Craving a meal that's both incredibly delicious and surprisingly easy to whip up? Look no further than this mouthwatering Chicken Spinach Salad with Bacon! In just 25 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-quality dish that perfectly balances crispy bacon, tender chicken, fresh spinach, and a tantalizing balsamic vinaigrette. Whether you're looking for a quick lunch, a light dinner, or an impressive side dish that will have everyone asking for seconds, this recipe is your ultimate culinary solution.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup cooked chicken, sliced
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup blue cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the bacon by cooking in a skillet over medium heat until crisp and golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Remove bacon, drain on paper towels, and crumble once cooled.
- If using raw chicken, season with salt and pepper, then cook in the same skillet with bacon drippings until internal temperature reaches 165°F, approximately 6-8 minutes. Let chicken cool slightly, then slice into thin strips.
- Thoroughly wash fresh spinach leaves and pat dry using a clean kitchen towel or salad spinner to remove excess moisture.
- Slice cherry tomatoes in half and thinly slice red onion using a sharp knife.
- In a large salad bowl, spread the fresh spinach as the base layer.
- Arrange sliced chicken, crumbled bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, and red onion slices evenly over the spinach.
- Sprinkle crumbled blue cheese over the salad for added flavor.
- Drizzle balsamic vinaigrette evenly across the salad just before serving.
- Gently toss the salad to ensure all ingredients are well combined and coated with dressing.
- Season with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately while ingredients are still fresh and crisp.
Tips
- For maximum flavor, cook bacon in the same skillet you'll use for chicken to capture those delicious drippings and enhance the overall taste profile.
- Ensure your chicken is thoroughly cooked by using a meat thermometer to check it reaches 165°F internally.
- Pat your spinach leaves completely dry to prevent a watery salad and help the dressing cling better to the ingredients.
- For extra crunch, consider toasting some pine nuts or sliced almonds to sprinkle on top.
- Prep ingredients in advance and keep them separately refrigerated for a quick assembly when you're ready to eat.
- Use high-quality balsamic vinaigrette or make your own for a more personalized touch.
- Serve immediately after dressing to maintain the salad's crisp texture and prevent wilting.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 65mg
