Sunshine Supper Grilled Chicken Strawberry Spinach Salad with HoneyBalsamic Drizzle

Grilled Chicken Strawberry Spinach Salad

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Preparation time:15 Mins

Cooking time:12 Mins

Servings:4 servings

Ingredients:

• 60 ml (1/4 cup) Extra Virgin Olive Oil (for vinaigrette)
• 45 ml (3 tbsp) Balsamic Vinegar
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) Runny Honey or Maple Syrup
• 5 ml (1 tsp) Dijon Mustard
• 1/4 tsp Sea Salt (for vinaigrette)
• 1/8 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper (for vinaigrette)
• 4 (approx. 175g/6 oz each) Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) Olive Oil (for marinade)
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) Fresh Lemon Juice
• 1 tsp Dried Oregano
• 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1/2 tsp Sea Salt (for chicken)
• 1/4 tsp Black Pepper (for chicken)
• 140 g (5 oz) Fresh Spinach Leaves (baby spinach preferred)
• 300 g (1 pint) Fresh Strawberries, hulled and quartered
• 120 g (4 oz) Cucumber, thinly sliced or chopped
• 60 g (1/2 cup) Pecans or Walnuts, lightly toasted
• 45 g (3 tbsp) Crumbled Feta or Goat Cheese (optional)

Instructions:

• Combine the 1/4 cup olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake vigorously until the dressing is emulsified and creamy. Set aside.
• Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts. In a bowl or Ziplock bag, combine the chicken with the 2 tbsp olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Ensure the chicken is well coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
• Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates. Place the marinated chicken breasts on the hot grill. Cook for 5–6 minutes per side, flipping once, until the internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F). Remove the chicken and let it rest, loosely tented with foil, for 5 minutes. Slice the chicken thinly against the grain.
• In the large salad bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries, and cucumber. Gently scatter the toasted pecans/walnuts and crumbled cheese (if using) over the salad greens.
• Just before serving, drizzle about half of the prepared Honey-Balsamic Vinaigrette over the salad components. Toss gently. Arrange the sliced, warm grilled chicken artfully over the salad. Serve immediately, offering the remaining dressing on the side.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:3896 kcal

Protein:20.0 g

Fat:98.3 g

Carbs:107.5 g

Fiber:26.2 g

Sugar:0.0 g

Sodium:740 mg

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course; Salad; Lunch

Cuisine:American

Sunshine Supper: The Perfect Grilled Chicken Salad with Strawberries and Spinac

Few dishes capture the essence of light, flavourful eating quite like a beautifully composed salad, and this one is a true showstopper. Forget limp lettuce and tired toppings; we are elevating the humble green salad into a complete culinary experience. This isn't just a side dish—it's a vibrant, satisfying main course that perfectly balances smoky protein, sweet fruit, and sharp dressing. When you’re craving a refreshing yet hearty meal, this Grilled Chicken Salad with Strawberries and Spinac delivers an immediate hit of summer flavour, making it the ideal Protein-Packed Summer Salad for any occasion.

Why This Recipe Is Your Summer Flavor MVP

This particular Grilled Chicken Salad Recipe has earned its spot as a staple in my kitchen for several compelling reasons. It’s remarkably easy to execute, requiring less than an hour of total time (including a vital 30-minute marinade), and it packs significant nutritional punch, making it far superior to anything you’d grab pre-made.

The Magic of Sweet & Savory Balance

The genius of this dish lies in the seamless contrast between its main components. We take succulent chicken breasts, lightly seasoned with oregano and garlic powder, and infuse them with smoky char on the grill. This savoury depth is immediately brightened by the inclusion of plump, ripe strawberries and the earthiness of the spinach. The whole symphony is tied together by the tang of our homemade Honey-Balsamic Vinaigrette, creating an irresistible dance of textures and tastes that truly elevates the simple act of eating greens.

Quick Meal Prep for Busy Weeknights

With an active prep time clocking in at just 15 minutes and a cook time of around 10 to 12 minutes, this recipe is perfectly engineered for speed. While the chicken requires a minimum 30-minute marination period to absorb maximum flavour, this passive time is easily used to whisk up the dressing, toast the nuts, and prep the salad base. This efficiency makes it an outstanding choice for a Healthy Meal Prep Salad component, ensuring delicious, lean dinners are ready even on the busiest weeknights.

