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    Home » Entrees » Poultry Recipes

    Wild Rice Salad with Chicken, Dried Cherries & Goat Cheese

    Published: Mar 5, 2015 · Modified: May 31, 2019 by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 19 Comments

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    Take on the wild side (rice, that is) and whip up this healthy chicken and kale salad for dinner. Dried cherries and goat cheese add the perfect amount of sweet and tangy. Thank you to the Cherry Marketing Institute for helping me to share this recipe with you.
    Wild Rice Salad with Chicken, Dried Cherries and Goat Cheese...Bust out the flavor with this easy dinner! 259 calories and 7 Weight Watchers PP | cookincanuck.com

    Whenever I make a dinner that leaves us with leftovers, I earn some serious points with my husband, Steve. Every night, Steve goes through an elaborate process of making his breakfast, lunch and snack to take with him to work the next day. He runs a lot; therefore, he eats…a lot! Seriously, if you saw how much this man ate, you’d think he was feeding a small town. And he is nothing but lean muscle. Annoying. Anyways…when he can just scoop some leftovers into a container when making his work day meal, he’s a happy husband.

    Wild Rice Salad with Chicken, Dried Cherries and Goat Cheese...Bust out the flavor with this easy dinner! 259 calories and 7 Weight Watchers PP | cookincanuck.com

    One of the ways that I like to pump up the flavor of simple rice dishes is by adding some creamy cheese and tart cherries. The flavors and textures of those two ingredients complement each other so well, and the easy rosemary vinaigrette adds a fresh herbal flavor.

    Wild Rice Salad with Chicken, Dried Cherries and Goat Cheese...Bust out the flavor with this easy dinner! 259 calories and 7 Weight Watchers PP | cookincanuck.com

    Along with the scoop of tart cherries on his cereal and two daily glasses of tart cherry juice, Steve gets a quadruple dose of the powerhouse fruit each day. Quite honestly, we’re both a bit smitten with the sweet-tart flavor and find ourselves toting around a bag of tart cherries mixed with raw almonds whenever we head out to run errands.

    If you spotted my Baked Steel Cut Oatmeal with Tart Cherries & Pepitas and Curry Spiced Nuts with Dried Cherries, you already know that dried cherries pack a lot of health benefits. One of the lesser known benefits is that tart cherries are a natural source of melatonin, which is linked to better sleep efficiency. They have been shown to increase both the quality and duration of sleep, which is so important for overall health.

    Wild Rice Salad with Chicken, Dried Cherries and Goat Cheese...Bust out the flavor with this easy dinner! 259 calories and 7 Weight Watchers PP | cookincanuck.com

    A number of whole grains would work well in this recipe, from brown rice to farro or barley. I used a wild rice blend that I found at the supermarket, which contained wild rice, brown rice, wehani rice and black japonica rice. Use whatever blend appeals to you, but be sure to follow the package directions, as cooking time will likely vary.

    For more information on tart cherries and recipe inspiration, be sure to visit the Cherry Marketing Institute site, and follow Choose Cherries on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

    Other tart cherry recipes:

    Healthy Tart Cherry Recipes | cookincanuck.com
    Cookin' Canuck's Curry Spiced Nuts with Dried Cherries
    Cookin' Canuck's Baked Steel Cut Oatmeal with Tart Cherries & Pepitas
    Running to the Kitchen's Cherry Power Cookies
    Love & Zest's Chocolate Cherry & Chia Bark
    The Inventive Vegetarian's Apple Walnut Salad

    Wild Rice Salad with Chicken, Dried Cherries & Goat Cheese

    This tasty salad has a fantastic combination of sweet and savory flavors, and is easy to throw together on a weeknight.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Entrees
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Gluten Free
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour
    Servings: 6 Servings
    Calories: 263kcal
    Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

    Ingredients

    The Salad:

    • 1 cup wild rice blend
    • water follow package instructions
    • 6 ounces cooked skinless chicken breasts shredded
    • 2 cups chopped kale stems removed
    • ½ cup dried tart cherries
    • 2 ounces soft goat cheese crumbled

    The Dressing:

    • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon crushed dried rosemary
    • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    The Salad:

    • Cook the wild rice blend according to package directions. Fluff with a fork. Transfer the rice to a large bowl to cool.
    • Add the chicken, kale, dried cherries and goat cherries, and stir gently to combine.
    • Pour in the dressing and toss to coat. Serve.

    The Dressing:

    • In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder and rosemary.
    • While whisking, slowly pour in the olive oil. Whisk until combined.

