Strawberry and Spinach with Grilled Chicken

The bees are buzzing, the herb garden is springing back to life, and the good news is that we have a new grill! That means we are ready to make Strawberry and Spinach Salad with Grilled Chicken for dinner. Really, there isn’t a good name for this salad because the thrill is the Honey and Thyme Dressing, but the bacon, walnuts, and feta cheese are also notable players in the recipe and refuse to be ignored. So, I’m thinking that Strawberry and Spinach Salad with Grilled Chicken, Bacon, Walnuts, Feta and Fabulous Dressing is not the recipe title that will work here. Maybe it’s actually worthy of two recipes, 1^stStrawberry and Spinach Salad with Grilled Chicken, and 2^ndHoney Thyme Dressing – we can go with that for now. Strawberry and Spinach Salad with this delicious dressing has always been a great dinner party salad. One night the salad was on the menu along with grilled chicken and loaded baked potatoes.

Somehow the bacon from the potatoes ended up in the salad and the chicken was already a star player so the whole thing just came together. Now it’s a favorite dinner – minus the baked potato – you can save that for a steak. This is an easy meal to put together. The dressing only has a few ingredients and you just shake it up in a jar. Make extra and store it in the fridge. One of the best things about this recipe is that leftover grilled chicken works perfectly well. We always grill extra – it’s such a good last-minute recipe ingredient. Honestly – you don’t have to save this recipe for a spring or summer treat. Strawberries are always in the store – some better than others, but still good. It’s so easy to put together last minute for a lunch party, a picnic, or dinner for friends and family. Another plus – you are free to play with ingredients. Blue cheese is also great, the world won’t end if you don’t have bacon, and arugula would be fine for replacing spinach.  Whatever you come up with in your fridge, go ahead and make this salad very soon. You, and anyone lucky enough to enjoy your cooking skills will love it! Enjoy!

Sallie will be cooking with her Channel 5 family on Talk of the Town this Friday at 11:00. Tune in for a favorite shrimp recipe.

Strawberry and Spinach with Grilled Chicken
Ingredients

1 bag prewashed spinach

1 cup sliced strawberries (more to taste)

3 oz feta cheese crumbled

¼ to ½ cups walnut pieces

4 pieces crispy bacon

4 chicken breasts, grilled or roasted (I cut them in half and marinate in soy sauce, brown sugar and sherry for at least 30 minutes before grilling. Cool and slice into pieces.)

Optional: sliced onion

Dressing recipe follows

Directions

Line individual plates or a large serving platter with spinach leaves.

Top with strawberries, feta cheese, walnuts, and crumbled bacon.

Add chicken and serve with dressing.