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Chicken and Mandarin Orange Salad

chicken-and-mandarin-orange-salad

Refreshing and delicious, this chicken and mandarin orange salad recipe is a perfect lunch on a busy work day or a light dinner. Salads are best served fresh however if you keep the vegetables, chicken, and oranges separate then you can easily store them and combine just before eating. The savory chicken, marinated in sun dried tomatoes and pesto, is balanced by the citrus flavor of the orange slices. You won’t need much salad dressing for this chicken and mandarin orange salad, the ingredients and marinade are excellent already.

The dish is stunning as well. The vibrancy alone makes the meal stand out and then the unique combination of vegetables, fruit, and protein make for a unique salad experience. If you’re looking for a way to add salads to your routine and have struggled with it in the past, try this recipe. It’s different then the typical salad. Or, if you’re an avid salad eater, mix up your routine with this chicken and mandarin orange salad recipe. Bring some new flavors to your usual meal prep.

This salad is super easy to make and assemble. It’s fast and versatile too. Grill or cook your chicken in an air fryer, on a grill, in the oven or even try a different protein. Steak works well with the flavors as well if you’re looking for a different take. Even adding different vegetables or nuts, for an added crunch, are great ways to mix up the recipe.

chicken-and-mandarin-orange-salad

Chicken and Mandarin Orange Salad

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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Equipment

  • knife
  • cutting board
  • grill pan
  • tongs

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb boneless chicken thigh or chicken breast
  • 4 tbsp sun-dried tomato pesto sauce
  • 1 cup canned mandarin oranges (drained)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 8 cups salad mix
  • 8 tbsp choice of vinaigrette dressing
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your Indoor Griddle/Grill on Medium High
  • Marinate the chicken with the Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Sauce, covering the whole surface of the meat
  • Place the chicken on the preheated indoor griddle/grill and sear the chicken on each side for 6 to 7 minutes until the chicken cooks for an internal temperature of 165F
  • While the chicken is cooking, assemble your salad by mixing the cherry tomatoes and mandarin oranges in a bowl. Add the salad mix and dress it with your favorite dressing to your preferred taste (recommend 2 tbsp per person)
  • When the chicken is finished, set it aside to cool for 5 minutes. 
  • Slice the chicken into bite size pieces and add it to the salad mix