Spinach Blackberry Salad with Balsamic Chicken
A delicious summer salad loaded with crisp cucumber, juicy blackberries, crunchy pecans, and the best balsamic chicken you’ve ever had. Fresh, filling, and healthy!
Ingredients
Marinade:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
- 8-10 cranks fresh-ground black pepper
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Dressing:
- 3/4 cup blackberries
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- pinch kosher or sea salt
- 6-8 cranks fresh-ground black pepper
Salads:
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 1-2 Persian cucumbers sliced
- 1 cup blackberries
- 1/4 cup glazed pecans
- 2-3 tablespoons crumbled feta
Instructions
- First, prep the chicken. In a large bowl, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth. Add the chicken, turning to coat in the marinade. Cover and transfer to the fridge for at least 20 minutes and up to 4 hours.
- When ready to cook, discard marinade and grill or saute chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Set aside and, when slightly cooled, slice into strips.
- To make the dressing, puree blackberries in a food processor or blender. Press the resulting pulp through a fine mesh strainer or sieve to remove the seeds. Discard seeds; combine strained puree with the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, thyme, salt, and pepper in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid. Cover, shake well, and set aside until ready to serve. Dressing can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- To assemble the salads, combine spinach, cucumbers, and blackberries in a bowl. Drizzle on a small amount of the dressing and toss. Add sliced chicken, pecans, and feta. Serve with additional dressing as desired.
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Notes
- This yields 2 generous salads, perfect for a filling lunch or dinner. If serving as a side, estimate 4 portions.
Nutrition Estimate
Calories: 419 kcal, Carbohydrates: 24 g, Protein: 52 g, Fat: 12 g, Saturated Fat: 2 g, Cholesterol: 145 mg, Sodium: 370 mg, Potassium: 1434 mg, Fiber: 9 g, Sugar: 14 g, Vitamin A: 5993 IU, Vitamin C: 47 mg, Calcium: 117 mg, Iron: 4 mg