Strawberry-Balsamic Spinach Salad with Chicken

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A quick blender vinaigrette does double duty as dressing for this strawberry spinach salad and, with the addition of ketchup and strawberry preserves, as a barbecue sauce for the tenders.

overhead shot of a plated salad on a light purple table
Credit: Blaine Moats
Prep Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
25 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 servings
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Ingredients

  • 2 cups quartered strawberries, divided

  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

  • ¼ teaspoon salt plus 1/8 teaspoon, divided

  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper, divided

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 tablespoon ketchup

  • 1 tablespoon strawberry preserves

  • 1 pound chicken tenders

  • 1 (5 ounce) package baby spinach

  • ½ cup sliced almonds, toasted

  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese

  • ½ cup torn fresh basil leaves

Directions

  1. Preheat grill to medium-high.

  2. Combine 1 cup strawberries, vinegar and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a blender. Blend until smooth. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in oil. Transfer 1/2 cup of the vinaigrette to a large bowl. Add ketchup and preserves to the blender and pulse until smooth.

  3. Sprinkle chicken with the remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Oil the grill rack. Grill the chicken until it releases easily, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip and baste with the BBQ sauce from the blender. Cook, flipping and basting every 15 seconds, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 165 degrees F, 3 to 4 minutes more. Transfer to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes.

  4. Add spinach, almonds, feta, basil and the remaining 1 cup strawberries to the vinaigrette; toss to combine. Serve the salad topped with the chicken.

Originally appeared: EatingWell Magazine, June 2020

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

389 Calories
23g Fat
16g Carbs
30g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 3 oz. chicken & 2 cups salad
Calories 389
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 16g 6%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Total Sugars 10g
Added Sugars 3g 6%
Protein 30g 59%
Total Fat 23g 30%
Saturated Fat 6g 28%
Cholesterol 79mg 26%
Vitamin A 2700IU 54%
Vitamin C 54mg 59%
Folate 35mcg 9%
Sodium 513mg 22%
Calcium 193mg 15%
Iron 3mg 17%
Magnesium 96mg 23%
Potassium 435mg 9%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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