Have you been looking for a simple and nutritious recipe to make this summer? Whether you have been looking for a quick lunch before heading to the pool or a refreshing dinner outside on the patio, we have you covered with this delicious recipe! This salad consists of fresh and in-season berries, sliced almonds, and seasoned baked chicken on a bed of fresh spinach leaves, all topped with poppy seed dressing. This recipe is cold (which is a staple in this heat) and full of flavor, so follow along and get inspired for your next summer meal!
Almond Berry Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
Total time: 35 minutes.
Serves: 2.
All you need:
1 lb. package of 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (we used SmartChicken)
1.5 tsp. Mrs. Dash Salt-Free Chicken Seasoning
1 tbsp. olive oil
4 cups baby spinach
1 cup blueberries
1 cup strawberries
1/2 cup sliced almonds
4 tbsp. poppy seed dressing (we used Marzetti but feel free to pick up your favorite)
All you do:
1. Gather all listed ingredients.
2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
3. Add 1 Tbsp. of
olive oil and 1.5 tsp. of chicken seasoning into a bowl and mix together.
4. Place chicken
breasts on an ungreased pan, 8 x 8, and brush the olive oil and seasoning
mixture evenly onto the two chicken breasts.
5. Bake in the oven
uncovered for 25-35 minutes until the chicken is no longer pink on the inside.
Check the chicken with a food thermometer and make sure the chicken reaches at
least 165 degrees F, so you know it is safe to eat and cooked
thoroughly.
6. While the chicken
is baking, wash the strawberries and blueberries with cold water. Cut the tops
off of the strawberries and slice each strawberry in half.
7. Place ½ cup of strawberries
in one bowl and ½ cup of strawberries in another bowl. Add ½ cup of blueberries
to each bowl of strawberries.
*One bowl of berries will top one salad bowl.
8. After the chicken is
done baking, transfer the chicken breasts to a cutting board and dice into
bite-sized chunks. Separate the chicken chunks into 2 servings.
9. Add 2 cups of
spinach leaves to each salad bowl (doesn’t need to be exact).
10. Top each salad bowl
with 3 ounces of chicken breast chunks.
11. Add the fresh blueberries and strawberries on top of the
chicken.
12. Add ¼ cup of almonds to each salad.
13. Add 2 tablespoons
of poppy seed salad dressing to each salad.
14. Enjoy the cool,
colorful and nourishing salad!
Now, if you're thinking you may need a little more substance, add some carbs! We have our protein and well over the recommendation of half our plate being fruits and veggies, but this meal could use some more carbs. They're nothing to be afraid of! A side of pasta or rice would be a great, more filling addition. Listen to what your body needs. It's quite smart. J
Do you have a favorite summer meal? We'd love to hear about it!
Until next time,
Your West Lakes Hy-Vee Dietitian Team
