Spinach Blueberry Salad Recipe
Introduction
This Spinach Blueberry Salad is a fresh and vibrant dish that perfectly balances sweet and savory flavors. Packed with nutritious ingredients, it’s a quick and easy option for a light lunch or a colorful side salad.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces baby spinach
- ½ pint blueberries, rinsed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds, salted
- 1 shallot, finely diced (about ⅓ cup)
- 2 chicken breasts, cooked and sliced (rotisserie chicken works well)
- Poppyseed dressing, to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, add the fresh baby spinach as the base of your salad.
- Step 2: Add the blueberries, halved cherry tomatoes, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and finely diced shallot to the spinach.
- Step 3: Arrange the cooked and sliced chicken breasts on top of the salad, either spread out or in sections.
- Step 4: Drizzle poppyseed dressing over the salad. Start with a small amount, then toss gently and add more if desired to suit your taste.
- Step 5: Toss the salad just before serving to evenly distribute ingredients and dressing.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crunch, you can toast the sunflower seeds lightly before adding them.
- Try substituting the chicken with grilled shrimp or tofu for a vegetarian option.
- If poppyseed dressing isn’t available, a honey mustard or balsamic vinaigrette pairs nicely too.
- Adding crumbled feta or goat cheese can enhance the salad’s creaminess and flavor.
Storage
Store the salad components separately to keep spinach crisp—refrigerate chicken, fruit, and dressing in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Assemble and toss just before serving to maintain freshness. Leftovers can be reheated separately if desired, but the salad is best enjoyed fresh.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I prepare this salad ahead of time?
Yes, but it’s best to keep the ingredients separate and combine them just before serving to prevent the spinach from wilting and the dressing from making the salad soggy.
What can I substitute for poppyseed dressing?
If you don’t have poppyseed dressing, try honey mustard, balsamic vinaigrette, or a simple lemon olive oil dressing for a delicious alternative.
PrintSpinach Blueberry Salad Recipe
A vibrant and nutritious Spinach Blueberry Salad featuring fresh baby spinach, sweet blueberries, cherry tomatoes, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, shallots, and tender sliced chicken breast, all tossed with a tangy poppyseed dressing. This salad is perfect for a light lunch or dinner, combining fresh fruits, vegetables, and protein for a balanced, delicious meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 8 ounces baby spinach
- ½ pint blueberries, rinsed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds (preferably salted)
- 1 shallot, finely diced (about ⅓ cup)
- 2 chicken breasts, cooked and sliced (rotisserie chicken recommended)
Dressing
- Poppyseed dressing, as much or as little as desired
Instructions
- Prepare the spinach: In a large bowl, add the fresh baby spinach as the base of your salad.
- Add the fruits and vegetables: To the spinach, add the rinsed blueberries, halved cherry tomatoes, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and finely diced shallot. Distribute each ingredient evenly.
- Top with chicken: Place the sliced cooked chicken breasts on top of the salad. You can arrange the ingredients in sections before tossing, for an appealing presentation.
- Dress the salad: Pour poppyseed dressing over the salad starting with a small amount. You can always add more dressing to suit your taste.
- Toss and serve: Gently toss the salad to combine all ingredients and dressing evenly. Serve immediately for the freshest flavor.
Notes
- Using rotisserie chicken saves time, but you can grill or pan-cook chicken breasts as desired.
- Salted sunflower seeds add a nice crunch and seasoning; adjust salt in the dressing accordingly.
- Feel free to substitute poppyseed dressing with your favorite vinaigrette or creamy dressing for variation.
- This salad is best consumed fresh but can be prepped ahead by keeping dressing separate and adding just before serving.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and add chickpeas or tofu for protein.
Keywords: Spinach salad, Blueberry salad, Healthy salad, Chicken salad, Poppyseed dressing, Summer salad
