Craving a taste of sunshine?
This strawberry spinach salad delivers a burst of summer flavors with every bite.
The sweet strawberries, crisp spinach, and tangy strawberry balsamic dressing create a symphony of tastes you won't want to miss.
Why This Salad Works
I seriously love this recipe because it's a total flavor bomb! We're talking juicy chicken—not cardboard—thanks to a quick sear and an oven finish. It's seriously quick!
Now, listen up; you're gonna love how easy it is to prep. I mean, twenty-five minutes from start to finish? That's faster than ordering takeout—and way tastier, trust me. Even better, you can say you cooked a proper meal, even if it barely feels like it!
Plus, stuffing the chicken makes it cook faster. I love that, and you will too! Instead of just roasting the breast whole, the goodies inside help cook the chicken from the inside out! The chicken breast is stuffed, similar to what you'd find in a sun-dried tomato, spinach, and cheese stuffed chicken breast recipe.
Okay, so, you know how chicken can sometimes be a bit dry? Not this time. The sun-dried tomatoes and cheese do an amazing job of keeping the chicken super moist and flavorful. Yum!
Key Ingredients
Let's explore into what makes this chicken sing—the key ingredients that'll turn it into a dinner superstar! We're talkin' about chicken breasts, of course – aim for about 6 ounces each.
Then, we've got sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil. Grab about 1/2 cup, enough to generously stuff those chicken pockets and infuse them with summery vibes. Next up: cheese! Four slices mozzarella, or any melting cheese—it's gonna get gooey and awesome.
Don't forget the spinach! Just a handful of fresh leaves—because who doesn't love a pop of green? This recipe, like the chicken kale salad, highlights the importance of fresh ingredients for optimal flavor and health. A little olive oil, about 2 tsp, helps everything sizzle and brown beautifully.
Now, for the Italian dressing—this is where things get zesty. It's got 1 tbsp Dijon mustard; 1 tbsp white wine vinegar (or lemon juice, if you're feeling fancy); 1/2 tsp sugar to balance the tang; 2 tsp olive oil; 1/2 tsp each of Italian mixed herbs and red pepper flakes!
Steps to Prepare
Alright, let's look into the steps to prepare this delicious dish—it's simpler than you might think! First, I'm gonna whisk together the Italian dressing ingredients in a bowl. It's gonna be thicker than your usual salad dressing; remember that!
Next, I'll carefully cut a pocket into each chicken breast, but be careful not to cut all the way through – we don't want any escapees! After that, I coat the chicken *inside* and out with that flavorful Italian dressing.
Now, place the chicken on your workstation and stuff it with sun-dried tomatoes, cheese, and spinach leaves. Don't be shy, pack it in! Then seal 'er up with toothpicks – like little chicken zippers.
Heat oil in an oven-proof skillet and cook the chicken for 1 1/2 minutes on each side until I see golden perfection. Transfer it to the oven and cook for 15 minutes till the cheese is melted and bubbly and the chicken is cooked through. Let it rest for 3 minutes.
Tips for Success
Cooking this dish is easy, but there are a few tricks I've picked up that can really take it to the next level!
First, don't overstuff the chicken breasts – I know it's tempting, but trust me, you don't want spinach exploding everywhere! A generous handful should do the trick.
Make sure you really coat the chicken, inside and out, with the Italian dressing. That's where all the flavor lives! It helps keep the chicken juicy too.
When you sear the chicken in the skillet, get it nice and golden brown. Don't rush it – a minute and a half on each side is key.
Finally, don't forget to remove those toothpicks before digging in. Nobody wants a surprise toothpick filling! After roasting, they are not needed!
Short Recipe Version
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Serves: 4
Strawberry Balsamic Dressing Ingredients:
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons strawberry preserves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Whisk together balsamic vinegar, strawberry preserves, olive oil, and black pepper.
- Drizzle over salad.
Estimated Nutrition Information (per serving):
- Calories: 75
- Fat: 5g
- Sugar: 8g