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Strawberry, Goat Cheese, Avocado, Arugula Salad with Beer Brined Chicken and Limoncello Poppyseed Dressing

May 9, 2016 by rachelle 26 Comments

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I was given an opportunity to try The Produce Box free and all opinions are my own.  Strawberry, Goat Cheese, Avocado, Arugula Salad with Beer Brined Chicken and Limoncello Poppyseed Dressing 

 

Strawberry, Goat Cheese, Avocado Arugula Salad with Beer Brined Chicken and Limoncello Poppyseed Dressing

 

Did y’all have a wonderful weekend and Mother’s Day?  We certainly did, which is why I’m a little late to the party this week.  Speaking of parties, we are rolling out this week in style with a double boozy strawberry and goat cheese salad.  Now, I know a strawberry and goat cheese salad isn’t the most original idea on the planet and there are many delicious recipes out there.


 

Strawberry, Goat Cheese, Avocado Arugula Salad with Beer Brined Chicken and Limoncello Poppyseed Dressing

 

So I added my own boozy style and twist to an old classic.  I took some of NoDa Brewing Company’s CAVU Blonde Ale and brined a couple of chicken breasts.  I chose CAVU because it’s a delicious summery beer with tropical fruit and citrus notes that makes it the perfect complement to a chicken and strawberry salad with limoncello dressing.  Trust me.

Trivia tip: CAVU is a flight term that means Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited and one of the brewery owners is an experienced pilot.  How cool is that?!?!

 

Strawberry, Goat Cheese, Avocado Arugula Salad with Beer Brined Chicken and Limoncello Poppyseed Dressing

 

Next I grabbed a bottle of limoncello and whipped up a perfect dressing to finish off this salad. Again. Trust me.  I’m not exactly sure what in tarnation made me put limoncello in salad dressing, but the angels started singing.  Ok.  Maybe I hit the bottle and imagined the angels, but either way it’s a game changer.

 

Strawberry, Goat Cheese, Avocado Arugula Salad with Beer Brined Chicken and Limoncello Poppyseed Dressing

 

Of course, I’m always inspired by beer and all things boozy, but this time the salad inspiration came from some beautiful strawberries and everything else fell into place.  As a member of the Charlotte Food Bloggers, I was lucky enough to receive a free trial from the kind people at The Produce Box. The Produce Box is delivers fresh local produce and specialty items, such as meats, cheeses, and breads all over North Carolina.

Remember when I said I was up to my eyeballs in strawberries?!?!?!  I ordered some in my produce box then my garden exploded with strawberries!  I certainly had enough to share, but I was on a mission to keep the birds from making a habit of dining on my berries!  There were many shenanigans happening over here from pounding on the windows, to garden hoses, to running and hand waving.  Needless to say, expect a few more strawberry dishes.  I’ll also be sharing another recipe later this week from The Produce Box contents.

 

Strawberry, Goat Cheese, Avocado Arugula Salad with Beer Brined Chicken and Limoncello Poppyseed Dressing

 

I’ve got to go watch Dancing With the Stars now, so I hope y’all have a fantastic week!

 

Strawberry, Goat Cheese, Avocado Arugula Salad with Beer Brined Chicken and Limoncello Poppyseed Dressing
Print

Strawberry, Goat Cheese, Avocado, Arugula Salad with Beer Brined Chicken and Limoncello Poppyseed Dressing

Ingredients

  • 2 Chicken Breasts
  • 1 16 ounce can of beer - I used NoDa Brewing Company's CAVU Blonde Ale because it has fruit and citris notes to complement the chicken and the salad
  • 2 cups strawberries hulled and quartered
  • 1 avocado removed from shell, pitted, and sliced
  • 1/2-3/4 cup sliced almonds toasted
  • 4 ounces goat cheese crumbled
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • a few pinches salt
  • a few pinches pepper
  • a few pinches garlic powder
  • 6-8 cups arugula

For the Dressing

  • 1/2 small shallot diced
  • 4 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon poppyseeds
  • 3 tablespoons Limoncello
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3/4 cup olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Combine chicken and beer in a zipper bag or container with a lid, refrigerate for 45 minutes to 1 hour
  2. Meanwhile make the dressing by combining all ingredients to a mason jar, cover with the lid and shake vigorously, set aside
  3. Remove chicken from the beer brine and transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet
  4. Discard beer brine - sadly, you can't drink it now
  5. Sprinkle chicken with olive oil, salt and pepper
  6. Broil chicken for 6-8 minutes each side, or until the internal temperature is 160 in the thickest part
  7. While chicken is cooking, prepare the salad
  8. In one very large bowl or two big salad bowls, add arugula and top with strawberries, avocado, and goat cheese
  9. Top with chicken and almonds
  10. Serve with dressing


Full Disclosure:  NoDa Brewing Company did not sponsor this post.  I just really love them and their beer!

 

 

Strawberry, Goat Cheese, Avocado Arugula Salad with Beer Brined Chicken and Limoncello Poppyseed Dressing

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Filed Under: Entrees Tagged With: almond, avocado, beer, chicken, goat cheese, limoncello, limoncello poppyseed, noda, noda brewing, poppyseed, poppyseed dressing, salad, salad dressing, strawberry, strawberry goat cheese salad

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. mira

    May 9, 2016 at 9:33 pm

    This salad looks amazing! I made a similar one for lunch today, but this looks so much better! The Produce box sounds interesting!

