How to Build the Perfect Dinner Salad and Love Every Bite!

When it comes to building the perfect salad there are four components that will take your salads from boring to spectacular.

Total Time: 20 minutes

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Building the perfect dinner salad isn’t hard to do. There are no rules to making a good dinner salad, but there are some key elements every good dinner salad should contain.

• Greens
• Protein
• Fruit
• Nuts
• Cheese

After you’ve got those ingredients the sky’s the limit and using what you have on hand adds variety each time you make your Perfect Dinner Salad.

Being a chef and the grocery shopper does have it’s advantages. I get to pick up items that I know I’m going to use in dishes, but some items I pick up simply because they look good or I want them. The important thing to remember when you buy produce is to keep it in sight, not buried in your vegetable crisper. Throwing out product because it spoiled makes me very sad.

But making delicious and healthy salads using a variety of ingredients not only keeps your spoilage at home to a minimum, it makes for interesting and delicious meals.

How many times have you heard someone tell you “I don’t like salads”? For the most part that’s because the only salad they’ve ever been served is a lifeless hunk of iceberg with a few other sad ingredients, doused in salad dressing.

When I opened my refrigerator today, I have to say the cupboard was bare. That meant it was time for a trip to my local grocery store to do some shopping. I prefer buying organic produce when it’s available and not too expensive.

After purchasing all of my ingredients its time to start building the perfect dinner salad. As a chef, I got into the habit of building my mise en place (everything in its place)

As a chef, I got into the habit of building my mise en place (everything in its place) whenever I have to make a dish, even a salad. You’d be amazed at the ideas that come to you as you gather your ingredients. Often times you’ll end up adding items you

You’d be amazed at the ideas that come to you as you gather your ingredients. Often times you’ll end up adding items you would never have thought of including as you go through the process of prepping your ingredients.

Once all of your ingredients are gathered, it also gives you the opportunity to build the final presentation of your dish. Eye appeal is just as important as taste. Take that extra minute or so to make everything perfect. This was my presentation of my salad before I tossed it with my salad dressing.

Building your perfect dinner salad does take a little time. Prepping the vegetables can be a social time in the kitchen for your family and friends, getting everyone involved in the process.

This makes my perfect dinner salad not only delicious and healthy but easy to make. Eating healthy isn’t always easy, but enjoying a hearty salad like this will make you feel good about dinner.

5 from 8 votes

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Perfect Dinner Salad

When it comes to building the perfect salad there are four components that will take your salads from boring to spectacular.

Author: Chef Dennis Littley

Nutrition Facts

Perfect Dinner Salad

Amount Per Serving

Calories 425 Calories from Fat 216

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 24g 37%

Saturated Fat 3g 15%

Cholesterol 83mg 28%

Sodium 336mg 14%

Potassium 664mg 19%

Total Carbohydrates 16g 5%

Dietary Fiber 4g 16%

Sugars 8g

Protein 36g 72%

Vitamin A 100.8%

Vitamin C 76.5%

Calcium 8.7%

Iron 11.5%

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

Course: Entree

Keyword: dinner salad, light dinner

Prep Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 20 mins

Servings: 3

Calories: 425 kcal

Ingredients

• 4 cups mixed greens- chopped
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 1/2 cup sliced strawberries
• 1/2 cup sliced cucumbers
• 1/2 cup diced carrots
• 1/2 cup diced sweet peppers
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup Italian cheese
• 1/2 cup pecans and pistachio's
• 2 cups Grilled Chicken breast
• 2 ounces your favorite salad dressing

Instructions

1. Grill or roast chicken breast and allow to cool

2. Set up your mise en place by preparing all of your ingredients.
3. Build your salad, taking time to make it look pretty.
4. Toss your salad in front of your guests.

5. Serve your salad with your favorite salad dressing and crusty bread.