over the salad for a perfect blend of acidity and richness, which ties the flavors together and provides the ideal finishing touch.
• Olive Oil: Olive oil plays a dual role in this salad, used for roasting the delicata squash to perfection and dressing the lettuce, adding a layer of richness and flavor.
• Dried Dill: Elevates the delicata squash with a delightful herbal seasoning.
• Cracked Black Pepper: Cracked black pepper adds a delightful touch of warmth and zest to the salad, enhancing the overall flavor profile. I use it to season the delicata squash and love to finish the salad with an extra crack of pepper or two.
• Kosher Salt: Perfectly seasons the delicata squash for a well-balanced and flavorful salad.
• Flaky Sea Salt (Optional): I love to finish this fall salad with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to finish.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Creating Your Autumn Harvest Salad

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Tenders (Optional)

If you are including chicken tenders in your salad, bake them according to the package directions.

Step 2: Prepare the Delicata Squash and Roast the Pecans

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 Celcius) -- This is usually the same temperature you'll bake the chicken at if you want to roast it on another pan at the same time.
2. Slice both ends off of the delicata squash and discard them. Then, slice the remaining squash in half lengthwise. The easiest way to do this is to stand it on one stable end and carefully slice it in half from top to bottom. Using a spoon, scrape out the seeds and discard them. Slice the remaining squash flesh into equal half-moons, about ¼ inch wide.
3. Transfer the squash to the reserved baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil over the squash and then toss it by hand to ensure even coating. Once oiled, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and dried dill.
4. Transfer the squash to the oven to roast for 20-25 minutes or until tender and slightly golden brown on both sides. During the final 4 minutes of roasting the squash, it's an ideal opportunity to roast the pecans. Simply scoot the squash to one side of the baking sheet to make space for the pecans. Return the baking sheet to the oven for 4 minutes. Since pecans can quickly become over-roasted, this brief period is typically sufficient. If you find that the squash needs a bit more time, wait to add the pecans separately to prevent burning.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

You can choose to serve this autumn salad family-style in one large bowl or create individual salads for a more even distribution of ingredients. Personally, I prefer the latter approach, as it allows each person to customize their salad with oil and vinegar to their liking.

1. Portion butter lettuce and arugula into 4 bowls. Top with roasted delicata squash, pecans, sliced apples, blue cheese, and chicken (if using).
2. Drizzle balsamic vinegar and a bit of olive oil over the ingredients. I like to finish the salad with an optional crack of black pepper and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt before serving.

Serving Suggestions: How to Enjoy this Autumn Harvest Salad

This Autumn Harvest Salad offers versatile serving options to suit your preferences. When topped with crispy sliced chicken tenders, it transforms into a hearty dinner salad, perfect for a satisfying meal. Alternatively, it pairs splendidly with your choice of main protein, whether it's succulent roast chicken, savory pork, tender steak, or flaky fish.

If you would like to lighten this salad so that it acts as a side dish or salad course for other meals, simply omit the chicken and pair with your favorite main course. Here are some delicious main course recipes that this fall salad pairs beautifully with:

• Sole Meuniere
• Braised Leg of Lamb
• Savory Pumpkin Pasties
• French Onion Soup Mac & Cheese
• Chicken Thighs in Orange Dijon Herb Sauce
• Pasta with Ricotta Beet Sauce
• Gorgonzola Pasta with Brown Butter and Lemon
• Pear and Blue Cheese Pizza

Customizing Your Autumn Harvest Salad

One of the beauties of this seasonal salad recipe is its adaptability. You can easily customize it to match your preferences and dietary needs. Here are some ways to make this salad truly your own:

• Adjust the Greens: While this recipe uses a combination of arugula and butter lettuce, feel free to simplify by omitting the butter lettuce in favor of a double portion of arugula, or include some of your favorite salad greens such as spinach or kale.
• Protein Choices: Explore a variety of protein options beyond chicken tenders. Try serving this autumn salad with roast pork tenderloin, steak or beef roast, or flavorful roasted fish—salmon is an excellent option.
• Nuts and Seeds: Pecans are delightful, but you can experiment with other nuts like walnuts, almonds, or even seeds like pumpkin or sunflower.
• Cheese Selection: If blue cheese isn't your preference, consider crumbled feta, goat cheese, or shaved Parmesan.
• Dressing Variations: Play with different vinaigrettes like this Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette or this Maple Dijon Vinaigrette.
• Fruit and Veggie Swaps: This salad is lovely with sliced pears, pomegranate seeds, beets, and other varieties of winter squash such as acorn, honey nut, or butternut.

Essential Tools for Making an Autumn Harvest Salad

• Kitchen scale (or measuring cups for less precise measurements)
• Measuring spoons
• 2 baking sheets lined with parchment paper
• A cutting board
• A chef’s knife
• A spoon (for scooping seeds out of the squash)
• A wooden spoon or spatula

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Explore More Savory Seasonal Favorites

Love this Autumn Harvest Salad? Here are some more delightful seasonal recipes to savor:

• Radicchio Salad with Green Olives, Blue Cheese, and Candied Walnuts
• Kale Salad with Roasted Beets and Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette
• Roasted Delicata Squash and Beets with Horseradish Cream and Candied Walnuts
• Pasta with Butternut Squash Sauce and Chorizo
• Roasted Root Vegetables with Cider Vinaigrette
• Farro Salad with Butternut Squash, Kale, and Feta
• Wild Rice Salad with Sweet Potatoes, Kale, and Balsamic Mushrooms
• Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas with Chipotle Pumpkin Sauce
• Pumpkin Pizza with Gruyere and Crispy Sage
• Chili with Butternut Squash

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