Honey-Lime Grilled Chicken on Strawberry Spinach Salad

 Grill season has started and I could not be more excited. While steaks, hamburgers and hot dogs have their place in my heart, sometimes I just want something healthier to throw on the grill. This honey-lime chicken marinade is one of my favorite go-to recipes for summer barbeques. It's sweet, tangy and a pinch of cayenne pepper adds a little spice!

The salad is also low in fat, high in protein, fiber, immune-system boosting vitamin C and a great source of tons of other vitamins and minerals. You get brain- and heart-healthy omega-3s from the avocado. The carrots are packed with carotenoids that are great for eye health. Strawberries have exceptional antioxidant properties as well as phytochemicals that are believed to help significantly inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells. 

Honey-Lime Grilled Chicken on Strawberry Spinach Salad

Serves 4

Prep time: 20 min. 

Marinade time: 1 hr plus

Total Time: 1 hr 40 min.

Ingredients:

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Marinade:

4 chicken breasts

Salt and pepper (to taste)

1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional, adjust to taste)

Zest of one lime

Juice of one lime

2-3 T. honey

4-5 T. olive oil

Salad:

1 medium bag baby spinach, washed

11/2 cups red cabbage, shredded

3 carrots, peeled and grated

1 cucumber, peeled and diced

2 cups strawberries, greens removed and sliced

1 avocado, pitted, sliced and flesh scooped out

Dressing:

Juice 1 lime

1/2 tsp. mustard powder

1 clove garlic

pinch cayenne

2 T. honey

6 T. Balsamic vinegar

6 T. olive oil

Directions:

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1. Pat chicken dry and then salt and pepper each breast on both sides. 

2. In a large large bowl or tupperware container, combine zest, cayenne pepper, lime juice, honey and oil. Add chicken and make sure both sides are coated with mixture. 

3. Put in fridge and let sit for at least an hour ( I did around 3).

4. Cook chicken on the grill. Cooking time will depend on heat of the grill and size of your chicken breast. Ours took around 10 minutes total.

5. In a medium bowl, whisk together all ingredients for dressing.

6. Plate salad, add sliced, grilled chicken and toss with dressing.