#MondayMeals: Bury Those Blues!
Bury your blues with Creamy Blueberry Chicken Salad! This recipe can be made with some locally sourced ingredients that are BERRY healthy and delicious. Read on for more information about the benefits of this tasty dish.
Chicken is full of great nutrients that can boost the immune system, prevent anemia, and help to maintain heart health. Chicken is also great for eye health, helps to lower blood pressure, and decreases the risk of stroke and heart attack.
Blueberries are high in nutrients that are good for maintaining healthy cholesterol, blood pressure, heart health, and brain function.
Onions contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that may reduce the risk of obesity and heart disease. The high amounts of vitamin C found in onions also promote healthy skin and hair.
Yogurt is highly nutritious and is a great source of protein, B vitamins, and calcium. The nutrients found in yogurt are good for digestive, bone, and heart health, and work to strengthen the immune system. Yogurt also promotes healthy weight management.
Lemons are rich in vitamins, minerals, and nutritious plant compounds that support heart health, digestive health, and help to prevent kidney stones. Lemons may also help to prevent anemia.
Honey is rich in antioxidants and organic acids that can reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke, lower blood pressure and triglycerides, and improve cholesterol. Honey is a better sweetener than sugar for diabetics and can also promote eye health.
Arugula is full of vital vitamins and nutrients that encourage healthy cell and bone growth, eye health, and proper kidney, heart, lung, and immune system function. Arugula also helps to lower blood pressure.
Olive oil contains healthy fats and antioxidants which may reduce the risk of chronic diseases, fight inflammation, and promote heart health. Olive oil may also lower the risk of stroke and type 2 diabetes.
Food produced locally is more nutritious. This is because food contains the most nutrients around the time it is harvested. The longer food spends traveling, the less nutrition it contains. Less time traveling also means less exposure to harmful chemicals and less production of greenhouse gasses. What a tasteful way to decrease our carbon footprint!
Find ingredients for Creamy Blueberry Chicken Salad and more at Anderson’s Farm Market, The Local Food Market, or through a CSA share at Main Street Farms. Also be sure to stop by the Cortland and Homer Farmers Markets and Shared Roots Farm to see what nutritious and delicious foods are available this season. Hall's Hill is great for blueberry picking his time of year! Check out the healthy and delicious recipe for Creamy Blueberry Chicken Salad below.
Creamy Blueberry Chicken Salad
Ingredients
1/2 cup thinly vertically sliced red onion
1/3 cup diced celery
1/4 cup torn fresh basil
12 ounces shredded skinless, boneless rotisserie chicken (about 3 cups)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1/2 cup plain 2% reduced-fat Greek yogurt
2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, divided
1 tablespoon honey
2 cups fresh blueberries
1 (5-ounce) package baby arugula
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
How to Make It
Combine first 4 ingredients in a medium bowl; sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Combine yogurt, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and honey in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add yogurt mixture to chicken mixture; toss to coat. Gently stir in blueberries. Place arugula, remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice, oil, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper in a bowl; toss to coat. Divide arugula mixture evenly among 6 plates; top each serving with about 3/4 cup chicken mixture.