    Notes

    Weight Watchers Points: 7 (Points+), 6 (Old Points)

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Cup | Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 91mg | Potassium: 334mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 2695IU | Vitamin C: 27.1mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 1.4mg
    Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

    Disclosure: I am honored to be a brand ambassador for the Cherry Marketing Institute. All opinions are my own. This post contains links to my Amazon affiliate page. Any revenue made from sales through these links helps to support this blog. Thank you!

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Kim Beaulieu

        March 08, 2015 at 10:53 pm

        I love dried cherries so this is right up my alley. Love this combination so much. The cheese just takes it right over the top for me. No wonder you hubby loves your leftovers meals so much, mine would go crazy for this.

        I remember when I used to run all the time. I could eat all the livelong day. Man, I miss that. Lol.

        Reply
      2. Gina

        March 08, 2015 at 8:43 am

        Loving the goat cheese and chicken with the tart cherries, great flavor combination!

        Reply
      3. Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet

        March 06, 2015 at 6:37 pm

        I've started to take my lunch to work and this is perfect! So many wonderful foods in bowl!

        Reply
      4. Susan

        March 06, 2015 at 3:50 pm

        I just love this dish! I'm all about roasting up a chicken just so I have it for leftovers throughout the week. This looks like one of those dinners than makes an awesome lunch the next day.

        Reply
      5. Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel

        March 06, 2015 at 12:50 pm

        in love with the ingredients you put in this. you get a balance of so many different flavours and textures!

        Reply
      6. Martha @ A Family Feast

        March 06, 2015 at 9:36 am

        I adore recipes like this - filling and healthy as well as an all-in-one meal! Love the flavors you've pulled together too!

        Reply
      7. Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness

        March 06, 2015 at 5:49 am

        I think that chicken, cherries and goat cheese may be one of my favorite combos EVER! And, a hubby who could rice for ALWAYS, I think this needs to be on my menu tonight! Perfect with the bottle of wine chilling 😉 Pinned!

        Reply
      8. Brenda@Sugar-Free Mom

        March 06, 2015 at 5:02 am

        Dara, I am in love with this dish! I love the combination of flavors. The soft goat cheese, the tart cherries , a healthy protein and my favorite green, kale!! I could eat this all week and never tire of it! Way to go!

        Reply
      9. Anita

        March 06, 2015 at 12:47 am

        So pretty and healthy. You're right, I would totally eat the leftovers for lunch the next day - I love all the ingredients!

        Reply
      10. Pink guava

        March 05, 2015 at 7:25 pm

        This will be a lovely dish warm or cold and will definitely make an appearance on our table now but also for Summer picnics. Dried cherries and soft goat cheese are such a tasty combination and brighten up a dish.

        Reply
      11. Liz @ The Lemon Bowl

        March 05, 2015 at 2:59 pm

        My husband is also obsessed with dried cherries and cherry juice. He can't get enough of either. Tell your husband he can pack my lunch any day!

        Reply
      12. Stephanie @ Back for Seconds

        March 05, 2015 at 2:18 pm

        I just love all of the flavors and textures here. Sounds delightful!

        Reply
      13. Karen

        March 05, 2015 at 1:20 pm

        Thanks for reinventing one of my family's favorite winter casseroles (all the good flavors, but minus the heavy cream and cheese!) Your recipe has been printed and clipped for later in the week (tonight it's soup.)
        Great website!

        Reply
      14. Gwen @SimplyHealthyFamily

        March 05, 2015 at 1:17 pm

        This is my idea of a perfect weeknight dinner, and left over lunch 😉

        Reply
      15. Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes

        March 05, 2015 at 12:14 pm

        This looks great - love the addition of the tart cherries! My hubby loves leftovers, too 🙂

        Reply
      16. Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch

        March 05, 2015 at 11:13 am

        I am so hungry for this dish, Dara! I love the combination of flavorful, hearty, healthy ingredients! I bet the dried cherries just makes this! Mmmm!
        Robyn xo

        Reply
      17. Peabody (Culinary Concoctions by Peabody)

        March 05, 2015 at 10:14 am

        Oh I love this. I'm all about tart cherries and goat cheese and this looks amazing.

        Reply
      18. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom

        March 05, 2015 at 9:25 am

        Dara, I love everything about this dish!! especially the versatility! it's so funny, I love leftovers but my husband hates them! He can be so picky sometimes. . but too bad he doesn't get to decide since I do all the cooking! 😛 love this!!!

        Reply
      19. Sharana @ living the sweet life

        March 05, 2015 at 7:27 am

        Looks sooooo good!! Mmmm and healthy <3 love it.

        Reply

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