    Reply
  2. Dawn @ Girl Heart Food

    May 10, 2016 at 7:25 am

    Oh my goodness…I haven’t watched Dancing with the Stars in so long, but I used to enjoy it! This salad looks delicious, Rachelle! Such a classic combo of strawberries and goat cheese (and for good reason. Avocado? Yes please. And that limoncello dressing sounds unreal! Who would have thought to put in a dressing? Well, you did! Bet it pairs so well with everything.

    Reply
  3. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    May 10, 2016 at 7:37 am

    Now this is my kind of salad! I love that you brined the chicken, Rachelle! So creative and perfect for summer! This is such a classic dish and I love the fun twist you gave!

    Reply
  4. Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop

    May 10, 2016 at 8:06 am

    This is one perfect salad! You’ve got something for everyone….and every taste. I love all these different ingredients brought together in a great big ‘ol salad and getting a little bit of everything in each bite.

    Reply
  5. David @ Spiced

    May 10, 2016 at 8:08 am

    Hahaha…I totally know all about the strawberry shenanigans! But water hoses. That’s a new one! I love the idea of marinating chicken in beer. What a fun way to add a summer flavor in there. We’re on a serious veggie kick this week, and these salads sound delicious. Great recipe, Rachelle!

    Reply
  6. Amanda

    May 10, 2016 at 10:41 am

    This is one big, bodacious salad. There is a lot of awesome going on in here. The goat cheese, the strawberries, the ale! Yum! And oh my gosh, that dressing. That dressing sounds flipping delicious!

    Reply
  7. Amanda

    May 10, 2016 at 11:55 am

    This recipes looks so delicious! I make a similar salad regularly with spinach, grilled chicken, goat cheese and sliced pears. I usually top it with a tangy home made apple cider honey mustard. I never thought brine the chicken in beer! My husband would love that! Thank you so much for sharing!

    Reply
  8. annie@ciaochowbambina

    May 10, 2016 at 2:36 pm

    That’s funny…I hear angels singing when I’m drinking our limoncello, too! Okay – this salad sounds so yum! And the pictures just pop with color, I can imagine how delicious this is!

    Reply
    • annie@ciaochowbambina

      May 10, 2016 at 2:37 pm

      Darn…forgot to ask – who do you want to win DWTS? 🙂

      Reply
      • rachelle

        May 10, 2016 at 2:55 pm

        Dang! Tough question, Annie! I can’t decide who I like more – Nyle, Paige, or Ginger!

        Reply
  9. karrie @ Tasty Ever After

    May 10, 2016 at 9:28 pm

    Girl, I don’t care how many chicken and strawberry salads there are out there, yours is the best! I literally just finished dinner and am stuffed but I would eat that whole bowl of salad if it was sitting in front of me right now. Perfect summer salad that I’m sure I’ll be making all the time 🙂

    Reply
  10. Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom

    May 11, 2016 at 12:38 am

    What a stunning looking salad! This has summer written all over it and I love that you used limoncello in your dressing… I always love when you can add a drinky, drinky to your food 😉

    Reply
  11. Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen

    May 11, 2016 at 5:06 am

    This salad looks absolutely amazing, Rachelle! This dressing sounds absolutely delicious. And love these vibrant pictures are awesome! 🙂

    Reply
  12. Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table

    May 11, 2016 at 2:15 pm

    A double boozy salad with the beer and the limoncello?! You are speaking my language lady! This is some fun spring time perfection right here 🙂 Yummed and pinned!

    Reply
  13. Kristen Chidsey

    May 11, 2016 at 3:52 pm

    A boozy salad? Sign me up!! LOVE it! My son just walked by and said, Mom make that–ha, ha, I will but not for him!

    Reply
  14. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen

    May 12, 2016 at 7:09 am

    Wow, what a totally gorgeous salad Rachelle! Love how you’ve jazzed it up with booze. A little booze never hurt anyone! The flavors, the colors! Love it!

    Reply
  15. Manali@CookWithManali

    May 14, 2016 at 1:00 pm

    love the sound of that dressing Rachelle!

    Reply
  16. Tanya@Myforkinglife.com

    May 17, 2016 at 9:31 am

    Boozy chicken, strawberries, and goat cheese sound like the perfect combo. Can’t wait to try this recipe!

    Reply
  17. Mir

    May 17, 2016 at 2:28 pm

    You need to be my mixologist, Rachelle. It’s too amazing what you do with liquor. I mean, limoncello?! That’s such a good idea!

    Reply
  18. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy

    May 18, 2016 at 5:32 am

    I had a salad like this in Greece and I couldn’t get enough of it. Well, I could, as it was HUGE! But I love the combo of strawberries and almonds.

    Reply
  19. Mary Frances

    May 20, 2016 at 3:26 pm

    This looks so healthy and so delicious!

    Reply
  20. Keri @ Fashionable Foods

    May 23, 2016 at 5:43 pm

    This salad looks fantastic! Poppyseed dressing is my favorite and your addition of limoncello sounds AMAZING!

    Reply
  21. smitha

    May 24, 2016 at 12:44 am

    Rachelle, Salad looks awesome. Strawberry and goat cheese itself is an amazing combo. Chicken brewed up makes it my favorite. Save me a bowl full and leave me alone in a couch. Heavenly

    Reply
  22. Sarah

    May 24, 2016 at 12:09 pm

    This salad is everything I’m craving right now. Great job!

    Reply
  23. Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog

    June 3, 2016 at 10:18 am

    This has got to be one of the best sounding salads ever! I was legit just on the hunt for a good summery salad to make this weekend, and bingo, found it!

    Reply

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I’m Rachelle, an attorney by day with a passion for home brewing and cooking with craft beer.

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