Spinach Salad with Chicken, Strawberries, Blue Cheese and Almonds

Serves 4

by Jill Silverman Hough
from Fine Cooking
Issue 117
Last Edit Date: 5/2/2012 10:28:31 AM

This salad is a great way to celebrate strawberry season. Buy the freshest fruit you can find and rinse it just before using.

more about:

2 Tbs. plus 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 1-3/4 lb.), tenders removed
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tsp. honey
1 medium shallot, minced
6 oz. loosely packed baby spinach leaves (about 6 cups)
8 oz. strawberries, stemmed and quartered (about 1-1/2 cups)
3 oz. crumbled blue cheese (about 3/4 cup)

Heat 2 Tbs. of the oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat until shimmering hot. Pat the chicken dry and season with 2 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. pepper. Cook, turning once, until just cooked through, about 10 minutes total. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let rest, loosely covered with foil, for 5 minutes.

While the chicken cooks, toast the almonds in a dry 10-inch skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until evenly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool.

In a small bowl, whisk the remaining 1/3 cup olive oil with the vinegar, honey, shallot, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper. In a large bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries, blue cheese, and almonds and toss with enough of the dressing to coat. Arrange the salad on a platter or plates. Slice the chicken and arrange on the salad. Drizzle with some of the remaining vinaigrette, if desired, and serve.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with a hunk of warm crusty bread and a glass of rosé.

nutrition information (per serving):
Calories (kcal): 550; Fat (g): 40; Fat Calories (kcal): 360; Saturated Fat (g): 9; Protein (g): 35; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 24; Carbohydrates (g): 14; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 5; Sodium (mg): 1100; Cholesterol (mg): 90; Fiber (g): 4;

Photo: Scott Phillips

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by Rockermom, 7/12/2012This is great for a hot summer night dinner. Easy to follow recipe and very delicious. Although I found the blue cheese crumbles a little too strong for my taste. The dish itself was very tasty. I would make it again.