Using in season Florida strawberries, this Strawberry Chicken Spinach Salad is not only packed with strawberry flavor but it’s great a way to start the new year off right! Not only are strawberries in the salad, but they’re in the dressing, too!
It’s winter here in my part of the big green ball we call Earth. Which I don’t mind. I love the chilly weather, wearing sweaters, and snuggling under a blanket watching holiday movies. I am a total winter hoor through and through.
However, I can’t live in winter year-round. I mean, even the poles have seasons. Granted their spring and fall is probably super short. But there must be a weather change experienced there for a “winter” with REALLY cold temperatures and a “summer” where it’s like a few degrees below freezing or something like that.
Anyone live in the poles? No? Okay. Moving on.
Besides, I don’t think you can grow all the produce known to man indoors can you? Is that even possible? Would it even taste good? That’s one tangent I don’t think I really want to go down right now. Besides, with Florida strawberries, I don’t have to worry about that. I can get fresh strawberries from farms in Florida at my grocery store right now.
I was like you. Well, maybe you weren’t like me. I was not very schooled in where my strawberries came from. If I wanted strawberries, I’d just pick up a blister pack at the store not really paying attention to where they came from.
Then I saw the light. All those other packages didn’t have that great strawberry taste I was looking for. They didn’t have the sweetness we all know and love about strawberries. Finally, they just didn’t last as long in the fridge.
After a couple of days they were starting to lose their shine. In about a week, they were obviously starting to go bad. If I didn’t time it right, I wound up just pitching them in the trash. I hate food waste. I’m a food hoarder, so throwing out perfectly good food was heartbreaking to me.
Florida strawberries are shipped directly from Florida. Yeah, I know; sort of no brainer. But you have to spell it out for some people. At least that’s what I’m realizing at work. Anyway, that’s much closer those other berries from across the border. So, you know they’re going to be fresh.
Florida strawberries have amazing flavor. And since they’re practically fat free and low in calories, I don’t have to worry about how many of those delicious berries I scarf down. They have no cholesterol and contain lots of folic acid that helps metabolize protein. I could go through one (or two or three) packs in one sitting and not only be deliciously full, but have no guilt what so ever!
My doctor might even encourage me to do that! Because not only are Florida strawberries good for you, but they are one of just a handful of foods that are nutrient dense. Meaning, in one serving you get a TON of nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and ellagic acid that keep you healthy. Florida strawberries can not only help fight cancer but heart disease and a few other illnesses.
Finally, these sweet red delicious gems are high in potassium. Now, I know I’ve talked about the importance of this mineral before. But just to recap: potassium helps brain function and aids in reducing stress, stabilizes blood sugar and pressure, and enhances bone health. It helps reduce muscle spasms and disorders by strengthening them.
Now that I’ve explained a few healthy benefits of eating Florida strawberries, let me dazzle you by telling you that Florida strawberries are in season RIGHT NOW!! I’m not kidding. I went to my local Aldi and picked up three packs from Wish Farms. When we were at Weis Markets picking up our holiday roast last weekend they had Florida strawberries, too. It always puts a smile on my face when I see that Fresh from Florida sticker and know they are fresher than any other berry you’ll find.
I couldn’t put these delicious berries in just any salad. Yes, I did make a traditional chicken salad with strawberries. Maybe I’ll share that recipe later. But this recipe is about highlighting the flavor that Florida strawberries have which beats all others hands down.
You don’t want to bury these babies into a mayonnaise and sour cream laden chicken salad. Oh no, my dear readers. You want to highlight these Florida strawberries all on their own. So, I decided to showcase them in a delicious tossed salad. But not just any salad, one that is drizzled with a fresh strawberry vinaigrette.
Oh, yes I did! I blended up some Florida strawberries into a healthy and flavorful vinaigrette to pour over my strawberry chicken spinach salad. And this salad is super healthy. It starts with a base of baby spinach that’s topped with low fat chicken breast, crispy red onions, heart healthy eggs, toasted pecans, and mineral rich crumbled blue cheese.
