You know that feeling when you get a new dress (especially if it was on sale) and you just want to tell EVERYONE about it?? You might laugh, but I actually feel this way about recipes.
When I stumble on a deliciously seasonal recipe, or a great product I want to shout it from the roof tops, and that’s exactly what I have in-store for you for today’s blog post.
In the summer months we eat a lot of chicken, and we eat a lot of salads, but with summer in full bloom and berries a plenty here in Nova Scotia I thought it would be fun to shake things up a bit and try something new. I LOVE blueberries, when I was a little girl growing up on Cape Breton we would pick berries wild from our backyard, how amazing is that?? I’m pretty sure we’d fill our bellies with more berries than our buckets haha, but whatever we managed to get home my mom would use to make us cakes, and yummy muffins! In addition to picking berries, my mom would always support our local farms too!
I love to support local whenever I can, so you can imagine my excitement to find local Atlantic Canadian chicken available in my favorite grocery store!
When I’m shopping at grocery store I’m definitely a label reader, so in the event that you’re not, or you just don’t have time to think about it (we’re all busy I get it) I’m super happy to introduce you to the lovely folks at Maple Lodge Farms (#sponsored).
ABOUT MAPLE LODGE FARMS
Maple Lodge Farms Fresh From the Farm Chickens are grain fed, always fresh, and from a family run company!
Maple Lodge Farms, built and rooted in family values, cares as much about what you feed your family as you do. Fresh From The Farm chicken is a product you can feel good about serving your family.
What I loved learning about Maple Lodge Farms, is that all their Fresh From the Farm products are raised locally right here in Atlantic Canada! The packing on the chicken I used to create this recipe even told me which farm the chicken came from! Eden Valley Poultry Farm in Berwick Nova Scotia. It makes me so happy to see our local farmers showcased on products like this!!
SHOPPING GUIDE
There are plenty of options to suit you and your families needs! While I used the chicken thighs for my recipe there were a bunch of options in the store from chicken breasts, wings, cutlets, drumsticks to fillets, and everything in between. You could use thighs, or chicken breasts for this recipe: the best part it’s totally up to you.
Wondering where you can find Maple Lodge Farm products??
If you’re based in Atlantic Canada you can find Maple Lodge Farms Fresh From The Farm products at the Atlantic Superstore, Your Independent Grocer, and Dominion. And for my Ontario readers you can grab these products at Loblaws, Your Independent Grocer, Real Canadian Superstore, Zehrs, Valu-Mart, Food Basics!
For more information on where to purchase visit: Maplelodgefarms.com
RECIPE VIDEO
Today’s recipe includes some local chicken from Maple Lodge Farms #sponsored, and some other perfectly in-season ingredients to take your summer salad up a notch. Did I mention it’s super easy, and super yummy too?? Make a bunch at once so you can serve a crowd, the whole family, OR just meal prep for the week ahead.
BLUEBERRY BALSAMIC CHICKEN
& GOAT CHEESE SALAD RECIPE
INGREDIENTS:
CHICKEN
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1 Tsp. salt
2 Cups Blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 Cup balsamic vinegar
1/3 Cup maple syrup
1 Tbsp. coarsely chopped rosemary
4-6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (I used the Maple Lodge Chicken Thighs)
2 shallots, thinly sliced (approximately 1/4 cup).
SALAD
Goat Cheese
Greens of choice (I used spinach)
Left over blueberries, and strawberries
Handful of walnuts / craisins
SALAD DRESSING
simply splash with olive oil and balsamic vinegar (you can add them together in a mason jar with salt and pepper).
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat 1 tablespoon each oil and butter in a large, heavy, nonreactive skillet.
Season chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and add to the pan when the oil and butter are hot and bubbly.
Sear chicken breasts over medium-high heat until golden brown (about 1 min per side/ until a light crust forms). Remove to a baking dish and set aside (or if using a dutch oven just place on a plate until you finish the blueberry mixture).
Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and butter to the skillet (or dutch oven) and, when hot, add in shallots and cook until soft and lightly caramelized (about 4 mins).
Add blueberries (cook 1 min).
Stir in vinegar, maple syrup, rosemary, salt and pepper (simmer about 10 mins or until the blueberries have collapsed).
Pour the blueberry balsamic mixture over chicken (or add chicken back to your dutch oven and cover chicken)
Put baking dish on the top rack of the oven (cook about 30 minutes, until the chicken has cooked to temperature).
Serve over or with your salad for an amazing twist on your favorite salad! Feel free to have fun with it. I used the ingredients above because I love the combination of goat cheese and balsamic vinegar.
Top with extra berries, and splash of balsamic vinegar + olive oil.
1 Comment
[…] In Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, the end of August is the berry best time to pick up some deliciously ripe berries. Local Atlantic and Cape Breton native, Short Presents, says this local tradition inspired her Blueberry Balsamic Chicken and Goat Cheese Salad. […]