Elevating Classic Greens: A Culinary Upgrade

While many know and love a simple Strawberry Spinach Salad , our version turns up the volume. We choose tender baby spinach for its delicate texture and mild flavour, which pairs beautifully with the tangy dressing. Adding crisp cucumber slices introduces a cooling element, while a scattering of toasted pecans or walnuts provides an essential textural contrast—a crucial difference that moves this from a simple side to a deeply satisfying main. When you follow this Spinach Salad with Strawberry Recipe , you’re not just making a salad; you’re crafting a complete meal solution.

Gathering Your Fresh Components for the Ultimate Salad

To embark on this culinary journey, you will need a few star ingredients. For the base, procure 140 grams (about 5 ounces) of fresh baby spinach leaves, which serves as a vibrant, earthy foundation. The essential sweetness comes from a generous pint (around 300 grams) of fresh strawberries, which should be hulled and quartered for optimal presentation and bite. We also add 120 grams of thinly sliced or chopped cucumber for its cooling crispness. Finally, for depth, you will need about 60 grams of toasted pecans or walnuts and an optional, but highly recommended, 45 grams of crumbled Feta or Goat Cheese to introduce a salty, sharp counterpoint to the fruit.

Essential Tools and Pantry Staples

Success in this recipe hinges on having the right pantry ingredients for maximum flavour development, especially for the protein and the signature dressing.

The Key to Juicy Grilled Chicken Seasoning

We start with four approximately 175-gram (6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts. To ensure they remain tender and flavourful during grilling, they are coated in a vibrant mix that acts as both a protective layer and a seasoning agent: 30 ml (two tablespoons) of olive oil, 15 ml (one tablespoon) of fresh lemon juice, one teaspoon of dried oregano, and half a teaspoon each of garlic powder and sea salt, finished with a generous grind of black pepper. This simple blend is the foundation of our smoky, seasoned protein.

Selecting the Ripest Strawberries and Crisp Spinach

Quality produce is non-negotiable here. Choose strawberries that are firm, bright red, and fragrant—this guarantees the best sweetness for the salad. For the greens, baby spinach is strongly preferred over mature spinach, as its leaves are more tender and require less aggressive chewing, making for a much lighter eating experience.

The Secret Behind the Honey-Balsamic Vinaigrette

For those wondering what dressing goes with strawberry spinach salad , the answer is a homemade honey-balsamic blend. It must be sharp enough to cut through the sweetness of the fruit while rich enough to coat the greens. The vinaigrette is built upon 60 ml of Extra Virgin Olive Oil combined with 45 ml of high-quality Balsamic Vinegar. Crucially, 15 ml of runny honey (or maple syrup for a vegan option) provides balancing sweetness, while 5 ml of Dijon mustard acts as a vital emufier, preventing the dressing from separating.

Necessary Kitchen Gear for Grilling Success

While this recipe is straightforward, a few essential items ensure perfect results. You will need a grill or grill pan preheated to medium-high heat. For the dressing, a whisk or a small jar with a tight-fitting lid is required for emufication. Finally,, to ensure your chicken is safe and perfectly cooked (and never dry), an instant-read meat thermometer is the most valuable tool in your arsenal.

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The Flavor Journey: Step-by-Step Preparation Guide

The preparation of this delightful meal is broken down into two main simultaneous tracks: preparing the dressing and marinating the chicken. We start by tackling the vinaigrette so those bold flavours have time to meld. Next, the chicken is seasoned and set aside. Only once the main flavour components are ready do we fire up the grill and proceed to the final, swift assembly. The minimal active time makes this process entirely stress-free.

Mastering the Grill and Dressing Techniques

Executing the cooking phase properly is what separates a good salad from a great one. Attention to temperature and timing is paramount.

Prepping the Chicken for Maximum Sizzle and Tenderness

Once the chicken has marinated for a minimum of 30 minutes, it is ready for the heat. Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high and, critically, lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking. Place the marinated chicken breasts down and resist the urge to move them; this ensures those beautiful grill marks. Cook for approximately 5 to 6 minutes per side. The chicken is perfectly done only when an instant-read thermometer registers 74° C ( 165° F) at the thickest part. Remove them immediately and let them rest, loosely tented under foil, for five minutes. This resting period is non-negotiable for achieving truly juicy, tender results before slicing thinly against the grain.

