Ingredients

  • 2 large shallots, minced
  • 4 heaping tablespoons honey Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
  • 1/2 cup thawed frozen apple juice concentrate
  • 2/3 cup white wine vinegar
  • 1 cup pure olive oil
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons Asian chili paste (available in Asian markets and some well-stocked supermarkets)
  • 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 generous cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
  • Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Olive oil or vegetable spray
  • 1 pound (14 to 16 cups) mesclun, rinsed and spun-dry
  • 1 generous cup red seedless grapes
  • 2 large unpeeled, cored, and cubed ripe pears (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 1 large unpeeled Granny Smith apple, julienned (about 1 cup)
  • 12 ounces Gorgonzola cheese (preferably a high-quality creamy type, like dolcelatte dolce), chilled and cut into medium dice

Method

  • Marinate the chicken.
  • Use a whisk to combine the shallots, mustard, salt, juice concentrate, vinegar, olive oil, and black pepper in a nonreactive bowl.
  • Pour 1 cup of the prepared dressing into another nonreactive bowl and stir in the chili paste to create the marinade.
  • Chill the remaining dressing until needed.
  • (The dressing improves if assembled several hours before serving.)
  • Rinse and pat the chicken dry, and place in a nonreactive dish.
  • Season the chicken on both sides with black pepper and pour the marinade over the pieces, coating well on both sides.
  • Cover the dish and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
  • Prepare the salad.
  • Place a doubled sheet of paper towels on a plate and set aside.
  • Melt the butter in a 10- to 12-inch heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat and, when hot and bubbling, stir in the nuts.
  • Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant and light golden, about 2 minutes.
  • Pour the nuts onto the prepared plate and shimmy them to remove the excess butter.
  • Remove the paper, leaving the nuts on the plate, and sprinkle them lightly with salt.
  • Set the nuts aside.
  • Take the chicken out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before grilling.
  • Heat an outdoor gas grill on high or heat a charcoal grill to the gray ash stage.
  • Alternatively, heat a large stove-top grill-pan until very hot, with your overhead exhaust fan turned on.
  • When hot, oil the rack to your grill or your grill pan and, after letting the oiled surface heat for a minute or so, lay the marinated chicken pieces on the hot surface (discard the marinade).
  • Grill the chicken until golden on each side and the meat is cooked through but still succulent, 6 to 10 minutes.
  • Remove the chicken to a plate and let it rest for 5 minutes, tented loosely with aluminum foil.
  • Slice the chicken into diagonal strips and sprinkle the pieces lightly with salt.
  • Place the greens in a large mixing bowl and lightly coat with some of the reserved dressing.
  • Add the grapes, pears, apples, and half of both the cheese and the toasted nuts.
  • Toss the mixture gently but thoroughly, then divide the salad among individual serving plates and scatter the remaining cheese and nuts lightly over the top.
  • Arrange several slices of grilled chicken either on top or around the salad and serve immediately, with any additional dressing passed separately at the table.