If there is ONE salad I’m going to be enjoying for the rest of Winter, this is the one!
This Winter Citrus Chopped Salad is seriously packed full of delicious ingredients.
It comes together quite simply and uses in-season citrus for a pop of flavour too!
This salad is filled with different textures from a variety of delicious ingredients:
Citrus: Not only does the cara cara orange I used in this salad bring a pop of colour, it brings a fresh pop of flavour too! Feel free to use a regular navel orange, clementines or even grapefruit.
Cooked chicken: Making this salad simple, use already cooked chicken. I like to grab a roasted chicken from the market most week’s to help make meal-prep that much easier. Then all you need to do is pull or chop the chicken to add to this salad.
Brussels sprouts: I love using brussels sprouts in salads in the Winter, especially since they hold up so well to dressing and is a nice change from many other greens.
Barley (or your choice of grains): I used a quick-cooking barley in this salad as the chewier texture goes great with the other ingredients. However, any grain will do. Try quinoa or brown rice too!
Parmesan cheese: This cheese complements all of the other flavours, especially the brussels sprouts and citrus.
Almonds: Adds a lovely crunch to this salad.
Lemon Dressing: A bright and simple dressing, I love this dressing not only on this salad but it’s a great go-to for any salad!
It’s easy to make this Winter Citrus Chopped Salad to your tastes too. Feel free to substitute for the chicken with chickpeas for example. And, if you want to use a different grain there are so many to choose from!
Winter Citrus Chopped Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups dry quick-cooking barley or 2 cups of another dried grain of choice
- 4 cups thinly chopped or shredded brussels sprouts about 12 brussels sprouts
- 1-2 oranges, segmented and chopped try cara-cara oranges or a navel orange, use 1 or 2 depending on the size
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup almonds, chopped optional: toast the almonds
- 10 basil leaves, chopped
Lemon Dressing
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- juice from one lemon
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 garlic clove, minced or pressed
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- ground pepper
Instructions
- Cook the grains and while cooking, prep the rest of the salad ingredients: chop the brussels sprouts; peel and chop the orange; measure the chicken; chop the almonds; and slice the basil.
- If toasting the almonds, add the chopped almonds to a small frying pan on medium-low, toasting until lightly browned.
- Mix together all of the dressing ingredients, shake it well and set aside.
- To assemble the salad mix together the barley (or grains of choice), brussels sprouts, orange pieces, parmesan cheese, chicken, almonds and basil. Add the dressing and mix until combined. Taste and adjust with more salt and pepper if needed.
Notes
- Want to substitute for the chicken? Chickpeas would be a great choice too.
- Want to meal prep this salad for lunch? Divide the ingredients between 4 containers and keep the dressing on the side until ready to serve.
- You can also use mason jars to meal prep the salads for lunches - divide the dressing between 4 large jars starting with the dressing at the bottom followed by the grains, parmesan cheese, brussels sprouts, chicken, oranges, basil and almonds.
I love serving this salad in bowls for lunch or dinner. I don’t know why but I just love a good bowl meal!
The other great thing about this recipe is you can prep ALL of the ingredients ahead of time. Then, mix everything together before serving.
This Winter Citrus Chopped Salad is also delicious to make and take for weekday lunches.
Meal Prep Tips
- Making this salad for dinner? Prep all of the ingredients ahead of time, store in the fridge and then add the dressing and mix before serving.
- Making this salad to take for lunch? Divide the ingredients between 4 containers and keep the dressing on the side until ready to serve. OR if you’re using mason jars, divide the dressing between 4 large jars starting with the dressing at the bottom followed by the grains, parmesan cheese, brussels sprouts, chicken, oranges, basil and almonds.
Whichever way you enjoy it, I hope it becomes one of your favourites of the season too!
Love salads like me? Try this Roasted Tomato, Pesto & Halloumi Salad or this Market Spring Vegetable Salad one too once the season changes.
Until the next cooking adventure,
Jess
Nicoletta De Angelis Nardelli
This salad has such a nice balance of flavors and textures! Love the crunch, especially, and the freshness of the citrus, but no chicken for me 🙂 .It also looks pretty and able to cheer up a grey winter day.
Jess
Thank you Nicoletta! And you are so right, lots of flavours & textures that work well together. And, you totally don’t need to add the chicken if it doesn’t work for you! On its own this salad is delicious 🙂
Colleen
This salad is a delicious combo of ingredients, and it’s a meal in itself. Love it!
Jess
Thanks for the recipe love Colleen! And you bet – makes a perfect bowl meal!
Vanessa
This salad sounds incredible! Thanks for the meal prep tips!
Jess
You’re so welcome Vanessa! I’m so happy to hear the meal prep tips are helpful; I hope you enjoy the recipe!