This Chicken Spinach Salad is a vibrant blend of tender, seasoned chicken breast, crisp fresh spinach, sweet strawberries, juicy oranges, tart blueberries, crunchy toasted almonds, and a sprinkle of creamy feta cheese. It’s perfectly complemented by a simple, homemade four-ingredient balsamic vinaigrette, making it an ideal choice for a fresh, light, and nutritious meal.

Chicken Spinach Salad: A Fresh, Healthy, and Irresistible Meal

Are you searching for a meal that hits all the right notes — fresh, light, nutritious, and incredibly flavorful? This Chicken Spinach Salad is exactly what you need! It’s a perennial favorite in my family, not just because of its delightful taste but also due to how effortlessly it comes together. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, you’ll appreciate the simplicity and speed with which this vibrant salad can be prepared, making it an ideal solution for busy weeknights or a refreshing weekend lunch.

The beauty of this salad lies in its carefully chosen components, each playing a crucial role in creating a balanced and exciting dish. We start with succulent chicken breast, seasoned to perfection, forming a protein-rich base. This is layered with a generous bed of fresh baby spinach, offering a boost of vitamins and a pleasing texture. The salad truly sings with the addition of sweet strawberries, zesty oranges, and tart blueberries, providing a refreshing burst of fruitiness in every bite. Toasted almonds introduce a delightful crunch and nutty depth, while a scattering of crumbled feta cheese adds a creamy, salty counterpoint that perfectly balances the sweetness of the fruit. The crowning glory is our homemade balsamic vinaigrette, a mere four ingredients that combine to create a tangy, sweet, and utterly addictive dressing that ties all these wonderful elements together.

Preparing this Chicken Spinach Salad is designed to be quick and easy. The homemade dressing is literally a ‘shake and serve’ affair – simply combine the ingredients in a jar and shake until emulsified. The fresh elements require minimal preparation: a quick wash and slice for the berries, and a peel for the oranges. This entire process is so straightforward that you can have a gourmet-quality salad on your table in under 30 minutes, proving that healthy and delicious doesn’t have to mean complicated.

Creative Variations: Customize Your Chicken Spinach Salad

One of the best aspects of this Chicken Spinach Salad is its incredible adaptability. While the core recipe is outstanding, it serves as a fantastic canvas for your culinary creativity. Feel free to adjust ingredients based on seasonality, personal preference, or what you happen to have in your pantry. Here are some inspiring variations to make this salad uniquely yours:

• Expand Your Berry Horizons: Beyond strawberries and blueberries, consider introducing other delightful berries. Blackberries offer a deeper, richer tartness, while raspberries provide a delicate sweetness and vibrant color. You can incorporate them in addition to the original berries or swap them out entirely for a fresh take on the fruit component.
• Alternate Protein Choices: If you’re looking to change up the protein, thinly sliced grilled steak is an excellent option, bringing a robust, savory flavor. For a lighter touch, grilled shrimp or pan-seared salmon can add an elegant seafood twist. Vegetarian alternatives like grilled halloumi or marinated baked tofu also work wonderfully, providing a satisfying texture and flavor profile.
• Cheese, Please!: While feta cheese provides a delightful salty tang, creamy goat cheese is another superb choice that complements the sweet fruits beautifully. Its milder, earthy flavor pairs particularly well with the balsamic dressing. For those who prefer to keep it dairy-free, rest assured that this salad remains incredibly delicious and satisfying even without any cheese.
• Add Creaminess with Avocado: For an extra layer of richness and healthy fats, a chopped or sliced avocado can transform the salad. Its smooth, buttery texture contrasts wonderfully with the crisp spinach and crunchy nuts, while its mild flavor allows the other ingredients to shine.
• Effortless Dressing Options: Our homemade balsamic vinaigrette is undeniably simple and boasts a fresh, balanced flavor that we highly recommend trying. However, if you’re truly pressed for time, a high-quality store-bought balsamic dressing can be a convenient substitute. When selecting a pre-made dressing, look for one with a good balance of sweet and tart notes and minimal artificial ingredients to ensure the best flavor for your salad.

Mastering the Perfect Salad: Essential Recipe Tips

Crafting a truly exceptional Chicken Spinach Salad involves a few key techniques that can elevate your dish from good to gourmet. Pay attention to these expert tips to ensure every component shines and your salad is perfectly balanced:

