Citrus Chicken Salad

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Strawberries, Grilled Chicken and Spinach Salad with Citrus Dressing

Citrus Chicken Salad

According to the National Institute of Health, spinach is among the top six vegetables for iron content. It’s also one of the most important minerals and one that 9-16% of women lack in their diet, according to the Center for Disease Control.

Iron is a mineral found in every cell of the body. Iron is considered an essential mineral because it is needed to make part of blood cells.

The human body needs iron to make the oxygen-carrying proteins hemoglobin and myoglobin. Hemoglobin is found in red blood cells and myoglobin is found in muscles.

Iron also makes up part of many proteins in the body. (NIH)

The trouble is, your body can only absorb about half of the iron. This is because the iron is bound tightly to oxalic acid which makes it much harder for our bodies to absorb the iron.

But, did you know that a serving of vitamin C with the spinach helps your body take in more of the iron. Lucky for you, Florida strawberries are a wonderful source of vitamin C and a delicious addition to a spinach salad.

This recipe combines the the vitamin C of Florida strawberries with the iron in fresh spinach and the protein in a lean chicken breasts with a delicious and bright citrus dressing. What more could you ask for?

Florida Strawberries, Grilled Chicken and Spinach Salad with Citrus Dressing

Citrus Dressing:

  • 2/3 c. olive oil
  • 2 tbsp. orange juice
  • 3 tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 1/2 tsp. grated orange peel
  • 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp. soy sauce
  • 1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper

Salad:

  • 1 pint of fresh Florida strawberries
  • 1 (6 oz.) package of bagged baby spinach
  • 2 boneless chicken breasts

For citrus dressing, simply combine all ingredients in a blender and set aside.

Bring strawberries to room temperature. Wash, drain and remove caps. Slice strawberries and toss with spinach in a large bowl.

Grill chicken breasts until cooked through on both sides. Let chicken rest for ten minutes before adding to spinach and strawberries.

Pulse citrus dressing in blender to ensure the dressing is well mixed. Toss chicken with strawberries and spinach while drizzling with citrus dressing.

Makes four servings

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A_Kiasi
A_Kiasi
12 years ago

Hi Sue,

I love this recipe and I like that you are highlighting and promoting Florida strawberries on your blog. Florida strawberries are the best! Since I’m a pescetarian/vegetarian, I’m going to try this recipe with tofu. I’ll let you know how it turns out. Thanks for sharing. strawberrysue

A_Kiasi
A_Kiasi
12 years ago

Hi Sue,

I love this recipe and I like that you are highlighting and promoting Florida strawberries on your blog. Florida strawberries are the best! Since I’m a pescetarian/vegetarian, I’m going to try this recipe with tofu. I’ll let you know how it turns out. Thanks for sharing. strawberrysue

A_Kiasi
A_Kiasi
12 years ago

Hi Sue,

I love this recipe and I like that you are highlighting and promoting Florida strawberries on your blog. Florida strawberries are the best! Since I’m a pescetarian/vegetarian, I’m going to try this recipe with tofu. I’ll let you know how it turns out. Thanks for sharing. strawberrysue

A_Kiasi
A_Kiasi
12 years ago

Hi Sue,

I love this recipe and I like that you are highlighting and promoting Florida strawberries on your blog. Florida strawberries are the best! Since I’m a pescetarian/vegetarian, I’m going to try this recipe with tofu. I’ll let you know how it turns out. Thanks for sharing. strawberrysue

A_Kiasi
A_Kiasi
12 years ago

Hi Sue,

I love this recipe and I like that you are highlighting and promoting Florida strawberries on your blog. Florida strawberries are the best! Since I’m a pescetarian/vegetarian, I’m going to try this recipe with tofu. I’ll let you know how it turns out. Thanks for sharing. strawberrysue

A_Kiasi
A_Kiasi
12 years ago

Hi Sue,

I love this recipe and I like that you are highlighting and promoting Florida strawberries on your blog. Florida strawberries are the best! Since I’m a pescetarian/vegetarian, I’m going to try this recipe with tofu. I’ll let you know how it turns out. Thanks for sharing. strawberrysue

A_Kiasi
A_Kiasi
12 years ago

Hi Sue,

I love this recipe and I like that you are highlighting and promoting Florida strawberries on your blog. Florida strawberries are the best! Since I’m a pescetarian/vegetarian, I’m going to try this recipe with tofu. I’ll let you know how it turns out. Thanks for sharing. strawberrysue

A_Kiasi
A_Kiasi
12 years ago

Hi Sue,

I love this recipe and I like that you are highlighting and promoting Florida strawberries on your blog. Florida strawberries are the best! Since I’m a pescetarian/vegetarian, I’m going to try this recipe with tofu. I’ll let you know how it turns out. Thanks for sharing. strawberrysue

A_Kiasi
A_Kiasi
12 years ago

Hi Sue,

I love this recipe and I like that you are highlighting and promoting Florida strawberries on your blog. Florida strawberries are the best! Since I’m a pescetarian/vegetarian, I’m going to try this recipe with tofu. I’ll let you know how it turns out. Thanks for sharing. strawberrysue

flstrawberrysue
12 years ago

@debi56 That’s what we like to hear!

debi56
debi56
12 years ago

again i have to say i absolutely love this grilled chicken and spinich salad with citrus dressing , i eat it 2-3 times a week! i’m moving to florida in 3 weeks and was wondering if you had anymore recipes like this that i can enjoy when the weather gets really hot and will pack easy for lunch at work?

debi56
debi56
12 years ago

again i have to say i absolutely love this grilled chicken and spinich salad with citrus dressing , i eat it 2-3 times a week! i’m moving to florida in 3 weeks and was wondering if you had anymore recipes like this that i can enjoy when the weather gets really hot and will pack easy for lunch at work?

gfreemaui
gfreemaui
11 years ago

@flstrawberrysue @stephanieodea Dessert: frozen banana slices and strawberries in your food processor. Soft serve! Delicious and healthy.

catering Fort Lauderdale

A month ago, my
roommate and I have decided to go healthy with our meals. I am really happy we
did because I do not only feel and look healthier but I also had the chance to
taste a lot of different stuffs. I bet this salad is something worth trying
since I have not tasted one with strawberries! Thank you for this wonderful
recipe!

Fruit Day
Fruit Day
10 years ago

wow love 🙂

Florida Strawberry Growers Association
Florida Strawberry Growers Association
10 years ago

Thanks!

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