Stir-Fried Chicken Salad
A vibrant stir-fried chicken salad featuring tender marinated chicken, fresh spinach, cherry tomatoes, and crunchy vegetables, perfect for a light, flavorful meal or lunch.
Ingredients
- 9 oz. boneless, skinless chicken breast halves ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. white wine vinegar ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. olive or cooking oil
- 2 tsp. Dijon style mustard ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. sugar ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/8 tsp. paprika
- 1/8 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 4 c. torn fresh spinach ⓘ
- 10 cherry tomatoes, halved ⓘ
- 1/2 c. shredded carrots
- 1/2 c. sliced water chestnuts
- 1/4 c. sliced radishes ⓘ
- nonstick spray coating ⓘ
Instructions
- Place chicken in a plastic bag set in a deep bowl.
- In a small bowl, stir together vinegar, oil, mustard, sugar, salt, paprika, and pepper; pour over chicken.
- Close the bag securely.
- Marinate chicken in the refrigerator for 2 to 5 hours, turning the bag frequently.
Tips & Substitutions
For extra flavor, consider adding minced garlic or finely chopped fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley to the marinade. If you don't have white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar works well as a substitute. Ensure the chicken is evenly coated by massaging the marinade into the bag. For a different texture, you might also incorporate nuts such as sliced almonds or walnuts which can enhance the crunch in the salad.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the stir-fried chicken salad on a bed of fresh spinach with a side of whole grain bread or pita for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders if you're looking to serve multiple dishes. Drizzle with extra vinaigrette for added flavor, and consider adding avocado slices for creaminess and healthy fats.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover stir-fried chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm the chicken gently in a skillet over low heat until heated through, being careful not to overcook. Alternatively, enjoy it cold as a refreshing salad, which also allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Stir-Fried Chicken Salad contains roughly 1048 calories, with 31g protein, 227g carbohydrates, and 8g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (333% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (234% of the Daily Value), and potassium (106% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% 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
How can I make this salad more filling?
To make the salad more filling, consider adding cooked quinoa or chickpeas for additional protein and fiber. You could also incorporate grains like farro or brown rice. This transforms the salad into a hearty meal, perfect for lunch or dinner.
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).