Delicious Winter Salad

Winter Salad

Winter Wonderland Salad with Grilled Chicken & Roasted Broccoli

Bright, crunchy, sweet, tangy—and now veggie-packed—this salad is your winter sunshine in a bowl.

 

Winter Salad

Just when you thought winter salads had to be sad, dull bowls of leaves, we’re here to prove you wrong. Meet the Winter Wonderland Salad with Grilled Chicken & Roasted Broccoli: tender chicken, jewel-like pomegranate arils, juicy pears, citrus segments, and perfectly roasted broccoli all drizzled in a dreamy four-ingredient citrus-honey dressing. Toasted pecans and crumbled blue cheese finish this festive feast that doubles as a show-stopping side or a hearty main dish.

If your winter menu feels a little heavy on stews and roasts, this vibrant bowl is the palate cleanser you never knew you needed. It’s like a holiday party for your taste buds, with every bite delivering crisp greens, sweet fruit, nutty crunch, and savory protein. Let’s dive in!

After feeling like you just rolled out of the holidays. I love sugar cookies, delicious holiday dishes, and you can’t let them go to waste! lol!  Your body starts to scream for healthy meals! Mike is back to doing keto and Lisa is trying to get abs of steel. Little old me, just wants to feel better. That is why I made this delicious salad. Of course, it can be a full meal or even a side dish, you chose.

This salad will make your body sing! You can either mix the salad together with the dressing or plate it like this so everyone can choose what they want.

 

Winter Salad

Salad Components

• 6 cups mixed winter greens (baby spinach, arugula, baby kale)
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 12 oz total)
• 2 cups broccoli florets (trimmed, bite-sized)
• 1 large ripe pear, cored and thinly sliced
• 1 small orange (or 2 clementines), peeled and segmented
• ½ cup pomegranate arils (fresh or thawed if frozen)
• ½ cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped
• ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese

Citrus-Honey Dressing (4 Ingredients)

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice (from your segmented orange)
• 1 tablespoon honey (or pure maple syrup)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Winter Salad

Directions

1. Roast the Broccoli
• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Toss broccoli florets with 1 tablespoon olive oil, a pinch of salt, and a grind of black pepper.
• Spread on a rimmed baking sheet and roast 12–15 minutes until edges caramelize. Remove from oven and let cool.
2. Grill the Chicken
• Pat chicken dry, season both sides with salt, pepper, and a light drizzle of olive oil.
• Preheat a grill pan or outdoor grill over medium-high heat.
• Grill chicken 5–6 minutes per side, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Rest 5 minutes, then thinly slice or dice.
3. Segment Citrus & Prep Fruit
• Peel and segment orange over a small bowl to catch juice.
• Core and slice pear; add to the bowl with orange segments.
4. Toast the Pecans
• Warm a dry skillet over medium heat.
• Stir pecans for 3–4 minutes until fragrant. Transfer to a plate to cool.
5. Make the Dressing
• In a lidded jar, combine olive oil, orange juice, honey, and Dijon mustard.
• Seal and shake vigorously until emulsified.
6. Assemble the Salad
• In a large bowl, layer mixed greens, roasted broccoli, orange and pear slices, pomegranate arils, and sliced chicken.
• Drizzle two-thirds of the dressing over the top and toss gently to coat.
7. Finish & Serve
• Sprinkle toasted pecans and blue cheese over the salad. Drizzle remaining dressing if desired.
• Plate immediately and watch the winter doldrums melt away.

Winter Salad

Calorie Count

This recipe makes 4 generous servings. Each serving is approximately 580 calories, perfect for a balanced main-dish salad.

 

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	580 kcal
Total Fat	29 g
– Saturated Fat	5 g
Cholesterol	60 mg
Sodium	350 mg
Total Carbohydrates	31 g
– Dietary Fiber	7 g
– Sugars	18 g
Protein	33 g
Vitamin A	60% DV
Vitamin C	90% DV
Iron	20% DV

 

 

 

Winter Salad

Cooking Tips

• Roasting broccoli at high heat brings out its natural sweetness and adds a caramelized edge.
• Use a cooling rack on your baking sheet so air circulates and florets crisp up evenly.
• Let chicken rest under foil before slicing to keep juices locked in.
• If you’re grill-less, cook chicken in a hot skillet or bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes.
• Shake your dressing jar again just before serving—the oil and juice separate if left to sit.

Winter Salad

 

Recipe Variations

• Spicy Chipotle Chicken & Broccoli: Season chicken with chipotle powder and roast broccoli with a pinch of smoked paprika.
• Vegan Version: Swap chicken for roasted chickpeas, blue cheese for dairy-free feta, and honey for maple syrup.
• Sweet Potato Addition: Roast sweet potato cubes alongside broccoli for extra color and heartiness.
• Cheese Swap: Trade blue cheese for crumbled goat cheese, feta, or shaved Parmesan.
• Nut-Free Crunch: Replace pecans with roasted pepitas to keep it allergy-friendly.
• Fruit Swap: Add sliced apples instead of pears or sprinkle with dried cranberries for extra tang.

 

Winter Salad

Kid Tips

• Let kids toss the broccoli florets in oil and seasonings—instant kitchen pride!
• Offer chicken strips on fun skewers so little hands can build their own salad bites.
• Pomegranate arils make “fruit confetti”—kids love sprinkling them.
• Provide small cups of each topping and dressings, turning assembly into a fun build-your-own-salad activity.
• Name the salad “Snowflake Power Bowl” or “Broccoli Yeti Feast” for some giggles.

 

Final Thoughts

By adding vibrant roasted broccoli, this Winter Wonderland Salad becomes an even more nutrient-dense, colorful masterpiece. Crisp greens, sweet fruit, savory chicken, and nutty veggies unite under a tangy citrus-honey dressing for a symphony of textures and flavors. It’s proof that salads aren’t just for spring—they can be the star of your winter table, too.

Whether you’re fueling a busy week, impressing guests at a holiday gathering, or simply craving something fresh and comforting, this salad has you covered. Leftovers store beautifully, and flavors deepen as they mingle overnight, making next-day lunches even more exciting.

 

 

 

 

Winter Salad

• Roast 2 cups broccoli for extra veggie goodness.
• Grill or bake chicken for 33 g of protein per serving.
• Enjoy a balanced 580-calorie main course salad.
• Customize with cheese, spice levels, or additional roasted veggies.

Embrace winter’s bounty with this hearty, flavorful, and downright cheerful salad. Gather around the table, share colorful plates, and let the warmth of good food and good company brighten even the frostiest days. Happy cooking, Lou Lou Girls fam! Tag us on Instagram or leave us a comment below! We love hearing from you!