10 Minute Simple Strawberry
Quinoa Spinach Salad
Spring Brunch | Quick Lunch
Let’s be honest — most salads are either boring… or way too much work.
This one? Neither.
This Simple Strawberry Quinoa Spinach Salad is fresh, satisfying, and built for real life. It’s the kind of salad you throw together in under 10 minutes but still feels like something you’d order at a café.
Sweet strawberries, nutty quinoa, salty feta, crunchy pecans, juicy chicken, and quick-pickled red onions — all tossed with a simple everyday balsamic dressing (just 5 ingredients).
It’s balanced, bright, and actually filling.
The Shortcut Strategy (This Is Key)
We’re not overcomplicating anything here.
- Pre-cooked quinoa
- Store-bought grilled chicken
That alone cuts your prep time down dramatically.
Then you:
- Quickly pickle red onions
- Make the dressing – or use a high quality clean ingredient store bought
- Quarter strawberries
- Cube feta
The Everyday Balsamic Dressing (5 Ingredients)
This is the kind of dressing you’ll memorize.
- Balsamic vinegar
- Olive oil
- Dijon mustard
- Honey or garlic (whatever flavor you prefer more)
- Salt + pepper
Shake or whisk — no blender needed. It’s simple, balanced, and works on everything.
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Perfect For
It’s one of those “I actually feel good after eating this” meals.
- Quick weekday lunches
- Light dinners
- Meal prep
- Spring and summer meals
- When you want something fresh but filling
How It Comes Together
- Toss spinach and quinoa in a bowl.
- Add strawberries, chicken, feta, pecans, and pickled onions.
- Drizzle with balsamic dressing.
- Toss gently and serve.
Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I use all of the products that I link and reccommend them because they are high quality products that I trust.
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Strawberry Quinoa Spinach Salad
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2-4 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Description
This strawberry quinoa spinach salad is fresh, high-protein, and ready in 10 minutes. Made with chicken, feta, pecans, and a simple balsamic dressing.
Ingredients
- 4 cups or small handfuls of Spinach
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1/2 cup quartered strawberries
- 1/2 cup pecans
- 2 pieces of grilled chicken, about 2 cups
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, cubed
Quick pickle red onion
- 1 quarter of a red onion, sliced very thin
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar
Everyday Balsamic Dressing (makes enough for leftovers- store in a glass container in your refrigerator)
- 1/3 cup Balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Honey (optional)
- 1 teaspoon fresh garlic, minced (optional)
- large pinch of salt + pepper
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
- Pickle the red onions first – Place the red onion and vinegar in a small container – make sure the onions are covered with the vinegar. Set a side for at least 10 miuntes- if you want them more pickled do this 2 hours prior.
- To make the dressing – Mix all dressing ingredients in a container with a tight lid and shake to combine everything.
- Toss spinach and quinoa in a salad bowl or individual serving bowls. Add strawberries, chicken, feta, pecans, and pickled onions.
- Drizzle with 3 tablespoons of the balsamic dressing and toss to coat. Add more dressing if desired.
Notes
Buy precooked chicken and quiona from your store – this cuts the preparation time down by 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10
- Category: Lunch
- Method: raw
- Cuisine: salad
Hi, I'm Kat.
Thanks for being here.
Hi, I’m Kat — a Colorado-based Personal Chef and the heart behind White Sparrow Food Company. As a business owner, a soccer Mom to two daughters and always being asked “What’s for dinner?” – I get the challenges of everyday life.
Here, I share the same easy, wholesome, gluten free recipes I cook for my clients, made simple for real life at home. All recipes that YOU can make in your kitchen.
Take a look around, get inspired, and stay awhile — I’m so happy you’re here.
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