Diane'S Chicken Spinach Salad
A vibrant chicken spinach salad featuring tender chicken, crisp vegetables, sweet grapes, and a tangy dressing, perfect for a light, flavorful meal or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
- 5 1/2 c. cooked chicken breast, cubed ⓘ
- 5 stalks chopped celery ⓘ
- 7 oz. cooked corkscrew pasta ⓘ
- 2 c. green grapes, halved ⓘ
- 2 1/2 c. spinach, packed ⓘ
- 4 chopped green onions ⓘ
- 1 jar marinated artichoke hearts ⓘ
- 1 large cucumber, sliced ⓘ
- 3/4 c. olive oil
- 1/4 c. white wine vinegar ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. dried onions ⓘ
- 1/4 c. sugar ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley ⓘ
Instructions
- Mix the cooked chicken, chopped celery, cooked corkscrew pasta, halved green grapes, spinach, chopped green onions, marinated artichoke hearts, and sliced cucumber together in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, combine olive oil, white wine vinegar, dried onions, sugar, and chopped fresh parsley.
- Blend the dressing well until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
- Toss the salad with the dressing until evenly coated.
- Serve immediately or chill before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter dressing, consider using Greek yogurt mixed with lemon juice instead of the olive oil and vinegar. You can also substitute the chicken with rotisserie chicken for added convenience. If you want to add more crunch, try tossing in some chopped walnuts or sunflower seeds. Fresh herbs like basil or cilantro can elevate the flavor profile nicely.
Serving Suggestions
This salad is best served chilled and makes a fantastic main dish for lunch or a light dinner. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a side of fruit for a refreshing contrast. For a more substantial meal, consider serving alongside roasted vegetables or a quinoa salad for added texture and flavor.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The salad may become soggy over time, so consider keeping the dressing separate until serving. To reheat any warm components, like the chicken or pasta, use a microwave in short intervals to avoid overcooking.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Diane'S Chicken Spinach Salad contains roughly 914 calories, with 15g protein, 50g carbohydrates, and 77g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (104% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (77% of the Daily Value), and iron (61% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1188mg per serving (52% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the salad a few hours in advance. However, to maintain freshness, it's best to keep the dressing separate until just before serving. This will help prevent the greens from wilting and the pasta from absorbing too much dressing.
What can I substitute for the corkscrew pasta?
If you don't have corkscrew pasta on hand, you can easily swap it for any small pasta shape like penne, fusilli, or even whole grain options. For a gluten-free version, consider using chickpea or quinoa pasta to maintain a similar texture.
Is this salad suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! This chicken spinach salad is perfect for meal prep. Just portion it out in individual containers and store in the refrigerator. To keep it fresh over several days, store the dressing separately and add it right before eating.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).