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Spinach Salad with Chicken, Avocado and Goat Cheese
Oh, if I were a single girl, I’d eat salad every night for dinner. That’s how much I love the stuff. I’d eat mixed greens with berries and chicken. I’d eat arugula topped with salmon and drizzled with fresh lemon juice and olive oil. I’d eat crunchy romaine with roasted tomatoes, bacon and a generous dose of blue cheese dressing. And I’d eat a ton of spinach salads like this one: Spinach Salad with Chicken, Avocado and Goat Cheese
I gave up my single life (and eating salads for dinner) 17 years ago. It’s pretty rare that I can actually get away with serving salad for dinner these days. Instead, my family wants their version of dinner, which means a plateful of three things: a meat, a starch and a vegetable (or a big bowl of pasta).
Having somewhat of a rebellious nature, I decided to go for it with this salad. I fed my family SALAD for dinner. I started with spinach… sliced it into slivers.
…and then I added tomatoes and corn…
…and plenty of avocado and chopped, cooked chicken…
…and goat cheese and toasted pine nuts.
I drizzled a simple and tangy Dijon vinaigrette on top…
…and then I plated this as dinner for my family. No meat/vegetable/starch meal for them on this night- just SALAD for dinner.
And guess what? They loved it 
Spinach Salad with Chicken, Avocado and Goat Cheese
Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 20 min
Ingredients:
SALAD:
8 cups chopped spinach (1 bag)
1 cup halved cherry or pear tomatoes
1/2 cup corn (frozen, canned, or cut off the cob)
1 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 large avocado, sliced
1/3 cup crumbled goat or feta cheese
1/4 cup toasted pine nutsDRESSING:
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to tasteDirections:
1. Place spinach in a large salad bowl. add remaining salad ingredients.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Pour over the salad and toss (a little at a time... as much dressing as you desire).
Source: RecipeGirl.com
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I'm Lori Lange, recipe developer, food writer and Mom. I'm sharing over 2,600 of my favorite recipes and theme menus with you. 
Kathryn — April 2, 2012 @ 3:07 AM
I’m not surprised they loved it! I wonder if I can sneak it past my boyfriend
Blog is the New Black — April 2, 2012 @ 3:29 AM
Simple, healthy, delish! I love the addition of pine nuts!
Natalie @ Cooking for My Kids — April 2, 2012 @ 3:58 AM
This salad looks so incredibly delicious. I can totally see why your family loved it.
Maria in NJ — April 2, 2012 @ 4:08 AM
ohhh Lori that looks good, I love having all my kids still at home, but I tell ya if they were not living here, I would be cooking different too…but I do love having them still here with Mama….
I bet that would be good with grilled salmon too…
shelly (cookies and cups) — April 2, 2012 @ 5:26 AM
Totally gorgeous! Love the pine nuts, well, I love everything in there!
Liz C. — April 2, 2012 @ 6:58 AM
Looks so delicious and healthy! I was wondering if you have a preferred method for cooking chicken that can be used in various recipes like this one? It would be nice to cook a bunch of chicken on Sunday and use throughout the week. Thank you for another fabulous meal idea!
Lori Lange replied: — April 2nd, 2012 @ 7:00 AM
I usually just pan fry it. I spray a little bit of nonstick spray in a nonstick pan, coat the chicken breasts in garlic salt and pepper, put a lid on the pan and then cook on both sides for several minutes. Let it cool and then cut or shred it apart. That’s my go-to method!
Cookin' Canuck — April 2, 2012 @ 7:02 AM
This is a salad I would happily eat for dinner…lots and lots of great flavors together. How great that your family agreed.
Maria — April 2, 2012 @ 7:12 AM
Great salad Lori! Avocado makes everything better!
Jill — April 2, 2012 @ 7:14 AM
Yum! I love finding new salad recipes.
Averie @ Averie Cooks — April 2, 2012 @ 7:17 AM
So bright and colorful. Love the corn and tomatoes pic!
Traci (Burnt Apple) — April 2, 2012 @ 10:01 AM
I’m always looking for more salad recipes, and I’m so glad that I have all the ingredients in my fridge! Will be trying this for lunch today!