• Customize Your Dressing to Perfection: The beauty of a homemade dressing is the control you have over its flavor. Before combining it with the entire salad, always taste your balsamic vinaigrette. Is it too tart? Add a touch more honey for sweetness. Do you crave more tang? A tiny bit more Dijon mustard will sharpen the flavor. Don’t hesitate to adjust the salt and pepper levels to achieve a dressing that perfectly suits your palate. A well-balanced dressing is the secret to a memorable salad.
• Strategic Dressing Application: To maintain the crispness of your spinach and the satisfying crunch of your almonds, it’s crucial to dress the salad just before serving. Greens can quickly wilt, and nuts can soften when exposed to dressing for too long. If you’re preparing for multiple servings or meal prepping, keep the dressing separate and add it to individual portions right before you eat. Any leftover balsamic vinaigrette can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a week, ready to enhance future salads or as a quick marinade.
• The Art of Toasting Almonds: Toasted almonds offer a significantly deeper, nuttier flavor and a more satisfying crunch than raw almonds. This simple step is worth the extra few minutes. To toast, spread sliced almonds in a single layer in a dry (no oil needed) heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-low heat. Stir them constantly to prevent burning, as they can quickly turn from golden to charred. They are ready when they become fragrant and lightly browned, typically in about 2-3 minutes. Immediately transfer them to a cool plate to stop the cooking process. For an even more indulgent twist, you could follow instructions for candying almonds, often found in recipes like a Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad, to add a sweet, caramelized crunch.

Preparing the Perfect Chicken for Your Salad

The chicken component is a cornerstone of this Chicken Spinach Salad, providing hearty protein and savory flavor. Fortunately, there are several simple and effective ways to prepare it, allowing you to choose the method that best fits your schedule and cooking preferences. The goal is always tender, juicy, and well-seasoned chicken that perfectly complements the fresh, vibrant elements of the salad.

• The Ultimate Convenience: Rotisserie Chicken: For those days when time is of the essence, a store-bought rotisserie chicken is an absolute lifesaver. Simply grab a freshly cooked, hot rotisserie chicken from your local grocery store, let it cool slightly, then shred or chop the meat to your desired size. Many supermarket delis even offer pre-shredded rotisserie chicken, making your prep time virtually non-existent. This option ensures a delicious and quick protein source without any cooking required on your part.
• Smart Strategy: Utilizing Leftover Chicken: If you’re already cooking chicken for other meals during the week, it’s incredibly efficient to cook a little extra specifically for this salad. This makes meal preparation a breeze and ensures you have a healthy option ready to go. We highly recommend making a double batch of our favorite Grilled Chicken Marinade; it yields wonderfully tender and flavorful chicken that’s ideal for slicing into this salad.
• Classic & Flavorful: Fresh Grilled Chicken: If you prefer to grill your chicken fresh, the process is straightforward and imparts a fantastic smoky flavor. Begin by drizzling boneless, skinless chicken breasts with olive oil. Season them generously on both sides with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a lemon pepper seasoning blend for an extra layer of zest. Grill the chicken over medium-high heat for approximately 4-6 minutes per side. Cook until the chicken is opaque throughout, the juices run clear, and an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is registered with a meat thermometer. Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes after grilling before slicing to help retain its moisture.
• Quick & Succulent: Fresh Sautéed Chicken: For stovetop preparation, especially with thicker chicken breasts, it’s best to halve them horizontally to create thinner cutlets. This ensures quicker and more even cooking. Drizzle both sides of the chicken cutlets with olive oil and season generously with salt, pepper, and lemon pepper seasoning. Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and sauté for about 4-6 minutes per side. Cook until the chicken is beautifully golden, cooked through, and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This method results in tender, succulent chicken with a delicious caramelized exterior.

Optimal Storage Tips for Your Chicken Spinach Salad

To ensure the best possible flavor and texture, this Chicken Spinach Salad is truly at its peak when enjoyed immediately after assembly. The combination of juicy fruits, delicate spinach, and the tangy balsamic dressing means that once tossed, the salad doesn’t hold up well over time. The greens tend to wilt rapidly, and the wonderful crispness of the toasted almonds can quickly diminish.

For this reason, we highly recommend a strategic approach to storage, especially if you plan to enjoy the salad over multiple sittings or as part of your weekly meal prep:

• Dress Just Before Serving: The golden rule for this salad is to only dress the portion you intend to eat right away. This simple step preserves the vibrant crispness of the spinach and prevents the almonds from becoming soft.
• Component-Based Storage: For meal prepping or storing leftovers, separate all the individual components. Keep the cooked and sliced chicken, fresh spinach, berries, oranges, toasted almonds, and feta cheese in their own distinct airtight containers. Store all components in the refrigerator, with the exception of toasted almonds, which can be kept at room temperature in an airtight container to maintain their crunch.
• Dressing Longevity: The homemade balsamic vinaigrette can be stored separately in a jar with a tight-fitting lid in the refrigerator for up to one week. This way, you can easily assemble fresh, perfectly crisp salads whenever you’re ready to enjoy them, simply adding the dressing at the very last moment.

