Chicken Spinach Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

Chicken Spinach Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette is a delicious and healthy lunch or dinner!  It’s also really easy to make.  My mom has been serving us this delicious vinaigrette for a long time, and I finally asked her for the recipe.  If you’re intimidated by the thought of making your own salad dressing,don’t worry!  You just combine the ingredients in a salad dressing shaker, shake, and serve. The citrus vinaigrette works nicely with the orange slices to give the salad a crisp, perky flavor.

If I’m trying to turn my salad into a meal I make sure to incorporate a few key ingredients.  Meals need to be filling, so it’s important to include some proteins and fats.  In this salad the avocado, pistachios, and chicken provide the protein.  Did you know that avocados are high in protein?  Along with the pistachios and oil in the dressing, avocados also provide this salad with healthy fats.  Check out this article for more information on why avocados are a super healthy food!

I recommend eating at least one salad everyday (preferably more).  If you’re like me, you may need some inspiration to keep it interesting! Trying out various dressings is one way to be inspired.  I just ordered the book, “Vinaigrettes & Other Dressings: 60 Sensational recipes to Liven Up Greens, Grains, Slaws, and Every Kind of Salad” from Amazon, and I’m excited to play around with the recipes!  If you have a salad dressing shaker it is very easy to make your own dressing.

Before we get to the recipe for the salad, I want to invite you to join with others who are making healthy changes.  I’d love to walk alongside you in your journey towards wholeness and health! Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full!”  Freedom from food addictions is part of having a truly full life.  

Serves 1

For the Salad: 

• 3/4 Cup Cooked Chicken Chunks
• 1/2 Cup of Avocado Chunks
• 1 Tbsp Roasted Pistachios (salted or unsalted)
• 2 Cups Spinach
• 1/2 Cup Orange Chunks
• Citrus Vinaigrette to Taste

Toss and serve!

For the Citrus Vinaigrette:

• 2 Tbsp Orange Vinegar or White Wine Vinegar
• 1 Tbsp Citrus Juice (orange, lemon, or lime is best)
• 1 Tsp Sea Salt
• 1/4 Tsp Pepper
• 1 Tsp Dijon Mustard
• 1 Clove Garlic, Crushed
• 1/2 Cup Walnut Oil (you may use a different oil, but I chose walnut, because I like the flavor and it provides you with anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids)

Combine all of the ingredients in your salad dressing shaker and shake well.  Enjoy!