Popeye's Blueberry Chicken Salad

Last night, I made a quick meal for my family and friends and everyone raved about it! Being a weeknight, I am always looking for something quick and healthy to eat. The salad came out great and it surprised me because I didn't expect the mixture of flavors with the blueberry. I love baby spinach and this definitely included a lot of it =) Gather your ingredients before lighting any fire or turning on your stove top!

Popeye's Blueberry Chicken Salad
Blueberry Sauce (see directions below)
3 chicken breasts no skin and boneless
1 cup of blueberries
1 cup feta cheese
cooking spray
baby spinach (enough for your guest) I bought a huge plastic container of it and it served well for four people with some leftover (again, I love spinach)

Prepare the Blueberry Sauce first. Get out your blender or food processor. Combine 1 cup of blueberries, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 teaspoons of fresh thyme, 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of salt. Blend well.

Mix about a 1/3 cup of the Blueberry Sauce with the chicken. Heat your grill pan or your grill whichever you prefer =) Spray cooking spray and add chicken but first make sure your pan or grill is the right temperature. Cook your chicken through and through, flipping periodically to avoid being burned on each side.

While the chicken is grilling, place a reasonable size amount of spinach on each plate (about a handful). When the chicken is complete, slice it into strips and place on each plate. Top with feta cheese and remaining blueberries. Drizzle the Blueberry Sauce on top for dressing. 

For the kiddos old enough to eat from Mommy and Daddy's plate - Place some chicken aside, cut into chunks and throw some blueberries on their plate. Drizzle their chicken with a little sauce and serve. For older children, make them a small salad! My two year old loved this combination and little did she know she was eating antioxidants and protein =)

To compliment the salad, I recommend pairing it with a glass of red wine =)
Mix your salad really well before you take your first bite. Mixing all the ingredients. together is key to experiencing the best flavor =)
Enjoy and let me know what you think in the comment section below!

~ Health Info ~

Blueberries - Especially the wild species, blueberries contain antioxidants which have been found to reduce the risks of some cancers. One study suggests certain compounds present in blueberries have a major effect in reducing the degradation of brain function, as in Alzheimer's disease and other conditions. Other studies have shown that blueberries may help diminish stroke damage, prevent urinary tract infections, and lower cholesterol and lipid levels in the blood, which help alleviate and even reverse signs and symptoms of heart disease. In addition, blueberries are high in manganese as well as vitamin K, and have a very low glycemic load, making it an ideal food for diabetics.

Spinach - Researchers have identified at least 13 different flavonoid compounds in spinach that function as antioxidants and as anti-cancer agents. The anti-cancer properties of these flavonoids have been shown to slow down cell division in stomach cancer cells and reduce skin cancers. The spinach carotenoid is known to combat prostate cancer.

Red grapes - Because of the low incidence of heart disease in France which is attributed to greater consumption of red wine, it is believed that something in the grape helps to lower cholesterol levels in the body and thus slows down the build up of deposits in the arteries. Compounds such as resveratrol (a polyphenol antioxidant) have been discovered in grapes and these have been positively linked to fighting cancer, heart disease, degenerative nerve disease and other ailments.