Description
A creamy and flavorful spinach salad featuring tender sautéed chicken, crispy bacon, fresh baby tomatoes, and a zesty lemon-mayo dressing. This salad is perfect as a side dish for gatherings or a light meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 6 oz bag of fresh spinach
- 2 chicken breasts
- 10 oz (about 1 1/2 cups) baby tomatoes
- 6 strips bacon
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups croutons
- 2 Tbsp green onion or chives
Dressing
- 3 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper for chicken
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing and spinach: Use a food processor to mince the fresh spinach until finely chopped. Add the mayonnaise and lemon juice to the minced spinach and pulse or mix until the mixture is creamy and well combined, forming the salad dressing base.
- Cook and dice the chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Sauté them in a pan over medium heat until cooked through, about 7-10 minutes depending on thickness. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature, then dice the chicken into 1/2-inch chunks.
- Cook and chop bacon: In the same or separate pan, sauté the bacon strips until they are crispy and browned. Drain on paper towels to remove excess grease, then chop the bacon into small pieces.
- Prepare fresh ingredients: Finely chop the green onions or chives. Cut the baby tomatoes in halves or quarters depending on their size to make bite-sized pieces.
- Combine and serve: In a large bowl, mix together the creamy spinach dressing, diced chicken, chopped bacon, fresh tomatoes, green onions, and croutons. Toss gently to combine all ingredients just before serving to maintain freshness and texture.
Notes
- Use fresh baby tomatoes for best flavor and texture.
- Allow the chicken to cool before dicing to keep the salad cool and maintain the creamy texture.
- Adjust lemon juice and mayonnaise quantities for preferred creaminess and tanginess.
- For a vegetarian version, omit chicken and bacon, and add toasted nuts for extra protein and crunch.
- Croutons add texture, but can be omitted for a gluten-free option.