Emilie @ Emilie's Enjoyables — April 2, 2012 @ 10:47 AM
This is basically what I eat every night, plus quinoa. It’s amazing. I’m glad your family is coming around to see that as well
Laura — April 2, 2012 @ 11:04 AM
I never bookmark salad recipes. My husband is the same as your family – a plate of meat, veggie, starch suits him just fine. But on occasion in the summer we both enjoy what we call a “big salad.” I do think he would love this as a “big salad” every now again this summer. So…I bookmarked this for later.
Cassie — April 2, 2012 @ 11:18 AM
What a great combination of ingredients. I would eat a salad every day if it looked like this one. Yum!
Susie — April 2, 2012 @ 11:53 AM
Looks wonderful…except for the corn!
Phon @ MustEatNow — April 2, 2012 @ 5:25 PM
This recipe has so many of my favourite things, as well as being pretty to look at
Becki's Whole Life — April 3, 2012 @ 4:36 AM
This sounds absolutely wonderful. We have been doing salads with grilled chicken more often and my kids love them – and I love that. Will have to try this – we love goat cheese:-)
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers — April 3, 2012 @ 7:07 AM
I am loving this salad!! This is so simple, elegant and looks amazing!!
Brandi — April 3, 2012 @ 7:10 AM
Avocado and Goat Cheese are one of my favorite combinations…
Lauren — April 3, 2012 @ 7:53 AM
We do salad for dinner at least once a week! It’s so nice to not cook and whip up something healthy in no time at all.
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts — April 3, 2012 @ 8:51 AM
This looks like one amazing salad! The dressing sounds perfect with the chicken and avocado (my favorite salad topping)!
Liz @ Virtually Homemade — April 3, 2012 @ 9:49 AM
What beautiful pictures! I just made a spinach salad yesterday for my daughter’s school/staff appreciation. It had avocado, oranges and an Asian vinaigrette. coming to my blog soon.
Bree — April 3, 2012 @ 10:11 AM
Looks so wonderfully springy!
Brenda@SugarFreeMom.com — April 3, 2012 @ 3:09 PM
Looks incredible! I too had to give up salads for dinner unless they are a side of course no the main dish! BUT I will try again, summer is coming and who wants to heat up the house with the oven, salad is the perfect idea and your looks lovely!
SUSAN — April 3, 2012 @ 6:29 PM
Everything but the Corn – The rest sounds delish!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious — April 3, 2012 @ 10:15 PM
What a gorgeous salad, Lori. If only we could get by eating this every day. When Jason is up north at school, I’m a vegetarian but when he comes back into town, I’m devouring baby back ribs, fried chicken, and plenty of other artery-clogging foods!
Karen @ Sugartown Sweets — April 3, 2012 @ 10:22 PM
I love salad..and this one looks delicious! I don’t know why i dislike making them so much! This one could possibly inspire me to just go ahead and make it already!
Kalyn — April 4, 2012 @ 5:56 PM
I’d skip the corn, but otherwise I am there!
kellypea — April 5, 2012 @ 2:51 PM
Of course they loved it — it’s fabulous! My hubster is to the point where he’ll email at some point during the day and say, “It needs to be a salad dinner night.” I’ve gotten good at including that starch along with the protein in our salads and we look forward to them. I’ll have to try the pinenuts in this combo which is a fave. YUM!
Allison — April 12, 2012 @ 7:07 PM
My husband and I loved this salad! We’ve eaten it twice this week. For the dressing, we used a honey serrano balsamic vinegar with olive oil. I highly recommend the honey serrano balsamic if you can find it somewhere.
Aggie — April 13, 2012 @ 6:08 PM
I’m so with you on the salad for dinner every night Lori! This looks delicious! Avocado always takes a salad to another level
Laurie — April 18, 2012 @ 11:27 AM
Your photos are amazing! Can’t wait to try the recipe!
Londee — April 24, 2012 @ 10:09 AM
That looks delish! I love spinach!!
Bethie — May 3, 2012 @ 4:20 PM
This was delicious!! A little too much dijion for our tastes, but next time we would probably turn it into a tsp and just add more evoo and vinegar.
Oz — May 14, 2012 @ 7:01 PM
Such a tasty salad!! I changed the dressing up a bit…i added a bit of garlic and some agave nectar and instead of white vinegar, i used basalmic…just a personal preference but its really tasty and works well with all the flavors of the salad..its my go-to salad dressing for spinach salads!
