Coogirl Candy Grilled Peach Chicken Salad with Honey-Lime Drizzle

Coogirl Candy Grilled Peach Chicken Salad with Honey-Lime Drizzle

A bright, summertime salad that pairs smoky grilled chicken and caramelized peaches with the sweet-spicy pop of Coogirl Candy. This dish balances char, sweet syrupy jalapeños, crisp greens and a tangy honey-lime dressing for a lunch or light dinner that looks as good as it tastes.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 ripe but firm peaches, halved and pitted
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 4 cups mixed baby greens (arugula, baby spinach, butter lettuce)
• 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco or feta
• 1/3 cup toasted pecans or chopped almonds
• 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 avocado, sliced (optional)

Honey-Lime Drizzle with Coogirl Candy

• 2 tablespoons Coogirl Candy (see link below)
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• Pinch of salt and pinch of black pepper

Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken: Pat chicken breasts dry. Rub with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season both sides with kosher salt and black pepper. Let sit 10 minutes at room temperature while you heat the grill or grill pan.
2. Prep the peaches: Brush cut sides of the peach halves with melted butter. This helps them caramelize and adds richness to the salad.
3. Heat the grill: Preheat an outdoor grill or stovetop grill pan to medium-high heat. Oil the grates or pan lightly to prevent sticking.
4. Grill chicken and peaches: Place chicken on the hot grill and cook 5 to 6 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). At the same time, place peaches cut-side down and grill 3 to 4 minutes until char marks appear and the flesh is tender but still holds shape. Transfer chicken to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes; slice crosswise into strips. Quarter the grilled peach halves.
5. Make the honey-lime drizzle with Coogirl Candy: In a small bowl whisk together 2 tablespoons Coogirl Candy, 2 tablespoons olive oil, honey, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper until emulsified. Taste and adjust: add a little more Coogirl Candy for heat or a squeeze more lime for acidity. The syrupy jalapeños will add both texture and lovely sweet heat to the dressing.
6. Build the salad: On a large platter or individually, arrange the mixed greens. Scatter sliced grilled chicken, grilled peach quarters, crumbled queso fresco, toasted pecans, red onion slices and avocado if using.
7. Finish and serve: Drizzle the honey-lime Coogirl Candy dressing over the salad. For a creative garnish, spoon a few whole jalapeño pieces from the jar of Coogirl Candy over the chicken and peaches so each bite gets a burst of sweet heat. Serve immediately.

Notes

• If you do not have a grill, you can sear the chicken and peaches in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until charred and cooked through.
• To make this vegetarian, substitute grilled halloumi or marinated tofu for the chicken.
• Recipe scales easily for a family meal or for entertaining. Keep extra Coogirl Candy on the table for guests who want more heat.

Product used: Coogirl Candy