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Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing, Chicken, Blue Cheese & Strawberries on a white plate with blue background

Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing, Chicken, Blue Cheese & Strawberries

This salad makes an elegant lunch or even a light dinner. I am partial to using poached chicken breasts for the added moisture they bring, but grilled chicken breasts are great, too! And if you are lucky enough to have access to low FODMAP rotisserie chicken from the store, by all means use it.

Course: Dinner & Lunch, Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Makes: 2 Servings
Calories: 519 kcal
Author: Dédé Wilson

Ingredients:

Spinach Salad:

  • 4 ounces (115 g) tender spinach leaves, washed & dried, larger stems removed, torn into bite-size pieces
  • 8 ounces (225 g) cooked chicken breast, (poached, grilled, roasted - your choice!), sliced or chopped
  • 10 medium (140 g) strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 2 ounces (55 g) blue cheese, crumbled (read labels to confirm that it is gluten-free)

Hot Bacon Dressing:

  • 4 slices thick-cut bacon; use gluten-free if following a gluten-free diet
  • Extra-virgin olive oil, if necessary
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Preparation:

  1. For the Salad: Toss together the spinach, chicken, strawberries and blue cheese in a mixing bowl; set aside.
  2. For the Dressing: Cook the bacon in a skillet until crisp; leaving the fat in the pan, drain the bacon on paper towels and set aside. You want 2 tablespoons of fat in the pan. Drain any excess away or add olive oil if necessary. Whisk the vinegar, mustard, and sugar into the hot bacon fat. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  3. While the dressing is still warm, pour it over the salad and toss well. Crumble the bacon over the salad and serve immediately.

Notes:

Tips

  • The only trick with this recipe is timing. Just read through the recipe first to familiarize yourself with the approach and it will go smoothly.
  • You may use dark meat chicken, if you like.
Nutrition Facts
Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing, Chicken, Blue Cheese & Strawberries
Amount Per Serving
Calories 519 Calories from Fat 270
% Daily Value*
Fat 30g46%
Saturated Fat 1g5%
Sodium 30mg1%
Carbohydrates 6g2%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 54g108%
Vitamin C 3mg4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.