Explore More Delightful Salad Recipes

If you’ve enjoyed the fresh and vibrant flavors of our Chicken Spinach Salad, you’ll love exploring these other fantastic salad creations. Each recipe offers a unique blend of ingredients and dressings, perfect for any occasion and a great way to incorporate more delicious, healthy meals into your diet:

• Blackberry Salad: A delightful mix of fresh blackberries, often paired with a homemade creamy poppy seed dressing for a sweet and tangy experience.
• Mandarin Orange Salad: A refreshing citrus-infused salad, typically featuring crisp greens, mandarin oranges, and a bright orange poppyseed vinaigrette.
• Greek Pasta Salad: A hearty and flavorful pasta salad brimming with Mediterranean ingredients like olives, feta, and tomatoes, all tossed in a zesty Greek-inspired vinaigrette.
• Italian Chopped Salad: A popular copycat recipe reminiscent of California Pizza Kitchen’s famous version, packed with savory flavors, various vegetables, and Italian meats or cheeses.
• Corn Salad: A vibrant and smoky salad, often featuring grilled corn, crispy bacon, and a refreshing lime vinaigrette, perfect for summer gatherings.

Chicken Spinach Salad

By Chelsea Lords

This Chicken Spinach Salad is loaded with juicy chicken, fresh berries, sweet oranges, toasted almonds, and feta, all tossed in a simple balsamic vinaigrette. Fresh, flavorful, and so easy!

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 2 servings

Equipment

• Large pan or grill pan
• Jar with tight-fitting lid (for dressing)
• Large mixing bowl

Ingredients

For the Salad:

• 8-1/2 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast (approximately 1 large breast)
• Olive oil (for cooking chicken)
• Seasoning blend (such as Mrs. Dash chicken grilling blends seasoning, salt, and pepper; see note 1)
• 4 cups baby spinach
• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
• 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup clementine oranges (from 1 clementine, peeled and segmented, or thoroughly drained canned mandarin oranges)
• 2 to 3 tablespoons feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 to 3 tablespoons sliced almonds (see note 2 for toasting instructions)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Dressing:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
• 1-1/2 teaspoons honey

Instructions

1. Prepare Fruit and Greens: Begin by washing and thoroughly drying all fresh fruit and spinach. Any residual moisture can prevent the dressing from adhering properly. Remove the stems from the strawberries and thinly slice them. Peel and segment the clementines. If using large spinach leaves, you may wish to remove any prominent stems and tear the leaves into smaller, more manageable pieces.
2. Prepare Chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken breast. If you have a particularly thick chicken breast, slice it horizontally to create two thinner cutlets, which will ensure more even and quicker cooking. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Drizzle olive oil over both sides of the chicken, then generously sprinkle with salt, pepper, and your preferred chicken grilling blend seasoning.
3. Cook Chicken: Heat 2-3 teaspoons of olive oil in a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, carefully place the seasoned chicken pieces into it. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for approximately 4-5 minutes per side, flipping once halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through, the juices run clear, and an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is registered. If the chicken begins to brown too quickly, slightly lower the heat. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pan, cover it loosely with foil, and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This resting period helps retain moisture. After resting, thinly slice or chop the chicken.
4. Prepare Dressing: In a jar equipped with a tight-fitting lid, combine all the dressing ingredients: 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard, and 1-1/2 teaspoons honey. Add salt and pepper to taste; a good starting point is 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously until all ingredients are well combined and the dressing is emulsified.
5. Assemble Salad: In a large mixing bowl, place the baby spinach. Drizzle a few tablespoons of the prepared dressing over the spinach and gently toss to coat the leaves. Next, add the sliced strawberries, fresh blueberries, and clementine oranges. Incorporate the slightly cooled, chopped chicken, along with the toasted sliced almonds and crumbled feta cheese. Drizzle with additional dressing as desired, then toss once more to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated and combined. Serve your fresh and flavorful Chicken Spinach Salad immediately.

Recipe Notes

• Note 1: Chicken Preparation Options: The method for preparing the chicken can be adapted to your preference and time constraints:
  • Rotisserie Chicken: For the quickest option, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. Simply shred or chop the meat as needed.
  • Leftover Chicken: If you have cooked chicken from another meal, dice or slice it and add it to the salad.
  • Fresh Grilled or Sautéed: Season chicken with olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon pepper. Grill or sauté for 4-6 minutes per side until an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is reached.
• Note 2: Toasting Almonds: To enhance the flavor and crunch of your sliced almonds, toast them. Place almonds in a single layer in a dry, heavy skillet over medium-low heat. Stir constantly for 2-3 minutes until they become fragrant and lightly golden. Immediately transfer them from the hot pan to a plate to cool, preventing them from burning.
• Storage: This salad is best enjoyed fresh, as the dressing can cause the spinach to wilt and almonds to soften over time. To preserve freshness, only dress the portion of the salad you plan to eat immediately. Store leftover salad components (chicken, spinach, fruit, almonds, feta, and dressing) separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Information

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation. Values may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

• Serving: 2 servings
• Calories: 606 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Protein: 21 g
• Fat: 43 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 27 g
• Trans Fat: 0.01 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg
• Sodium: 587 mg
• Potassium: 3016 mg
• Fiber: 16 g
• Sugar: 22 g
• Vitamin A: 44482 IU
• Vitamin C: 202 mg
• Calcium: 626 mg
• Iron: 14 mg

Enjoyed making this delicious Chicken Spinach Salad? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a comment below with your experience or any variations you tried.