Chicken and Asparagus Salad with Strawberry Dressing

A beautiful and delicious Spring salad.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1  cup  cut fresh asparagus, 1 inch pieces,steamed until crisp-tender
• 1  medium  ripe avocado, peeled and sliced
• 2  tablespoons lemon juice
• 4  cups  european blend  salad greens
• 1  cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 1⁄2 cups  sliced strawberries
• 2  boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cooked and sliced crosswise
•  salt and pepper
• 1⁄4 cup  coarsely chopped and toasted walnuts or 1⁄4 cup pine nuts

• Dressing

• 5  fresh strawberries, halved lengthwise
• 1  tablespoon  orange juice
• 2  tablespoons  vegetable oil
• 1  teaspoon  balsamic vinegar
• 1⁄8 teaspoon pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon sugar

Directions

1. Add lemon juice to a small bowl; dip avocado slices in lemon juice and set the avocado aside.
2. In a big salad bowl, add salad greens, asparagus, cucumber, avocado, 1 1/2 cup strawberries, and chicken; toss to combine.
3. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Sprinkle with nuts.
5. For dressing: add strawberries and orange juice to a blender or food processor; cover and process until smooth; pour puree into a bowl.
6. Add remaining dressing ingredients; stir to combine.
7. Pour dressing over salad; toss to coat.
8. Serve immediately.