Description

A make-ahead meal prep salad featuring grilled chicken, fresh strawberries, spinach, quinoa, and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. Designed to stay crisp and fresh for up to five days.

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cups fresh ripe strawberries
6 cups fresh baby spinach
2 cups cooked quinoa
2 large ripe avocados
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup high-quality balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
Garlic powder (optional, for seasoning chicken)

Instructions

Pat chicken breasts dry and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat with oil. Cook chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Rinse 1 cup dry quinoa. Combine with 2 cups water or broth in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes, then fluff and cool completely.
In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
Wash and thoroughly dry spinach. Hull and slice strawberries. Toast walnuts in a dry pan for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and cool.
Assemble containers by layering quinoa at the bottom, followed by spinach, sliced chicken, strawberries, feta cheese, and toasted walnuts.
Store the dressing in a separate container. Do not pour over salad until ready to eat to maintain crispness.

Notes

Keep dressing separate until eating to prevent soggy greens. Add avocado fresh each morning to prevent browning. Toast nuts for better flavor and crunch. Rinse quinoa thoroughly to remove bitterness.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 container (approx.
Calories: 450
Sugar: 12
Sodium: 480
Fat: 22
Saturated Fat: 5
Carbohydrates: 35
Fiber: 8
Protein: 32

Keywords: meal prep, grilled chicken salad, strawberry salad, healthy lunch, quinoa salad, balsamic vinaigrette, make-ahead lunch, high protein