Cranberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Chicken and Orange Poppy Seed Dressing
Try this Cranberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Chicken and Orange Poppy Seed Dressing recipe, or contribute your own.
Try this Cranberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Chicken and Orange Poppy Seed Dressing recipe, or contribute your own.
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 1 tbsp poppy seeds
- 2 tsp orange zest
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tsp dijon mustard (i like emeril's)
- 1 lb chicken grilled
- 9 oz baby spinach
- 2 medium avocados cored and diced
- 1 cup crumbled feta
- 3/4 cup sliced almonds toasted
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- Carbohydrate 99.0222192134828 g
- Cholesterol 133.5 mg
- Fat 142.957834999153 g
- Fiber 19.7348304835647 g
- Protein 46.1985814159587 g
- Saturated Fat 31.7470031359482 g
- Serving Size 1 1 recipe (1151g)
- Sodium 1881.8781092466 mg
- Sugar 79.2873887299181 g
- Trans Fat 5.55893447750098 g
- Calories 1777 calories
Step-by-step
- Add olive oil, canola oil, orange zest, orange juice, lemon juice, honey, dijon mustard and salt to a blender.
- Pulse until well emulsified.
- Pour into a jar and stir in poppy seeds.
- Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Add all salad ingredients to a large bowl.
- Pour dressing over top and toss to evenly coat.
- Serve immediately.
Many home cooks overcook chicken breast by relying solely on arbitrary kitchen timers rather than paying attention to internal texture and structural resistance. Achieving an ideal balance between tender meat and crisp greens requires careful timing and efficient kitchen sequencing. Preparing the dressing components ahead allows the flavors to meld while the poultry cooks. Whisking mustard thoroughly with citrus juices creates a stable emulsion before slowly streaming in the oils. Toasting almonds on a dry skillet over medium heat for precisely four minutes releases aromatic oils without burning the surface. Slicing avocados at the final moment prevents enzymatic browning and preserves vibrant green color across the bowl. Feta cheese should remain chilled until assembly to maintain distinct crumbles rather than melting into a paste.
- Test chicken doneness by making a small incision in the thickest part; juices must run completely clear rather than pink.
- Toast sliced almonds for 3 to 5 minutes, shaking the pan continuously to prevent scorching.
- Emulsify the dressing vigorously in a blender to ensure the oil droplets remain suspended in the citrus juice.
- Add fresh lemon juice and orange zest just before blending to maximize volatile aromatic compounds.
- Store leftover dressing in a sealed glass jar for up to four days in the refrigerator.
Proper sequencing ensures leafy greens remain crisp when combined with heavy protein and fruit elements. Careful attention to visual and textural cues yields reliable results across every preparation.
