This Easy 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 Asian-inspired salad is delicious on its own. For a heartier meal with a tropical twist, serve it with our Coconut Shrimp Bowl.
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This salad offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors, making it a popular choice for weeknight dinners or even a light lunch.
If you love this salad recipe, you need to check out our Citrus Avocado Salad or Fresh Citrus Salad with Orange Vinaigrette. They are super tasty and perfect for an afternoon lunch!
Why We Love This Recipe
- Ready in Minutes: This salad comes together fast, making it perfect for busy days or last-minute meals.
- Incredibly Addictive: The sweet mandarin oranges and fresh spinach create a flavor combo you’ll crave again and again. If you love fresh, citrusy salads, try our Strawberry Spinach Salad for another delicious option!
- Foolproof & Easy: No fancy skills needed—just toss everything together for a delicious, restaurant-quality salad.
- Light & Nutritious: Packed with fresh spinach, juicy oranges, and a zesty dressing, it's a refreshing and wholesome choice!
Mandarin Orange Spinach Salad Ingredients
- 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. Love this ingredient? Try our Mandarin Orange Salad Recipe.
- 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!
- Optional Toppings: Crispy won-ton strips and sesame seeds.
- Ginger Sesame Dressing: A light citrus vinaigrette would also work well.
A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Goat Cheese: Swap out goat cheese for feta or blue cheese for a different flavor.
- Almonds: Use pecans or walnuts instead of almonds.
How to Make a Quick & Easy Mandarin Orange Spinach Salad Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Protein
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Pound the chicken to an even thickness for consistent cooking. Season with salt, pepper, and your favorite spices.
Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat with a drizzle of oil. Sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
Transfer to the oven and bake for 8-12 minutes, or until a meat thermometer reads 165°F (74°C). Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Step 2: Prepare the Ingredients
Slice the cooked chicken into thin strips. Segment the mandarin oranges by peeling and removing any excess pith. Crumble the goat cheese into small, bite-sized pieces for even distribution. Thinly slice the red onion to add a subtle crunch.
Toast the sliced almonds in a pan with 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat, stirring frequently for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the baby spinach, cooked chicken, mandarin orange segments, crumbled goat cheese, sliced red onion, and toasted sliced almonds.
Step 4: Toss and Serve
Add a small amount of dressing and give it a good toss.
Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary. Serve immediately.
Expert Tips for Success
👩🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!
✔️ DO Toast the sliced almonds for extra flavor and crunch.
✔️ DO Massage the dressing into the spinach leaves to ensure every bite is well coated.
Storage
Store any leftover Mandarin Orange Spinach Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, keeping the dressing separate to prevent wilting. If your salad includes chicken, reheat it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes or in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes until warmed through.
Recipe FAQs
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.
More Light Asian-Inspired Recipes You'll Love ♥️
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📖 Recipe
Easy Mandarin Orange Spinach Salad Recipe
Equipment
- Knife
- Cast iron skillet
- Cutting board
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
Optional Toppings
- crispy won-ton strips
- sesame seeds
Dressing
- Ginger Sesame Dressing or a light 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.
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Notes
- Goat Cheese: Swap out goat cheese for feta or blue cheese for a different flavor.
- Almonds: Use pecans or walnuts instead of almonds.
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