This salad checks all of the packing containers for freshness, taste, and ease. Right here’s why you’re going to adore it!

• The perfect of summer time. With candy corn, cherry tomatoes, peaches, and crunchy cucumbers, this salad is a celebration of all the most effective flavors that summer time has to supply. 
• Simple to make. Combine up the dressing, marinate the hen, throw it on the grill, and all that’s left to do is prep the veggies and put all of it collectively! That is the perfect meal for summertime once you don’t need to spend so much of time within the kitchen.
• A salad you may make a meal out of. I developed this salad to be eaten as a major course, so whilst you can serve it as a facet or add different parts to your meal, you don’t should.

What You’ll Want

Right here’s a listing of elements you’ll have to recreate this summer time salad recipe at dwelling. Scroll all the way down to the recipe card to search out the ingredient portions and recipe directions.

Summer season Salad:

• Kale – I really like kale as the bottom for this salad as a result of when it’s massaged, it will get good and tender.
• Corn – Use contemporary, native corn—not canned or frozen! The flavour simply doesn’t evaluate.
• Peaches – Nectarines make a great different as a result of they’re actually the identical fruit, minus the fuzzy pores and skin.
• Cherry tomatoes – Or grape tomatoes, in the event you want.
• Purple onion – Shallots can be utilized for a milder taste.  
• Walnuts – Provides crunch, earthiness, and a few richness. Salads are all about contrasting textures so I really like including nuts!
• Cucumber – Refreshing and hydrating, which is precisely what you need in a summer time salad.
• Avocado – Creamy and wealthy avocado provides one other layer of texture.
• Boneless, skinless hen thighs – Or hen breasts, in the event you want them. Simply observe that they don’t want as lengthy on the grill.

Honey Mustard Dressing: 

• Dijon mustard and coarse mustard – Provides a tangy, sharp taste and texture to the dressing.
• Apple cider vinegar – Brings acidity and stability. It actually makes the candy flavors within the salad pop!
• Uncooked honey – For pure sweetness; maple syrup works as an alternative.  
• Dry thyme – Contributes earthy, natural notes.
• Garlic – I like utilizing contemporary garlic as a result of it’s punchier, however you’ll be able to swap in garlic powder for a milder taste.
• Salt & pepper – At all times important in a dressing!

Learn how to Make This Summer season Salad

Right here’s a fast overview of the steps concerned in making this recipe. 

• Make the dressing. Whisk all of the elements collectively in a bowl.
• Marinate the hen. Mix the hen thighs and 1/3 cup of the dressing in a bowl. Toss to coat and marinate for 20 minutes.
• Therapeutic massage the kale. Strip the kale from the stems and chop the leaves roughly. Add the leaves to a bowl and therapeutic massage till they darken and develop into tender. 

• Grill the hen. Grill the hen and corn over medium-high warmth, till the corn is charred and the hen reaches an inner temperature of 165°F. Let the hen relaxation earlier than slicing and minimize the kernels from the cob. 
• Assemble the salad. Add the corn, peaches, tomatoes, crimson onions, walnuts, diced cucumbers, and remaining dressing to the bowl with the kale. Toss to coat, then prime with the avocado and hen.

Suggestions and Variations

Listed here are some suggestions and variations to attempt with this summer time salad recipe.

• Grill the peaches too. For a smoky taste and additional sweetness, contemplate grilling the peaches together with the corn and hen. It will get caramelized and SO scrumptious on the grill.
• Make it nut-free. Swap out walnuts for sunflower seeds or pepitas in the event you want a distinct crunch or have a nut allergy.
• Add some cheese. Sprinkle feta, goat cheese, blue cheese, or grated Parmesan onto the salad, both along with or as a substitute of the avocado, for some further richness.
• Use one other inexperienced. If kale isn’t your favourite, you’ll be able to substitute it with spinach, arugula, romaine, or blended greens.

Learn how to Retailer Leftovers

Refrigerate leftover summer time salad in an hermetic container for as much as a day in the event you’ve added the dressing already, or as much as 3 days in the event you retailer the dressing individually. You possibly can reheat the hen in the event you’d like, however you don’t should.

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