Pear & Blue Cheese Salad with Dried Cranberries

I’ve had a lot of salads in my day, but this Pear and Blue Cheese Salad with Dried Cranberries stands out from the crowd. For one thing, it’s not just a starter—it’s the whole show. First, you’ve got juicy pears, tangy blue cheese, and sweet cranberries creating a flavor-packed trio. Then comes the crunch, the soft greens, and the rotisserie chicken to seal the deal. In other words, it’s not just lunch—it’s a craveable main. Want to mix it up? Swap in grilled steak and cue the music—this salad’s got range.

That’s because I like my salads with a little personality—something that wakes up my appetite and keeps things interesting. It doesn’t have to be over the top, just bold enough to keep my taste buds dancing and make me want another bite.

If you caught my post about the Rotisserie Chicken & Berry Power Salad with Goat Cheese, then you already know I’m a big fan of fresh, juicy fruit in a salad. Sure, fruit in greens isn’t for everyone. However, I’m definitely not one of those people.

These days, we eat salad almost every day for lunch. Since we both work from home, I usually wander into the kitchen around noon and take a quick inventory of what we’ve got. That’s when I spotted a lone pear in the fruit bowl—and just like that, I knew exactly what direction I was going. From there, it was all about picking the right partners to tango with it.

First up: a little protein to keep the beat. That part is always the easiest—I’m a rotisserie chicken on repeat kind of gal. It’s fast, flavorful, and super versatile.

Next came the cheese. Now, I’ve never met a cheese I didn’t like, so the question becomes: which one? Goat, feta, parmesan… they’ve all had their turn. But for this combo? Blue cheese was the move. It brings that unmistakable punch—creamy, tangy, and just bold enough to keep things interesting. When paired with sweet pear, it’s a slam dunk.

After that, I needed something with a little zing. A touch of brightness to liven things up. As I scanned the pantry, I zeroed in on a bag of dried cranberries. Jackpot. Those chewy little bursts of tart-sweet goodness are like edible jewels—bright, balanced, and beautiful. I knew they’d bring the color and pop this mix needed.

Then, of course, came the greens. Red and green butter lettuce to the rescue—soft, delicate, and just structured enough to carry all that goodness without stealing the show. The moment I tossed it all together, I knew we had a winner.

Even though it’s simple, that’s exactly where the magic lies. This Pear and Blue Cheese Salad with Dried Cranberries is light but layered, with a thoughtful balance of textures and flavors. As a result, it feels both elegant and satisfying. Honestly, it’s one of those salads you actually look forward to eating. Once we plated it up and dug in, we gave it a perfect 10. No surprise there—it hit all the right notes.