Skip the protein shake. This chicken spinach salad packs serious post-workout protein into a bowl that actually tastes incredible. Juicy chicken thighs, crispy bacon, and crisp greens make it filling enough to crush hunger and satisfying enough to become your go-to recovery meal.
Protein rich Chicken Salad with Spinach and Arugula is the kind of nourishing salad that is infinitely adaptable and is always welcome on the table, no matter the day or season.
Made with juicy chicken thighs, it's my go-to salad when I am heading to or from the gym or trying to keep myself full through my workday.
What really makes this salad great, though, is how interchangeable the ingredients are. Swap arugula for romaine lettuce or baby kale and use chicken breasts or even shrimp instead of chicken thighs!
How to Make Honey Dijon Mustard Salad Dressing
The base of this nourishing chicken salad dressing is honey and Dijon mustard! And I use apple cider vinegar to cut through the sweetness of honey. However, you can omit apple cider vinegar, if you wish. Just take my word for it (or try it for yourself) - the vinegar definitely helps to balance off the sweetness of honey.
While the chicken rests off of the heat, combine honey, dijon mustard, garlic, a little bit of apple cider vinegar (optional) and sea salt. Mix everything, then divide the dressing into two parts. We will use half of the dressing to marinate the chicken, and the remaining half to add to the salad.
How to Cook Juicy Chicken
I love to cook the chicken thighs on the stovetop - hello, easy chicken! If you'd prefer to bake your chicken, you can still take advantage of some of the suggestions presented here.
I am sharing my method below:
- Marinate the chicken half an hour before cooking. This way, the honey mustard marinade has a chance to improve the flavor and texture of the chicken. This is especially true if using chicken breasts. They are pretty lean, so marinating before cooking is essential for making the most flavorful chicken.
- Sear on one side, then flip. First, patiently sear one side of the chicken thighs for about 4 minutes until browned then flip them, and turn down the heat to medium.
- The second side will slowly turn golden brown, and the reduced heat from the pan will gently cook the middle. This ensures juicy chicken and nice browning!
What Does Marinating Do to Chicken
- Marinade prevents the chicken (especially chicken breasts) from drying out and making it chewy. It also helps in tenderizing the chicken and makes it juicier.
- Marinating even for half an hour helps reduce the time of cooking.
Equipment You Will Need for this Nutritious Chicken Salad
- Small bowl to combine dressing ingredients. You can use a small measuring cup as well.
- Whisk or fork to mix the dressing.
- Plate or baking dish to marinate the chicken.
- Skillet to sear the chicken in. I recommend using non-stick, stainless steel, or cast iron skillet.
- Measuring spoons. We want to be able to come up with the same flavor and texture each and every time!
What Kind of Skillet to Use
I recommend using a good quality LARGE stainless steel pan, such as this 12 inch pan that comes with a lid. Or, you can also pan sear chicken in a large non stick skillet, such as this 12 inch ceramic pan.
Both hold heat incredibly well and are easy to cook with. I cooked most of the recipes on this site with one of these two skillets.
How to Assemble the Salad
While the chicken rests off of the heat, combine spinach, arugula, cherry tomatoes, onion, avocado and corn kernels in a large bowl. Add a bit of water to the remaining salad dressing and drizzle it over. Now add sliced chicken and sprinkle with bacon. Enjoy!
Honey Mustard Chicken Salad with Spinach and Arugula
CLICK on STARS to REVIEW the RECIPE, then CLICK OK
Equipment
- Skillet
- Small and large bowls
- Measuring spoons
- Whisk
Ingredients
Dressing
- ⅓ cup honey
- 3 tablespoon whole grain mustard
- 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic (minced)
- sea salt
Salad
- 4 chicken thighs (boneless and skinless, or chicken breasts)
- ¼ cup bacon
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 2 cups arugula
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (sliced)
- 1 avocado (sliced)
- ¼ cup corn kernels
- ¼ red onion (sliced)
- 2 tablespoon water (to thin salad dressing)
Instructions
- Combine the dressing ingredients in the bowl. Pour half the dressing into a plate to marinate the chicken for at least half an hour (if possible, you can cook them right away as well). Refrigerate the remaining dresing to use on a salad.
- Pat chickens dry with a paper towel. Heat a large pan over medium heat with about a teaspoon of oil and sear chicken thighs on each side until golden and cooked through. Set aside on a plate (or cutting boad) to cool. Once cooled, slice chicken into strips.
- Add bacon to the same pan and cook it until crispy. Once cooked, chop it.
- Add spinach, arugula, tomatoes, avocado slices, corn, onion strips and chicken to a large bowl. Whisk 2 tablespoons of water into the remaining dressing and drizzle over the salad. Sprinkle the bacon over the top and season with a little extra salt and cracked pepper.
Video
Storage Instructions
I recommend refrigerating in an airtight container and it will last about a week in the refrigerator. I like to refresh the flavor with a little salt and pepper, and an extra scoop of Dijon mustard.
Optional Substitutions and Add-ins
- As some of us do not enjoy pungent onions, we can always use green onions instead, or omit them altogether.
- You can add a variety of nuts to this chicken salad recipe. I would go with walnuts and cashews.
- Top the chicken salad with chia seed sprouts, pan-seared shrimp, fresh peach slices, more pan seared chicken, or add steak for more protein!
- And don't forget to add crumbled goat cheese or lovely feta!
Dayne Conn says
I absolutely love this recipe. It’s so good, yet healthy.
Olya says
Yes!!! Thank you Dayne.
Karina says
super delish. Not sure why I haven't come across this recipe before!
Olya says
Thank you Karina!