Recipe

Warm Spinach, Navy Bean and Grilled Chicken Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 20 min
Serves: 4

Balsamic vinegar is present both in this recipe’s marinade and in its dressing, resulting in deliciously sweet-tart flavour. This healthy, veggie-loaded salad will have your mouth watering. It’s a perfect light supper on an early fall day.

Ingredients

Warm Spinach, Navy Bean and Grilled Chicken Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast(s)
4 tbsp (60 mL) balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp (30 mL) Dijon mustard
3 cups (750 mL) baby spinach, rinsed and patted dry
1 can navy beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup (125 mL) walnuts
1 red onion(s), medium, thinly sliced
1/2 yellow pepper(s), thinly sliced

Vinaigrette:

2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp (30 mL) balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp (30 mL) maple syrup
4 tbsp (60 mL) lemon juice, fresh
1 tsp (5 mL) sea salt
1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) cayenne pepper
1/4 cup (60 mL) olive oil

Instructions

Warm Spinach, Navy Bean and Grilled Chicken Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

1 Mix balsamic vinegar and Dijon mustard together in a re-sealable plastic bag. Add chicken. Close bag and turn until the chicken is completely coated with marinade.
2 Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
3 Preheat grill to medium-high.
4 Grill chicken with the lid closed for 10 minutes per side or until juices run clear when pierced with a knife and the internal temperature of each piece is 165°F (74°C). Remove from heat and cool slightly.
5 Slice into thin strips.
6 Divide spinach between 4 large dinner plates and top each with mixed beans, walnuts, onion and yellow pepper.
7 Add chicken slices and drizzle with dressing. Serve immediately.

Vinaigrette

1 Combine the first 6 dressing ingredients.
2 Whisk in oil until well blended.