Strawberry Spinach Mason Jar Salad

SERVES 4

Ingredients  

• 600g grilled or baked skinless chicken breast, chopped

• ½ cup sliced red onion

• 1 cup sliced cucumber

• 8 large strawberries, chopped

• 1 cup roasted asparagus, chopped

• 1 cup crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese

• 4 large handfuls of baby spinach

• ¼ cup sliced almonds, toasted

Citrus Poppy Seed Dressing - or opt for any of your fav dressings

• ½ cup fresh grapefruit juice

• 1 Tablespoon maple syrup

• ½ teaspoon sea salt

• ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon poppy seeds

• 1 ½ Tablespoons olive oil

Instructions 

• Prep ingredients by roasting your asparagus, grilling your chicken and chopping all the veggies.

• Make dressing by whisking together all ingredients.

• Take four wide-mouth 32 oz mason jars and layer salad ingredients. Start with 3 Tablespoons of dressing in each jar and then divide remaining salad ingredients in quarters and start layering in this order: onions, cucumbers, strawberries, asparagus, chicken, goat cheese, almonds and spinach.

• When ready to serve, shake each jar and pour into a bowl.

Notes

• Chicken: I recommend grilling apple cider vinegar chicken or making my air fryer chicken breast. 

• Spinach: If you’re not a spinach fan, feel free to use your favorite leafy green instead. spring mix or arugula would be my next choice of greens for this salad.

• Dressing: I love the citrus poppyseed dressing paired with this salad but any dressing would work if you’re in a pinch. Some options: balsamic dressing, white balsamic vinaigrette or lemon vinaigrette.

• Mix-ins: Feel free to switch up your mix-ins for this salad… I often do! Sometimes I change up the veggies based on what I have on hand. Feel free to get creative and make this salad your own.

• Grains: I love adding grains to my salad for some extra volume and nutrients. Toss in cooked quinoa, rice or farro to make this a heartier salad.

• Nuts: Not an almond fan or have a nut allergy? Any type of nut or seed will work well in this salad. For the ultimate treat try adding candied walnuts or candied pecans.

• Goat cheese: You can swap the goat cheese for a dairy-free cheese or omit to make this salad dairy-free.

• Vegetarian: If you’re vegetarian feel free to skip the chicken and use another protein source like hard boiled eggs, baked tofu, tempeh or chickpeas (try these air fryer chickpeas for some added crunch!)