Strawberry Spinach Salad
Featuring sweet strawberries, herby chicken, tangy feta, and crunchy pecans, this healthy salad is a perfect balance of exciting textures, sharp flavors, and protein to keep you going through the hot Texas summer.
The Dressing
Fresh Lemon Juice, Dijon Mustard & Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: One of the easiest homemade dressings on the block, this mixture will tie the entire salad together and just might become your standard “house” dressing. Fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and oil combine to create the classic dressing that’s got a peppery bite, crisp acidity, and a brightness that’ll make the strawberries really pop.
The Salad
Spinach: Nutrient-packed spinach is one of my favorite bases for a salad, as it has a mildly earthy flavor that plays well with an infinite amount of toppings. If you truly are someone who isn’t into spinach, you could go for something like romaine, but I also love this salad with arugula. You could even sneak some in along with the spinach to get that nice peppery bite.
Red Onion: One of the spicier onions on the spectrum, red onions add a pungent foil to our sweet strawberries.
Strawberries: What would a strawberry spinach salad be without the strawberries? Grab the freshest berries you can find and slice them into medallions to soak up all that amazing dressing.
Rotisserie Chicken Breasts: When it’s way too hot to cook at home, use juicy rotisserie chicken breasts from the store.
Feta: Creamy, brine-y feta plays and sweet-tart strawberries are an incredibly dynamic duo.
Toasted Pecans: Adding plenty of nutty crunch to our salad, toasted pecans can elevate this dish, but check with your resident Downey. Most Downey’s hate nuts in their salad.
Instructions
Seriously? Mix the dressing in a large bowl. Throw the chicken, spinach, and strawberries in and toss to coat. Top with Feta and Pecans, if you’re into nuts. That’s it.
