Chico Inn Spinach Salad with Creamy Italian Dressing
The Chico Inn Spinach Salad with Creamy Italian Dressing is a vibrant and satisfying dish that combines fresh, wholesome ingredients with a touch of indulgence. Crisp spinach leaves form the base, beautifully accented by sweet cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, tangy crumbled feta, and the nutty crunch of toasted pine nuts. Quartered hard-boiled eggs add protein and richness, making this salad both nourishing and hearty. The star of the recipe is the homemade creamy Italian dressing, a luscious blend of olive oil, mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, and a hint of garlic and Italian seasoning, perfectly balanced with optional milk or cream for a silky finish. This 30-minute recipe is perfect for a quick yet elegant lunch, a refreshing side dish, or even as a light main course. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or looking for a nutritious weeknight meal, this salad delivers fresh flavors, a burst of color, and a healthy dose of deliciousness!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 cups Fresh spinach leaves
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes
- 0.5 medium, thinly sliced Red onion
- 0.5 cup Crumbled feta cheese
- 0.25 cup Toasted pine nuts
- 2 large Hard-boiled eggs
- 0.25 cup Olive oil
- 0.25 cup Mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons White wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Honey
- 1 clove, minced Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Dried Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon (optional, to thin dressing) Milk or cream
Instructions
Wash and pat dry the fresh spinach leaves, then place them in a large bowl.
Slice cherry tomatoes in half, thinly slice the red onion, and peel and quarter the hard-boiled eggs. Set aside.
In a small, dry skillet, toast the pine nuts on medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool.
Add the cherry tomatoes, red onion, feta cheese, and toasted pine nuts to the bowl with the spinach leaves.
For the dressing, combine olive oil, mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl or jar. Whisk or shake well to emulsify.
If the dressing is too thick, add 1 tablespoon of milk or cream at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.
Drizzle the creamy Italian dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
Top the salad with quartered hard-boiled eggs for garnish and additional protein.
Serve immediately and enjoy a fresh, flavorful salad!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
400 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 37.7 g | 48% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.2 g | 36% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 122 mg | 41% | |
| Sodium | 677 mg | 29% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 8.2 g | 3% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.9 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.7 g | ||
| Protein | 8.9 g | 18% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.7 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 114 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 2.1 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 384 mg | 8% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