Beth Somers — May 22, 2012 @ 10:52 AM
How funny…if you were single you’d want to eat more salads. If I were single, I would feel obligated to eat more salads, in hopes of being skinny and getting lots of dates. Ha! I guess I’m just not a salad lover. This one looks terrific though – love the avocado and pine nut combo!
Marcie — May 31, 2012 @ 9:34 PM
Saw this on Pinterest. Made it tonight for my husband and two little boys, 8 and 11. Everyone loved it, especially me. Thanks for the recipe!!
Erin Motz — June 6, 2012 @ 8:32 AM
This is perfect – loving avocado right now! Thanks for the great idea
Heather — June 10, 2012 @ 6:24 PM
Any idea on how many calories per serving?
Lori Lange replied: — June 10th, 2012 @ 7:07 PM
Not sure on this one.
Heather — June 11, 2012 @ 9:41 AM
I figured out the calories for anyone who might want to know… is 320 calories per serving.
Trying it tonight!
Elsie Nevakshonoff — June 11, 2012 @ 8:56 PM
I likee to make my salads with whatever is in my frig or pantry, will add a cold cooked potato or an egg filberts strawberrys avacado if its in the house,some lettuce off the garden a
or any kind of vegetable, salads don’t need recipes use what is there!!!!
Elsie Nevakshonoff — June 11, 2012 @ 9:02 PM
Salads don’t need recipes, add whatever is available in the frig or pantry, ,,hard cooked eggs, chicken, salmon, nuts, fruit of any kind, veggies cold cooked potatoes,even cut up spagetti or any other pasta, dressing of choice, and there you have a beautiful meal!!!
Elsie Nevakshonoff — June 11, 2012 @ 9:04 PM
cubed or grated cheese of choice is good too
Diane Weber — June 13, 2012 @ 8:47 AM
Looks good…this is going into my ‘to try’ file.
anna Hennelly — June 20, 2012 @ 5:57 PM
I made this tonight, it was so good. All three sons and my husband loved it. Thank you so much.
Natalie — June 21, 2012 @ 12:00 PM
This looks amazing so glad I found it on Pinterest, I hate to cook in the summer and love eating cold foods this will be added to my grocery list thank you
Crazy Kwistin — June 21, 2012 @ 6:19 PM
Yum, this looks fabulous!
Love pine nuts and goat cheese, oh and avocado, yum yum!!
Mary Alfredson — July 1, 2012 @ 9:31 AM
This looks incredible! Question for you… I am allergic to spinach, what would you suggest as a substitute?
Thank you!
Lori Lange replied: — July 1st, 2012 @ 10:27 AM
Mixed greens!
Angela — July 1, 2012 @ 5:31 PM
I just used low fat honey Dijon dressing. This was delicious. I could eat it everyday.
Desiree — July 2, 2012 @ 7:34 AM
Hi there!
I just want to thank you for sharing this awesome recipe. I am featuring your dish on my blog today. Thank you again!!
Hayley — July 5, 2012 @ 2:48 PM
How long does the vinaigrette last for? I’d love to be able to make some decent sized batches. I had this salad last night (had to substitute the white wine vinegar for seasoned rice vinegar, SO GOOD) I’m thinking of making this salad a weekly thing
Lori Lange replied: — July 5th, 2012 @ 5:51 PM
I think the vinaigrette would be good for a couple of weeks. Just shake it up before serving. There really isn’t anything in there that would go bad, right?
Amanda — July 9, 2012 @ 5:36 PM
This looks delicious! I am hosting a girls’ night at my house and want to make this. There will be about 9 girls including myself. Should I double or triple the recipe? Thanks!
Lori Lange replied: — July 10th, 2012 @ 3:44 AM
I think doubling would be fine as long as you are serving other things with the salad. You can always toss in some extra greens.
Katie — July 9, 2012 @ 9:36 PM
Wow! That salad is on my “summer to make” list. I’m right there with ya. If I were a single gal I’d be eating big salads for dinner every night. There are so many great flavors in a good salad!
Tricia Cotman — July 10, 2012 @ 6:09 AM
I’m making this tonight. Adding asparagus, quinoa and maybe hard boiled eggs just because. Can’t wait… looks so yummy!!!
Stephanie — July 10, 2012 @ 6:48 PM
Absolutely one of the best salads that I have ever had! Thank you!
