Fresh and Fruity Spring Mix Salad with Grilled Chicken Thighs

Name: Fresh and Fruity Spring Mix Salad with Grilled Chicken Thighs | Taylor Farms
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 Taylor Farms Spring Mix; 2 Persian cucumbers, sliced; 1 cup of blueberries; 1 can of mandarin oranges; Salt and pepper; 4 boneless, skin-on chicken thighs; ¼ cup honey; ⅓ cup grainy mustard; 2 Tbsp olive oil; Salt & pepper; ½ cup olive oil; ⅓ cup red wine vinegar; 1 Tbsp fresh chopped parsley; 1 shallot, minced; Salt and pepper

Why do sweet fruit, a touch of acidity, and tender grilled chicken go so well together? We’re not here to solve such culinary mysteries, but we are here to offer you this exceptional recipe that draws from all ends of the flavor spectrum to deliver a spectacular dish, Taylor-made for grilling season.

And while the grilled and basted chicken may be the star here, we’d like to thank the Taylor Farms Spring Mix for helping it all come together. Feel free to clap — but maybe wait until it’s ready to serve so you don’t drop anything.

Ingredients

1 Taylor Farms Spring Mix
2 Persian cucumbers, sliced
1 cup of blueberries
1 can of mandarin oranges
Salt and pepper

Chicken:

4 boneless, skin-on chicken thighs
¼ cup honey
⅓ cup grainy mustard
2 Tbsp olive oil
Salt & pepper

Dressing:

½ cup olive oil
⅓ cup red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp fresh chopped parsley
1 shallot, minced
Salt and pepper

Directions

In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, mustard, olive oil, and a generous helping of salt and pepper Add the chicken and toss to combine. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 12 hours.
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, and shallot until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper.
Preheat the grill to medium-high and clean and grease the grates with canola oil. Add chicken skin-side down and grill, flipping often and basting with sauce, until cooked through, 10 minutes per side. Let rest, then slice into strips.
In a large bowl, add Taylor Farms Spring Mix, cucumbers, blueberries, mandarin oranges, and dressing. Toss until well-mixed.
Divide between four plates. Add sliced chicken thigh to each plate. Season with salt and pepper. Enjoy!

Mandarin 101 (the fruit, not the language)

In addition to plump blueberries and sliced Persian cucumbers, this recipe calls for mandarin oranges—an underappreciated yet mighty citrus fruit. These oranges are small, sweet, and (typically) seedless citrus fruits that originated in Southeast Asia. Renowned for their easy-to-peel skin and tangy-sweet flavor, they are smaller and a bit flatter than common oranges. And maybe a little more fun.

While their smaller size and convenient easy-to-peel skin make them ideal for snacking, mandarins are also incredibly versatile in the kitchen. You can use fresh mandarins to add bursts of citrusy sweetness to dishes like salads, salsas, and desserts. Mandarin orange juice and zest can provide a unique flavor to marinades, vinaigrettes, and glazes, enhancing the tastes of everything from savory roasts to grilled seafood. In some Asian cuisines, they are used in stir-fries and sauces, adding a subtle sweetness and citrus aroma that contrasts well with spicy and umami flavors (Mandarin orange chicken over rice? Yes, please.)

On the sweeter side of things, mandarin segments are great for adding a fresh decorative touch to cakes or tossing into colorful fruit salads or use their zest to add brightness to baked goods like cookies, scones, and muffins. You can also squeeze a mandarin into refreshing cocktails or soothing hot teas. And they can be a key ingredient in marmalades and jams. Need an easy dessert? Try dipping mandarins in heated chocolate and letting them cool on wax paper before serving—quaint and delish!

You get the idea. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a home cook, the vibrant color, sweetly tart taste, and delightful aroma of mandarins can elevate your culinary creations, giving them a sunny and exotic splash, any time of year.