Harvest Fall Salad with Caramelized Shallot Dressing
A hearty, nutritious autumn salad featuring nutty wild rice, roasted sweet potatoes, and shaved Brussels sprouts. Topped with protein-rich shredded chicken, crunchy pecans, and vibrant pomegranate arils, this dish is tied together with a sophisticated, jammy caramelized shallot dressing. It is a perfect, family-friendly meal that balances rustic comfort with professional-level flavor, making it ideal for cozy weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 50
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
1 cup dry wild rice blend
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
12 oz. Brussels sprouts, shaved
4 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 tsp. kosher salt, divided
1/2 tsp. black pepper, divided
2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup pomegranate arils
1/2 cup thinly sliced shallots
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup sherry vinegar
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp. honey
1 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cook wild rice blend in boiling salted water according to package directions; drain and set aside.
Toss cubed sweet potatoes and shaved Brussels sprouts with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; roast on a baking sheet for 20-25 minutes until tender and caramelized.
While vegetables roast, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a small skillet over medium-low heat; add sliced shallots and cook slowly until golden and jammy, about 8-10 minutes.
Whisk together remaining olive oil, sherry vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, rosemary, minced garlic, and the cooked shallots until emulsified; season with remaining salt and pepper.
In a large bowl, combine cooked rice, roasted vegetables, and shredded chicken.
Drizzle with the shallot dressing and toss gently to coat.
Top with pecans and pomegranate arils before serving.
Notes
Store the dressing separately from the salad if prepping in advance to keep greens crisp. You can substitute apple cider vinegar if sherry vinegar is unavailable.