Hello, foodie friends! This Quick & Easy Mandarin Orange Spinach Salad Recipe is here to make your taste buds happy! Beautiful in its simplicity and bold in flavor, the leafy spinach greens are a healthy choice and make a stunning presentation. This salad is a family favorite recipe, so let’s get cooking!
Mandarin Orange Spinach Salad is a delicious blend of fresh baby spinach leaves, juicy mandarin oranges, baked chicken, creamy goat cheese, crisp red onions, and toasted sliced almonds, all brought together with a tangy yet sweet dressing. This salad offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors, making it a popular choice for weeknight dinners or even a light lunch.
Why we love this recipe:
- It’s Quick: This salad is ready in a flash, perfect for when you’re hungry and don’t want to wait!
- It’s Addictive: Trust us, once you try it, you’ll want to eat it every day!
- It’s Easy: Even if you’re not a kitchen whiz, you can totally nail this recipe.
- It’s Healthy: Packed with good-for-you spinach and mandarin oranges, it’s a guilt-free treat!
If you’re loving this Mandarin Orange Spinach Salad, you’ve gotta check out our Watermelon Feta Salad or our Citrus Avocado Salad. They are super tasty and perfect for an afternoon lunch!
Jump to:
- What Ingredients Will You Need?
- Instructions
- What Are Some Good Substitutions?
- How Can You Change This Recipe Up?
- What Kitchen Equipment Is Best?
- How Should You Store This?
- What Are Some Expert Tips?
- More Recipes You'll Love ♥️
- Frequently Asked Questions
- 📖 Recipe
- Important Food Safety Tips
- 💬 Share Your Thoughts
What Ingredients Will You Need?
- Chicken Breast: Juicy grilled chicken adds protein power to this salad.
- Baby Spinach: These little leaves are like mini superheroes packed with nutrients!
- Mandarin Oranges: Sweet and tangy, these oranges are the star of the show.
- Goat Cheese: Creamy and dreamy, goat cheese adds a special touch.
- Red Onion: It’s crunchy and colorful, adding a pop to our salad.
- Toasted Sliced Almonds: Crunchy almonds make our salad extra yummy!
- Salt and Pepper: For added flavor.
Dressing
- Champaigne vinaigrette or citrus vinaigrette is recommended.
Note: Refer to the recipe card below for exact quantities.
Instructions
How to Make a Quick & Easy Mandarin Orange Spinach Salad Recipe
Step One: Prepare the Protein
To prepare the chicken, first, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Next pound the chicken flat, then add your favorite seasoning. In a cast-iron skillet on medium-high heat, sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side. Place the chicken into the oven and continue to cook for approximately 10 minutes, or until the chicken reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Finally, remove and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Step Two: Prepare Ingredients
Slice the chicken breast. Segment the mandarin oranges, crumble the goat cheese, thinly slice the red onion, and toast the sliced almonds in a tablespoon of butter.
Step Three: Toss and Serve
In a large bowl, combine the baby spinach, cooked chicken, mandarin orange segments, crumbled goat cheese, sliced red onion, and toasted sliced almonds.
Add a small amount of dressing and give it a good toss. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary. Serve immediately.
What Are Some Good Substitutions?
- Goat Cheese: Swap out goat cheese for feta or blue cheese for a different flavor.
- Almonds: Use pecans or walnuts instead of almonds.
How Can You Change This Recipe Up?
- Diet: For a vegetarian option, omit the chicken breast or substitute with grilled tofu or chickpeas.
What Kitchen Equipment Is Best?
This post shows some of our kitchen essentials. Please visit our shop if you would like to see more of our favorites. These are Amazon affiliate links and we earn commission from qualifying purchases.
- Salad bowl
- Salad tongs
- Colander
- Oil and vinegar dispensers
- Knife
- Frying pan or cast iron skillet
- Meat thermometer
- Cutting board
How Should You Store This?
Store salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator without dressing for 2-3 days. If the salad is moist from being washed, place a paper towel on top of it to draw out the moisture.
What Are Some Expert Tips?
Buy pre-washed and ready-to-eat lettuce to save time.
Toast the sliced almonds for extra flavor and crunch.
Massage the dressing into the spinach leaves to ensure every bite is well coated.
More Recipes You'll Love ♥️
Have Leftover Ingredients?
- Leftover spinach can be used up in this Grilled Peach Salad
- Use up extra mandarin oranges in this Roasted Beet and Mandarin Orange Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
In the Mood for a Similar Dish?
More chicken recipes you will love:
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, canned oranges work just fine! Just make sure to drain them first.
While it's best to dress the salad just before serving to prevent wilting, you can prepare the ingredients ahead of time and assemble them right before serving.
Yes! It is nutrient-rich with baby spinach and other ingredients. Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, it promotes overall health.
📖 Recipe
Quick & Easy Mandarin Orange Spinach Salad Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large chicken breast
- 6-9 ounces baby spinach
- 8 ounces mandarin oranges segmented
- 4 ounces goat cheese crumbled
- ⅓ small red onion thinly sliced
- ¼ cup toasted sliced almonds
- 1 tablespoon butter for toasting almonds
- 2 tablespoon olive oil for searing chicken
- salt and pepper to taste
Dressing
- Champagne vinaigrette or citrus vinaigrette
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Pound the chicken flat, then add your favorite seasoning.
- In a cast-iron skillet on medium-high heat, sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side. Place the chicken into the oven and continue to cook for approximately 10 minutes, or until the chicken reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Remove and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Slice the chicken breast. Segment the mandarin oranges, crumble the goat cheese, thinly slice the red onion, and toast the sliced almonds in a tablespoon of butter.
- In a large bowl, combine the baby spinach, cooked chicken, mandarin orange segments, crumbled goat cheese, sliced red onion, and toasted sliced almonds.
- Add a small amount of dressing and give it a good toss. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Goat Cheese: Swap out goat cheese for feta or blue cheese for a different flavor.
- Almonds: Use pecans or walnuts instead of almonds.
Nutrition
This spinach salad with mandarin oranges is a fantastic choice for a healthy and delicious meal. With its simple ingredients and easy preparation, it's perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a tasty dish without spending hours in the kitchen. Give it a try next time you're craving leafy greens!
Important Food Safety Tips
Cook chicken to a minimum internal temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Create a clean work area.
- Wash hands after touching raw meat or seafood.
- Rinse fresh produce thoroughly.
- Do not use the same cutting board or utensils on cooked food or produce, that previously touched raw meat or seafood.
- Do not leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Use oils with a high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds.
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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