Spinach Salad Recipe has juicy grilled chicken, sweet summer strawberries, creamy goat cheese, avocado, and pecans drizzled with a fresh and creamy Strawberry Vinaigrette. Makes a lovely summer lunch or dinner main dish!
Last summer, I came up with the idea for this recipe. A year later, I finally got to make it again to share. It is the perfect summer salad as strawberries are in season and in abundance.
I always have recipe ideas in mind to make, but usually, only end up making about half of them. Because I just don’t have the time. I asked my husband to help watch the kids while I made the salad so we could enjoy it for dinner. In the middle of making it, a storm began to roll in. The sky became dark and looked like it was about to start pouring rain. I was trying to hurry and finish grilling before it really came down. Then when it came time to take the final pictures it was pretty dark out and I only take natural light photos. I was relieved that the pictures turned out fairly light and you can’t even tell what was going on outside. It was a race against the clock and I am so glad I got it done so I could share the recipe with you!
This is a really tasty and easy strawberry and spinach salad recipe! I love the combination of flavors and textures. It includes flavorful grilled chicken, sweet strawberries, creamy avocado, tangy goat cheese, and crunchy pecans. With a creamy and fresh strawberry vinaigrette to top it off. Whether you need a healthy lunch or dinner idea, are meal prepping for the week, or need a big salad for a get-together this is the salad recipe for you!
Ingredients in Strawberry and Spinach Salad Recipe
I like this roasted garlic and herb seasoning, but feel free to use your favorite chicken seasoning.
How to Make Spinach Salad Recipe with Strawberries
- Grill the chicken. Drizzle the chicken breasts with oil then sprinkle with seasoning. Grill until cooked through with no pink and the internal temperature is 165 degrees F. Slice and serve on top of the salad.
- Make the dressing. While the chicken is cooking, make the vinaigrette. In a food processor add oil, strawberries, vinegar, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pulse until smooth.
- Assemble the salad. Add spinach, sliced strawberries, sliced avocado, crumbled goat cheese, pecans, and grilled sliced chicken to a large serving bowl. Drizzle salad with vinaigrette and serve.
Can I Use Another Type of Lettuce?
I like this recipe with spinach, but think it would also be tasty with kale or a spring mix.
Dressing for Strawberry Spinach Salad
Ingredients
How to Make Strawberry Vinaigrette
Strawberry Vinaigrette is the best dressing for strawberry spinach salad! It’s fresh, creamy, and simple.
In a food processor add oil, strawberries, vinegar, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pulse until smooth.
Vinaigrette can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.
I love making my own salad dressing! Like my Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing that tastes so light and fresh. Or my go-to Italian Dressing that is perfect as a salad dressing or marinade.
Substitutions for Spinach Salad Recipe with Strawberries
This salad is very customizable! You can add or substitute many of the ingredients found in this salad.
- Fruit- Add/substitute blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries. Apples or pears would also make a great substitution or addition to the salad.
- Cheeses- feta, gorgonzola, and blue cheese would taste great on this salad.
- Nuts- walnuts, pepita seeds, slivered almonds, or sunflower seeds would pair well.
What to Serve with Strawberry Spinach Salad?
This strawberry spinach salad recipe is meant to be served as the main course. But if you are looking for something to serve along with it I would recommend a warm baguette.
Can the Salad be Made Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can make this salad ahead of time. Grill the chicken, make the dressing, and begin to assemble the salad all ahead of time. I would recommend waiting to add the avocados until last to prevent browning. And add the dressing last to prevent spinach to wilt and become soggy. Store dressing and salad separately in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Can I Use Another Type of Fruit?
Though this is a strawberry salad, you can replace the strawberries with another berry such as raspberries or blueberries. Or you can always add different berries to this salad.
Storage
Salad without the dressing keeps longer than with it on. Undressed salad will keep in an airtight container the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Refrigerate leftover dressing in an airtight container for a week. Shake before serving.
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Strawberry Spinach Salad with Grilled Chicken
Equipment
- grill or grill pan
- food processor
- large salad bowl
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- McCormick roasted garlic & herb seasoning or your favorite chicken seasoning
- 6 ounces fresh spinach
- 6 ounces fresh strawberries stem removed and sliced
- 2 ripe avocados sliced
- 1 cup pecans
- 3 ounces goat cheese crumbled
Strawberry Viniagrette
- ¼ cup avocado oil or olive oil
- 6 fresh strawberries stem removed
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Heat grill on medium to medium-high heat. Alternatively, a grill pan may be used on the stove. Drizzle chicken breasts with oil then sprinkle with desired amount of roasted garlic and herb seasoning. Grill turning halfway through cooking. Grill until cooked through with no pink and the internal temperature is 165°F. Slice and place on prepared salad.
- While the chicken is grilling make the vinaigrette. In a food processor add oil, strawberries, vinegar, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pulse until smooth.
- To a large salad bowl, add spinach, sliced strawberries, sliced avocado, crumbled goat cheese, pecans, and grilled sliced chicken. Drizzle salad with vinaigrette and serve.
- Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Store dressing in a seperate airtight container or mason jar in the refrigerator for a week.
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