Tasty and Simple Strawberry Spinach Salad with Chicken

Spring is the season for fresh strawberries. Whether you pick them yourself or stock up at the grocery store, these berries are a smart choice for your brain. Strawberries have substances known as flavonoids. These nutrients give these fruits their bright red coloring and may help provide cognitive support.

Combine strawberries with spinach for even more nutrition that may benefit your brain. Spinach has vitamin E, B vitamins, folate, and other nutrients that might support cognition. When served raw as part of a salad, this leafy vegetable’s slightly sweet flavor pairs well with the juicy sweetness of strawberries.

This springtime recipe also has other nutrients that support healthy brain function. Chicken offers a great source of lean protein for the brain, while olive oil provides healthy fatty acids. Almonds have antioxidants that may support healthy brain function. Feta cheese contains vitamin B12.

This strawberry spinach salad with chicken recipe is the perfect lunch or dinner during spring. Fire up the grill on a warm day. Or make grilled chicken on your stovetop for a quick and delicious meal. Serve with whole wheat dinner rolls or a side of grilled vegetables, like eggplant, zucchini, asparagus, or red bell peppers.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 cups strawberries, quartered and divided
• 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp salt, divided
• 1/2 tsp ground pepper
• 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp strawberry preserves
• 1 lb chicken tenders
• 1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds
• 5 oz baby spinach
• 1/2 cup fresh basil
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions:

• Preheat grill on a medium-high heat setting
• Combine vinegar, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, and 1 cup strawberries in a blender
• Blend ingredients until smooth, then drizzle with oil
• Place 1/2 cup of vinegar mix in large bowl
• Add strawberry preserves to blender, and blend until smooth
• Sprinkle 1/4 tsp pepper and 1/8 tsp salt on chicken
• Oil the grill rack with olive oil
• Grill chicken for 1 to 2 minutes
• Flip chicken and baste with strawberry vinegar sauce from blender
• Flip and baste chicken every 15 seconds until it reaches 165 degrees
• Place chicken on plate
• Add almond slices, spinach, basil, feta cheese, and 1 cup strawberries to strawberry vinegar mix, then toss
• Serve salad with chicken

Filling up on a nutrient-rich salad is a great way to support your brain. Supplements may offer another way to do so.  Prevagen, a supplement that supports healthy brain function, contains a protein known as apoaequorin. This protein was originally discovered in jellyfish. Find out more about Prevagen side effects and more.