Beet Salad with Chicken

Beet Season is here, and this vibrant Beet Salad with Chicken is the perfect meal prep option for quick and nutritious lunches all week long. This delicious salad is a combination of roasted beets, seared chicken, bright pomegranate and a simple homemade dressing. It's packed with nutrient-dense ingredients, making it a healthy and anti-inflammatory meal. This simple salad is easy to prepare and perfect for those busy weeknights! It's kid-friendly and a great way to get in lots of colors and plant points. I have been LOVING beets lately so I am especially excited to share this salad with you. I am also obsessed with the homemade honey lemon garlic dressing that I make! If you love this salad, you will also love my Fall Salad with Apple, Creamy Mango Chicken Salad and Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad.

How to Prepare Beets

Roasting beets is hands-down the best way to prepare them. Here's why:

• Flavor Enhancement: Roasting intensifies the natural sweetness of beets and brings out a delicious earthiness.   
• Easy Peeling: This is the real game-changer! Once roasted, the skins of the beets slip off incredibly easily. No more stubborn scrubbing or struggling to peel them.
• Versatility: Roasted beets can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to soups to sides.   

Here's a simple guide to roasting beets:

1. Prep the Beets:
   • Wash the beets thoroughly under cold water, scrubbing to remove any dirt.
   • Trim off the stems and any long taproots.
2. Roast:
   • Wrap each beet individually in foil.   
   • Place the wrapped beets on a baking sheet.   
   • Roast in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 45-60 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork.
   • Larger beets may take longer.   
3. Cool and Peel:
   • Remove the beets from the oven and let them cool slightly.   
   • Unwrap the foil and let the beets cool completely.
   • The skins should now slip off effortlessly.

Tips:

• For extra flavor, add a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper to the foil before wrapping the beets.
• You can also roast beets without wrapping them, but the skins might be a bit more difficult to remove.
• Roasted beets can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.   

Enjoy your perfectly roasted beets!

Why You'll Love This Salad

This salad is bright, fresh and packed with flavor.

This dish is a great way to get in tons of nutrients and plants!

It makes for the perfect weeknight dinner or lunch meal prep.

This salad is super easy to make!

The homemade dressing is so delicious.

It is made with wholesome ingredients!

This beet salad with chicken is kid-friendly!

Equipment Needed

All you need to make this salad is a cutting board, knife and bowl.

Ingredients Needed

Arugula: I used arugula for the base of this salad!

Mint: Mint adds delicious flavor and depth to this beet salad with chicken!

Quinoa: Quinoa adds texture to this delicious salad.

Chicken: I added chicken breast to this salad for protein!

Beets: Beets are the star of this salad! Beets provide an earthy sweetness that add depth and complexity to this salad.

Pomegranate Seeds: They provide a burst of sweet-tart flavor that perfectly complements the earthy sweetness of the beets.

Red Onion: It provides a sharp, pungent bite that cuts through the sweetness of the beets, creating a delicious flavor contrast. It also adds a crunch to the salad.

Dressing: This easy dressing is made from just 4 ingredients! I used garlic, honey, olive oil and lemon to make a simple dressing that is packed with flavor and better ingredients than any store-bought dressing!

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1: Gather your ingredients.

Step 2: Combine all ingredients in a bowl.

Step 3: Make dressing and pour over salad! Enjoy!

Storage

Store this beet salad with chicken for 4-5 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. If you are meal prepping the salad for the week, store the dressing separately until you are going to eat it!

Variations

Protein: I added chicken breast to this salad for protein. You can also add a different protein! Try out salmon, grilled shrimp, tofu or hard-boiled eggs.

Carb: I used quinoa in this salad. You could also mix things up and try adding brown rice or wild rice.

Produce Feel free to add additional vegetables or fruits! I love adding cucumber, radishes, bell peppers, avocado, apples, blueberries or anything else I have on hand!

Dressing: I used a homemade honey lemon garlic dressing, but feel free to try a store-bought dressing as well!

How to Serve

Here are a few ways to serve your beet salad:

• As a Side Dish:
  • Serve alongside grilled fish, chicken, or steak.   
  • Pair it with roasted vegetables or a grain bowl.
• As a Main Course:
  • Add extra protein like grilled shrimp or tofu to make it a satisfying and filling meal.
• As a Light Lunch or Dinner:
  • Enjoy it on its own for a refreshing and healthy meal.
• As an Appetizer:
  • Serve individual portions in small bowls or on crostini.

Recipe FAQ

What are the benefits of beets?

Beets are rich in nitrates, which the body converts into nitric oxide. Nitric oxide relaxes and widens blood vessels, improving blood flow and lowering blood pressure. The increased blood flow from nitrates can improve exercise performance by delivering more oxygen to muscles. Beets contain anti-inflammatory compounds that can help reduce inflammation throughout the body.

What else can I add to this salad? 

Feel free to add additional proteins to this salad like salmon or steak! You can also add extra fruits and vegetables!

What meat goes well with beets?

I like to pair grilled chicken with beets in this salad!

Is beet salad good for you?

Beets have so many benefits and prioritizing fresh foods and a variety of colors can be beneficial for your health!

Can you eat beets raw in salad?

Yes, beets can be eaten raw! I prefer to roast them though.

Related Recipes

Be sure to try these delicious meal prep ideas next:

Easy Teriyaki Chicken Meal Prep

Blueberry White Chocolate Oatmeal Bake

Buffalo Chicken Bake

Chicken Apple Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner

Creamy Mango Chicken Salad

If you make this beet salad with chicken and love it, I would really appreciate a 5 star review! I also love seeing your creations so please tag me on Instagram or TikTok.