Winter Spinach Salad with Cranberry and Oranges

This cranberry orange spinach salad is loaded with pretty color and delicious flavor, perfect for winter dinners.

Summertime is kind of synonymous with salads, but winter is a great time to get your greens too. If you’re looking for a good and good-for-you salad, this spinach salad is one of my favorites.

It’s simple to toss together and includes dried cranberries and canned mandarine oranges. You can also substitute fresh if you prefer. The sweetness of the fruit contrasts with the salty cheese and dressing for a perfect flavor combo.

I made my spinach salad with chicken, but you can leave it out if you’re making a side salad or just prefer it that way. Because there are so many other flavors going on here, I just seasoned my chicken with salt and pepper.

You can season your chicken however you like – or even swap it for a rotisserie chicken, leftover from another meal, or whatever your favorite chicken shortcut is.

How to make a spinach salad

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken breasts
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 8 cups baby spinach
• 1/2 cup canned mandarin orange segments
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup feta cheese
• 1/4 cup any mild-flavored vinaigrette dressing

Instructions

1. Cook the chicken.

Heat a skillet with about a tablespoon of olive oil. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and cook over medium-high heat until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side, depending on how thick your chicken is. Set the chicken aside.

2. Prep the spinach.

Wash and dry the spinach well and place it in your serving dish. A large bowl is convenient, but a platter is pretty.

3. Add the toppings.

Drain and rinse the oranges and spread them over the spinach. Add the cranberries and feta, crumbling any large pieces.

4. Slice the chicken.

Slice the chicken and place it on top of the salad. Drizzle the dressing over the top.

Serve immediately. Leftover salad tends to get soggy, so if you are not serving right away, add the dressing just before serving.

Of course, I made my spinach salad look pretty for photos. Vinaigrette dressings tend to look brown and make greens not very photogenic. If you prefer to dice up the chicken into bite-sized pieces and toss it all together in a bowl, it will be just as delicious.

Printable spinach salad recipe

Yield: Serves 4

Cranberry orange spinach salad with chicken

5.0 Stars (2 Reviews)

Print

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 pounds chicken breasts
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 8 cups baby spinach
• 1/2 cup canned mandarin orange segments
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup feta cheese
• 1/4 cup any mild-flavored vinaigrette dressing

Instructions

1. Cook the chicken. Heat a skillet with about a tablespoon of olive oil. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and cook over medium-high heat until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side, depending on how thick your chicken is. Set the chicken aside.
2. Prep the spinach. Wash and dry the spinach well and place it in your serving dish. A large bowl is convenient, but a platter is pretty.
3. Add the toppings. Drain and rinse the oranges and spread them over the spinach. Add the cranberries and feta, crumbling any large pieces.
4. Slice the chicken. Slice the chicken and place it on top of the salad. Drizzle the dressing over the top.
5. Serve immediately. Leftover salad tends to get soggy, so if you are not serving right away, add the dressing just before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 657Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 201mgSodium: 961mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 3gSugar: 24gProtein: 74g

Nutritional information is only an estimate from online calculators. For more precise information, enter the specific ingredients you are using into your preferred tool.

What’s next? Try these other fun and creative ideas on One Mama’s Daily Drama:

• Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce
• Ultimate Meal Planning Guide for Beginners
• 7 Breakfast Smoothie Recipes for Your Ninja Blender