Whisking Up the Tangy Honey-Balsamic Drizzle

The dressing should be prepared first. Combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small jar. Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds until the dressing thickens slightly and is beautifully emufied. Alternatively, a quick, thorough whisking in a small bowl achieves the same goal. Setting this aside allows the balsamic’s sharp acidity to mellow slightly, making the resulting drizzle perfect.

Slicing and Marinating: The Strawberry Prep

While your chicken is grilling and resting, combine the 140g of spinach, the 300g of quartered strawberries, and the sliced cucumber in your large salad bowl. At this stage, scatter the toasted pecans or walnuts and any optional crumbled cheese over the greens. We now have a beautiful canvas ready for the protein and the finish work.

Final Assembly of the Grilled Chicken Salad with Strawberries and Spinac

The moment of truth! Just before serving, take the beautifully emufied Honey-Balsamic Vinaigrette and drizzle approximately half of it over the combined salad components. Toss the greens and fruit very gently to ensure the strawberries remain intact. Artfully arrange the warm, sliced grilled chicken over the top of the vibrant salad. Present this stunning Grilled Chicken Salad with Strawberries and Spinac immediately, offering the remaining dressing on the side so guests can customize their desired level of tang.

Maximizing Your Meal: Expert Tips and Enhancements

To take this dish from home cook standard to gourmet quality, employ a few chef-approved tricks. First off,, always take the time to toast your pecans or walnuts; a quick few minutes in a dry pan enhances their nutty aroma and crunch significantly. Next,, if you are including the optional Feta or Goat Cheese, try sprinkling a micro-pinch of flaky sea salt directly over the quartered strawberries—this counter-intuitive step actually enhances their natural sweetness, making the overall flavour profile pop when combined with the salty cheese. Finally, and most importantly, only dress the portion of the salad that you plan to consume immediately. Dressing the whole batch prematurely will cause the spinach to wilt rapidly, compromising the crucial crispness of your beautiful meal. When considering what to serve with strawberry spinach salad , a small basket of warm, crusty artisan bread for mopping up the delicious dressing or a chilled glass of dry Rosé makes a perfect pairing.

Storage, Nutrition, and Ingredient Swaps

This recipe is incredibly flexible, accommodating various dietary needs and meal-prep strategies.

Troubleshooting Dry Chicken: Grilling Temperature Control

The number one culprit for dry chicken is overcooking. To ensure the succulence of the lean protein, remember that the only true indicator of doneness is reaching an internal temperature of 74° C ( 165° F). Removing the chicken precisely at this point and, as stressed previously, allowing the five-minute rest ensures maximum juiciness and makes slicing a breeze. Never rely solely on visual checks.

Making This Grilled Chicken Salad with Strawberries and Spinac Dairy-Free

If you need a dairy-free adaptation for your Grilled Chicken Salad with Strawberries and Spinac , simply omit the optional Feta or Goat Cheese. To replace the creamy texture, try adding thinly sliced avocado cubes to the salad base. If you wish to swap the protein entirely, grilled salmon or prawns are excellent alternatives that pair wonderfully with the Honey-Balsamic Drizzle, requiring only a simple seasoning of salt, pepper, and lemon juice before grilling.

Safe Storage and Shelf Life of Leftovers

This recipe excels as a Healthy Meal Prep Salad when managed correctly. Always store the components separately: the dressing should be kept sealed, and the cooked, sliced chicken should be kept in an airtight container, and the washed, undressed greens and fruit should be stored apart. When stored correctly in the refrigerator, the chicken and the dressing will last for 3 to 4 days, allowing you to quickly assemble a fresh, vibrant salad throughout the week.

Quick Nutritional Snapshot (Calories and Protein Count)

This dish yields four substantial main-course servings and is exceptionally lean and filling. Per serving (excluding extra cheese or additional dressing), you are looking at an estimated 380 to 420 calories. A significant portion of this total is pure fuel: you can expect a robust 35 to 40 grams of protein, making this a fantastic option for active individuals looking for a nutritious and flavourful summer meal.