Summer season Raspberry Spinach Salad with Balsamic Grilled Hen

I’ve a tiny downside in the summertime: I am obsessive about summer season salads, however I additionally need them to really feel like an actual meal. Not “I ate a bowl of spinach and referred to as it dinner” vitality. This Raspberry Spinach Salad with Grilled Hen is the one I make once I need one thing recent and fairly, however I additionally want protein and crunch and an precise plan.

It is mainly a steakhouse-style salad, simply lighter and quicker. You marinate the hen in a balsamic-honey-Dijon combine (the soy sauce is the sneaky ingredient that makes it style extra like one thing you’d order), grill it till it is juicy, then slice it over spinach with recent berries, skinny shallots, blue cheese, and toasted pecans.

The very best half is you’ll be able to prep the dressing and toppings whereas the hen marinates, so if you’re hungry, you are simply tossing and topping and consuming!

Earlier than You Get Began

A couple of fast prep notes to make this simple and preserve the salad crisp.

• Hen thickness: Slice thick hen breasts lengthwise into even cutlets in order that they cook dinner quick and do not dry out.
• Marinate timing: half-hour works, however 3–4 hours tastes finest. In the event you’re marinating longer, preserve it within the fridge and goal to cook dinner inside 24 hours for the most effective texture.
• Raspberry dealing with: Use agency berries and add them on the finish so they do not get smashed into the spinach.
• Pecan shortcut: Purchase pre-toasted pecans, or toast them whereas the grill preheats in order that they’re heat and additional aromatic.

The right way to Make Raspberry Spinach Salad with Grilled Hen

This comes collectively in three simple components: marinate, grill, toss.

1. Marinate The Hen

Whisk collectively balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, honey (or brown sugar), Dijon, soy sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add the hen and marinate a minimum of half-hour, ideally 3–4 hours.

Professional tip: Put the hen in a zip-top bag so each piece will get coated and you do not want an enormous container.

2. Grill The Hen

Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high warmth. Cook dinner hen 4–5 minutes per facet (relying on thickness) till cooked by way of. Let it relaxation 5 minutes, then slice.

Professional tip: Pull the hen at 165°F within the thickest half so it stays juicy.

3. Make The Dressing

Whisk collectively Greek yogurt, low-fat mayo, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, sugar (or honey), poppyseeds, Dijon, salt, and pepper. Style and alter.

Professional tip: If it tastes too sharp, add somewhat extra sugar or honey. If it tastes too candy, add a tiny splash extra vinegar.

4. Toss The Salad

Gently toss spinach, raspberries, and shallots. Add dressing little by little till coated (you might not want all of it). Prime with cheese and pecans.

Professional tip: Sprinkle toppings after tossing so the pecans keep crunchy, and the cheese does not disappear into the greens.

Various Cooking Technique

In the event you’re not grilling, you’ll be able to nonetheless make this work.

Preheat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high warmth, add a small drizzle of oil, and cook dinner the marinated hen the identical means (4–5 minutes per facet for skinny cutlets). Relaxation, then slice.

Recipe Ideas and Tips

These allow you to customise with out breaking the salad.

• Greens swap: Child spinach is basic, however spring combine or arugula works nice in order for you extra chew.
• Berry combine: Add blueberries or blackberries for somewhat extra sweetness and coloration (particularly in case your raspberries are tart).
• Cheese selection: Blue cheese is my favourite, however you’ll be able to swap it with creamy goat cheese or crumbled feta cheese!
• Candied pecans: If you’d like that steakhouse salad vibe, use candied pecans. In the event you’re conserving it lighter, toasted is ideal.
• Raspberry dressing choice: For extra raspberry taste, swap the creamy dressing for Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing!
• Make it meal-prep pleasant: Retailer hen, dressing, berries, and toppings individually, then assemble proper earlier than consuming so nothing will get soggy.

Serving Concepts

This salad might be dinner by itself, however listed here are a couple of simple add-ons.

Storage & Reheating

Maintain the components separate, and you will have a simple, recent dinner able to assemble in minutes.

• Storage: Retailer hen, dressing, greens, berries, and toppings individually within the fridge for as much as 3 days.
• Freezer: Freeze cooked hen (sliced) for as much as 2 months. Do not freeze the greens or berries.
• Reheating: Reheat hen gently within the microwave or a skillet simply till heat, or serve it chilly.
• Leftovers: Flip it right into a wrap or grain bowl with further berries and somewhat cheese.