This warm spinach salad with chicken, mushrooms, couscous, and an easy lemon dressing is delicious, healthy, and quick!
This week my 8-year-old decided he wanted to open a bank account. He has some birthday and Christmas money that he doesn’t know what to do with and loved the idea of having his own account. While I wasn’t sure just how useful or educational it would be for him to have a checking account, I wasn’t against the idea either, so Monday afternoon we went to the bank. When I say “we,” I am talking about a 3-year-old, 8-year-old, and myself because what could go wrong with that crew going to a boring financial institution? We waited a while only to find out that the banker (apparently the only person in the whole place who can open an account?) was on lunch at 3pm, so we opted to run our other errands and come back later. Later turned into 4:45, and when we got back there was a wait. There’s a reason I do not go places with my kids at 5pm, especially not places like banks where somewhat quiet, calm behavior is expected. My oldest is getting better at staying calm in such situations, but my 3-year-old was acting like an escaped circus animal. As he got louder and started wrestling me when I suggested he sit in my lap, I waved the white flag and carried my struggling (and strong!) child to the car. That evening, I was frazzled and low on energy to cook. Luckily, this dinner doesn’t take much time or energy. I LOVED this meal! The lemon dressing really makes it. I found brown rice couscous that I used, but regular couscous or even rice would be great. If you’d rather, you could just cook the spinach with the chicken and put it all over the couscous or rice instead of making it like a salad. Just make sure you drizzle the tart and savory lemon dressing over the top because that’s what makes the dish! To finish my story, the next day, we went to a different bank (where I wasn’t ashamed to show my face) right after school. Armed with an iPhone for the little one and a promise of ice cream afterwards if everyone was good, we managed to get the bank account open. I’m giving my son about a week before he decides he wants to take all the money out and buy something. We’ll see how it goes!
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Warm Spinach Salad with Chicken and Lemon Dressing
This warm spinach salad with chicken, mushrooms, couscous, and a lemon dressing is delicious, healthy, and quick!
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 3-4 1x
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 c. uncooked couscous
- 2 c. chicken broth (or amount called for on package instructions)
- 6 oz. bag of baby spinach
- 2 tsp. olive oil
- 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 oz. sliced mushrooms
- 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
- 3 tbsp. fresh lemon juice about one lemon
- 3 tbsp. olive oil
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp. grated parmesan
Instructions
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Cook the couscous, substituting chicken broth for water, by following the preparation instructions on your package of couscous. (Liquid amounts and cooking times can vary slightly by brand.)
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Meanwhile, heat 2 tsp. olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and mushrooms, and sprinkle with seasoned salt. Saute until chicken is cooked through.
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Whisk together all ingredients for lemon dressing and set aside.
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To build your salad, fill 3-4 large bowls with spinach leaves, and spoon couscous over the spinach. Arrange chicken and mushrooms over the couscous, and drizzle each bowl with the lemon dressing.
Notes
If you prefer, saute the spinach into the cooked chicken until wilted, and serve over couscous instead.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Main
Want more healthy and hearty salads? Try these!
Carla (@charliesue) says
Ahhhh, warm salad! DELICIOUS.
(P.S. Wanting a bank account is ADORABLE. And I LOVE it.) :)
Andi says
Thanks, Carla. He is pretty cute. Trouble, but cute. ;)
Kelly says
Oh my, yes, the evening hours with my 3 year old are the hardest too. It’s so hard taking him out at this age!. Yay for easy to put together recipes like this. Love this warm spinach salad, the lemon dressing sounds amazing!
Andi says
My son will be four in a couple months, and he does seem to be getting easier. A few months ago, I felt like I couldn’t take him anywhere no matter what time of day! Have a good weekend, Kelly. Thanks!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Sounds like you had your hands full at the bank! Luckily this dinner came together in a snap. I love these flavors! Spinach salads are my favorite, and the chicken and dressing looks fantastic! Pinned!
Andi says
I have my hands full most of the time, Gayle ;) Thank you!
Sherri@The Well Floured Kitchen says
Chuckling over here – You would think by the 4th kid I would learn what situations to avoid, but no. It’s so hard to take a 3 year old anywhere, never mind late afternoon- the evil hours! Your salad looks delicious and the perfect busy weeknight meal.
Andi says
I think I have to embarrass myself every once in a while by trying to take them somewhere at 5:00 just to make sure it’s still a bad idea ;) Thank you, Sherri!
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector) says
I’ve totally been there before!! Half the time I feel trapped and won’t go anywhere with my crew! This salad looks so delicious!
Andi says
I can imagine because you have a bigger crew than I do! I hope you have a big back yard if you are trapped at home. Thank you, Jaren!
Ashlyn @ Belle of the Kitchen says
I love warm salads, Andi, and this sounds delicious with the couscous! I think it’s awesome that you went and opened a bank account for your son. I laughed at your description of your youngest as an “escaped circus animal!” I feel like I’ve called my son the very same thing. ;)
Andi says
Ha! Yes, I often feel like we’re a circus act when we are out in public! Thank you, Ashlyn :)
Nicole @ Or Whatever You Do says
Oh man. I’ve had so many errand trips go that way! It is so easy for an entire trip to go south, and fast! You tried….so there’s always that. My kids give me money to put “in their account” pretty often. I need to ledger or a log book or something because the bank of mom’s memory is seriously failing her. It usually consists of me asking them how much they have. They could tell me any reasonable number and I’d believe it!
Andi says
We have an account system too, and it’s hard to keep up with who spent what! I try to write it down, but I know I forget stuff a lot. I probably forget to write down when they get money too, so it all works out ;)
Sara @ Bitz & Giggles says
I love your bank story! I remember having to take the kids when we closed on our cabin and my son was sitting in a swivel chair and spinning himself around like a top while we were trying to sign papers. For now my 6-year-old has an electronic bank at home. LOL Your spinach salad looks divine, by the way. I’ve never made anything with couscous. I think it needs to happen this year!
Andi says
When I went to open my business checking account, my little one was not quite two. I literally had to get up and run to the front door when he tried to leave at one point during the process. Super professional ;) Yes, you should try couscous! It cooks in less than 10 minutes, so it’s great for quick recipes!
Tonia from TheGunnySack says
Sounds like a great lesson for your son! It will be harder to spend when it is tucked away at the bank. I love that this salad has couscous! I am going to have to try it.
Andi says
Thanks so much, Tonia!