Strawberry Arugula Salad with Chicken, Goat Cheese, Almonds, and Creamy Strawberry Lemon Vinaigrette

Bursting with nourishing springtime ingredients, this Strawberry Arugula Salad with Chicken, Goat Cheese, Almonds, and Creamy Strawberry Lemon Vinaigrette {Gluten-free, Low Carb, Low FODMAP, Paleo & Vegetarian/Vegan options} is super easy to make, and will satisfy all your salad cravings!

P.S. In honor of my Happy Belly, Healthy Life series for IBS Awareness Month, it’s low FODMAP, and chock-full- of delicious belly friendly ingredients too!

How’s your spring going so far???

Mine’s off to a fabulous start. Thank you very much!

To tell the truth though, I’ve been slacking a little bit lately in the kitchen experimentation department these past few weeks, and enjoying the gorgeous weather we’ve been having instead, both at home…

A simply gorgeous spring day at The La Jolla Cove Childrens’ Pool in San Diego.

And on Spring Break with my family in Palm Springs…

The Palm Canyon Trail is a “must do” hike in Palm Springs, especially on a gorgeous {not too hot!} spring day!

And, even better yet, I recently got to hang out with two of my all-time favorite dietitian food bloggers, who just happened to come to San Diego for their own Spring Break, Rebecca from Chow and Chatter, and Min from The Adventures of MJ and Hungryman. Love these fabulous ladies!!

I think this break from experimenting in the kitchen was just what I needed to get the creative juices flowing again.

That, and strawberry season, of course! Mmm….

This Strawberry Arugula Salad with Chicken, Goat Cheese, Almonds, and Creamy Strawberry Lemon Vinaigrette will satisfy all your strawberry cravings, plus it’s super easy to make, and, with options galore, sure to please everyone. Promise.

Take a look at the recipe below, then I’ll share some ingredient options with you, and I’d love it if you share your favorite salad creations with me!

5 from 1 vote

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Strawberry Arugula Salad with Chicken, Goat Cheese, Almonds, and Strawberry Lemon Vinaigrette

Bursting with nourishing springtime ingredients, this Strawberry Arugula Salad with Chicken, Goat Cheese, Almonds, and Creamy Strawberry Lemon Vinaigrette is super easy to make, and will satisfy all your salad cravings.

Course Entree, Salad

Cuisine Gluten Free, Low Carb, Low FODMAP, Mediterranean

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Servings 2 servings

Calories 400 kcal

Author EA Stewart | The Spicy RD

Ingredients

Creamy Strawberry Lemon Vinaigrette

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
• 5 whole strawberries stems/tops removed
• 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper to tasteSalad
• 6 cups baby arugula {aka rocket} or other salad greens
• 2 cups whole fresh strawberries stems/tops removed and sliced
• 8 ounces cooked chicken breast sliced
• 2 ounces fresh goat cheese crumbled
• 3 tablespoons slivered almonds
• 1 cup micro greens optional for garnish

Instructions

1. Prepare the salad dressing by combining the olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, strawberries, salt and pepper in a blender, and blend on high until smooth. Set aside, or store in refrigerator until ready to use.
2. To assembles the salads, place 3 cups each of arugula or other salad greens on two plates. Divide remaining ingredients in half and top greens with sliced strawberries, sliced chicken breast, goat cheese, and slivered almonds. Drizzle salad dressing evenly over each plate, and top each salad with 1/2 cup {optional} micro greens. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

Cook/Prep time assumes you already have pre-cooked chicken breast or a rotisserie chicken. Total time will be longer if you don't already have precooked chicken.

Nutrition Facts

Strawberry Arugula Salad with Chicken, Goat Cheese, Almonds, and Strawberry Lemon Vinaigrette

Amount Per Serving (1 Salad)

Calories 400 Calories from Fat 252

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 28g 43%

Sodium 488mg 20%

Total Carbohydrates 21g 7%

Dietary Fiber 8g 32%

Sugars 11g

Protein 23g 46%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

What’s to love about this Strawberry Arugula Salad…

• It Boosts Your Brain Health! Strawberries, arugula, chicken, and nuts are all part of a MIND Diet friendly meal plan, which has been shown to boost brain health, and may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by up to 53%!
• It’s Low FODMAP & Belly Friendly. Not sure what a low FODMAP diet is? Learn more here–> Low FODMAP Diet 101
• It Keeps Your Energy Level Up, Up, Up! Well-balanced, with complex carbs and fiber, protein, and fat, this strawberry arugula salad makes a perfect one dish meal for lunch or dinner. It also helps keep your energy level up, and your blood sugar level stable, which = a happy mood!
• Cruciferous Veggies, Baby! Arugula is a cruciferous veggie which may help with cancer prevention, and strawberries, like other berries, may also provide protection against certain types of cancers as well.
• Mmm…Microgreens! Did you know they pack a nutritional punch, with nutrient levels up to 40 times higher than their mature counterparts? It’s true!
• It’s Super Versatile Too! It’s naturally gluten-free, and can be adapted for whatever diet makes you feel your best.
  • Vegan: Omit chicken and goat cheese. Add cooked quinoa, beans, or tofu for extra protein.
  • Vegetarian: Omit chicken & see vegan subs above.
  • Paleo: Omit goat cheese.
  • Other: Not a fan of strawberries? Try blueberries or raspberries instead! Not a fan of goat cheese? How about feta or grated Parmesan? Not an arugula fancier? How about spinach, kale, romaine, or watercress instead? Oh, and about those almonds…chopped walnuts, pine nuts, or sunflower seeds would be mighty tasty too!

Let’s chat!

Is your spring off to a fabulous start too? Did you do anything fun, or go anywhere for spring break? What would you add, subtract, change about this salad to make it your own??? 

I’d love to chat with you, so leave a comment, share a tip, or ask a question! And, if you think your friends would enjoy this post, I’d truly appreciate you sharing it with them too!