Hearty & Delicious Chicken and Spinach Salad Recipe is a Spectacular Summer Lunch
Salad is, of course, a healthy lunch. and it’s one of my go-to’s. But sometimes, in addition to all the great nutrition it provides, you want a salad that tastes incredible, is super satisfying and leaves you feeling happy and full. I’m delighted to report that this chicken and spinach salad recipe is all that and more. The great thing about this salad is that it’s not just about the veggies. This tasty toss features grilled chicken, orzo and shaved Parmesan combined with spinach and tomatoes. The smokiness of the grilled chicken is so good, and the orzo gives the salad some real staying power. For delicious flavor, we serve this salad with a tangy pesto sauce. Yum!
This recipe is easy to make, too. Just cook the orzo, grill the chicken, toss all the ingredients together and your lunch is done. All that’s left to do is enjoy it!
Yields
Total Time
Prep Time
Cook Time
Ingredients
- ½ cup orzo
- 1 lb. chicken tenders
- 1 Tbs. olive oil
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- 6 cups baby spinach, 3 oz.
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup basil pesto sauce
- Shaved Parmesan (optional)
Instructions
In pot of salted boiling water, cook orzo according to package directions for al dente; drain, rinsing under cold water 1 min. Drain well.
Prepare grill for medium high direct-heat cooking. In large bowl, toss chicken with olive oil, salt and pepper until evenly coated.
Grill chicken, flipping once, until no longer pink in thickest part, 5-6 min. per side. When cool enough to handle, tear in thirds. Place spinach, orzo, chicken and tomatoes on serving platter. Transfer pesto sauce to small serving bowl and serve with salad. If desired, top salad with shaved Parmesan.
Nutrition
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 23 gram
- Saturated Fat: 4 gram
- Protein: 35 gram
- Carbohydrate: 28 gram
- Fiber: 3 gram
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
- Sugar: 2 gram
- Sodium: 580 mg
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This story was originally published June 13, 2025 at 11:30 AM.