After all those cookies full of sugar, gravies full of fat, and all the empty calorie cocktails, I thought I’d start the new year off right with this healthy tossed strawberry chicken spinach salad. I can just feel the pounds floating away by looking at it.
All those layers of flavor in one bowl is just mind blowing. And, as if that wasn’t enough, the fresh strawberry vinaigrette just tops off this amazing salad. I couldn’t top this strawberry chicken spinach salad with just any dressing, you know. It had to be one worthy to be on top of this amazing salad. It had to be made with fresh Florida strawberries.
So, I hope you’re like me and vow to eat better in the new year. It’s baby steps, like this baby spinach, that will help us eat right and feel better this year. And since Florida strawberries are in stores like Aldi and Weis right now, there’s no excuse not to pick some up. You won’t regret it. You’ll even thank me because these berries have the best flavor that need only be washed and then devoured.
Florida Strawberry Growers Association share healthy recipes all the time! Make sure you follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and YouTube so you don’t miss their sweet berries in delicious recipes. Since they’re made with strawberries, you know their recipes will be good for you!
Strawberry Chicken Spinach Salad
Using in season Florida strawberries, this Strawberry Chicken Spinach Salad is not only packed with strawberry flavor but it’s great a way to start the new year off right! Not only are strawberries in the salad, but they’re in the dressing, too!
For the salad:
- 1 grilled chicken breast
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/8 cup coarsely chopped pecans
- 1 cup sliced Florida strawberries
For the dressing:
- 1 cup strawberry puree
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey ginger white balsamic vinegar (or 2 teaspoons white balsamic vinegar, 3/4 teaspoon honey, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground ginger)
- 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the dressing:
-
Combine all ingredients in a jar and shake until blended. Chill before serving. Store remaining dressing in an airtight container up to one week.
For the salad:
-
Lightly toss the spinach with 1 tablespoon of the dressing.
-
Add the blue cheese, red onion, and pecans and lightly toss again adding more dressing as needed. Fold in the strawberries and place in a salad bowl (or plate).
-
Slice the chicken breast and place on top of the salad. Drizzle with dressing to taste and serve.
Want more Healthy Family Recipes?
Then try these recipes from the other participating bloggers.
Healthy Family Recipes Using Strawberries
Healthy Strawberry Appetizers
- Chicken and Strawberry Caprese Wonton Cups by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Strawberry Avocado Pinwheels by Helpful Homemade
- Strawberry Avocado Toast by Family Foodie
- Strawberry Balsamic Flatbread by Authentically Candace
- Strawberry Shrimp Ceviche Cocktail by Soulfully Made
Healthy Strawberry Salads
- Strawberry Avocado Salad with Fresh Mozzarella and Walnuts by Jersey Girl Cooks
- Strawberry Chicken Spinach Salad by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Strawberry Pasta Salad by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Strawberry Quinoa Salad with Feta Cheese by Cricket’s Confections
- Strawberry Spinach Feta Salad by Caroline’s Cooking
- Wild Rice Salad with Strawberries by Sunday Supper Movement
Healthy Strawberry Main Dishes
- Chicken with Strawberry Satay Sauce by Kudos Kitchen by Renee
- Rotisserie Chicken Strawberry Pizza by Go Epicurista
- Strawberry Balsamic Chicken by Flour On My Face
- Strawberry Glazed Salmon by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Healthy Strawberry Desserts
- Chamomile Strawberry Chia Pudding by Mid-Life Croissant
- Frozen Strawberry Chocolate Yogurt Bark by Renee’s Kitchen Adventures
- Paleo Strawberry Cobbler by Pies and Plots
- Strawberry Oatmeal Bars by Desserts Required
- Strawberry Pavlova with Coconut Cream by Recipes Food and Cooking
The Sunday Supper Movement is committed to bringing our readers delicious recipes that encourage them to gather and eat together around the family table. Search for your favorite ingredients on our Sunday Supper website. Also check out the Sunday Supper Pinterest boards for plenty more ideas and inspiration.
This post is sponsored by Florida Strawberry in conjunction with a social media campaign through Sunday Supper LLC. All opinions are my own.
The post Strawberry Chicken Spinach Salad #SundaySupper appeared first on A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures.