LNB — July 24, 2012 @ 8:51 PM
My 11 year old SON came home from his friend’s house begging for me to get this recipe immediately! His friend’s mom made it for dinner and he loved it. Can’t wait to give it a try.
Amanda — August 18, 2012 @ 5:48 PM
Made this tonight and it was delicious!
Judy — August 22, 2012 @ 5:43 PM
I made this tonight -YUM! I left out the corn, I wanted to substitute black beans but I didn’t have any, but I will make sure I have some on hand next time!
Leigh Powell Hines @Hinessightblog — August 26, 2012 @ 4:11 PM
This was excellent.
Ginny Cook — August 27, 2012 @ 1:51 PM
For the corn cut off the cob – eat raw or cooked first? I always grill before cutting off the cob but curious to know if I can just eat raw and it will be just as yummy? Looks so delicious! Thanks…
Ginny
Lori Lange replied: — August 27th, 2012 @ 3:22 PM
You can do either- I actually really like it cut raw from the cob myself!
Anna L — August 31, 2012 @ 10:24 AM
This salad is a favorite in my house. So simple and SO good. I love it!
karina — September 3, 2012 @ 12:02 AM
oooooh this sounds delish, would love to make for my mother in law, but she HATES avocado…any suggestions??
Lori Lange replied: — September 3rd, 2012 @ 5:06 PM
You can always leave it out!
Jess — September 4, 2012 @ 11:28 AM
Looks great! Avocados make everything better! About to run the store to get the ingredients for lunch, think I’ll add black beans as well. Love corn and black bean with avocado, the flavors are great together!
Sheila — September 5, 2012 @ 1:06 PM
This looks great, making it for dinner tonight. Found it on Pinterest!
Zeeoana @ Basil and Strawberry — September 6, 2012 @ 11:28 AM
Eating spinach as salad is such a great idea! I love sponach, but so far, I only ate them cooked. Thanks!
Aggie — September 14, 2012 @ 7:54 PM
This caught my eye on Pinterest tonight…looks so good Lori!! I could eat salad for dinner most nights too!
Shannon Wallace — September 17, 2012 @ 5:33 PM
Excellent! I found this on Pinterest the other night, and I couldn’t get it off of my mind since I found it! LOL It was super yummy!!! Even my non-salad eater son ate some of it.
Diane Prentiss — September 24, 2012 @ 11:52 AM
Lori, it is awesome, I served it a few times this summer and it was a WOW! Curious as to nutrional count….do you have it? It is so good I’m afraid it be like too high in something? But I realize you don’t need a lot of dressing for this!
Lori Lange replied: — September 25th, 2012 @ 10:59 AM
I didn’t figure the nutritional info on this one. Glad you enjoy!
Kelly Bailey — September 29, 2012 @ 5:52 PM
This looks like it would make a great ‘Mason Jar’ salad for lunch as well…. dressing, chicken, corn, avocado, pine nuts then spinach, I think…….
Jasmin — October 6, 2012 @ 4:47 AM
This salad is mouth watering.Absolutely yummy! thxxxxxx
Tiffany — October 25, 2012 @ 6:44 PM
This was so good, thank you for sharing! I added beets, and used poppy seed dressing because that’s what I had on hand, and it was fantastic! Hubby and I cleaned our plates!
Terri — December 9, 2012 @ 7:34 PM
Since suffer from “pine mouth”, ridiculous I know…but real, I would have to sub another nut but this looks divine.
judith — December 26, 2012 @ 12:47 PM
beautiful! can’t wait to try it!
Janet — January 1, 2013 @ 3:44 PM
Loved it! Thanks for sharing!
Deborah Iverson — February 5, 2013 @ 7:08 PM
This is a keeper. Love all the flavors and bonus it is healthy.
Peggy Grigsby — February 6, 2013 @ 9:28 PM
Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe! I can’t wait to make it for my daughter who eats far healthier than I ever have and she will be so proud of me! I’m following you on Twitter now to get more inspiration! Thank you again!
Janice — February 9, 2013 @ 5:50 PM
Sounds wonderful, I will figure out my Weight Watchers points and try it this week! Thanks for sharing!
Deborah Iverson — February 9, 2013 @ 6:14 PM
Made this the other night and we loved it.
Annie — February 21, 2013 @ 11:40 AM
Delicious – I made this last night and my 13 year-old son said it was “delicious” – and it was! Thanks for posting. Annie x