I have no trouble getting my kids to eat. In fact, sometimes the challenge is to get them to stop eating. My boys could eat all day, everyday if I let them. The only problem I have is sometimes getting them to add some variety to their routine. They love tacos, chicken nuggets and spaghetti. If I let them choose our dinners we’d rotate those three every night! That’s just not going to work for me.
Since we went a little crazy with the sweets this holiday season I really wanted to start out things on a healthy foot this year. Plus, because my boys are big into habit and routine, I knew that if I could get them to like a few healthier meal options they would be all for eating them with in a few months. I’ve started making smoothies for snacks and they LOVE those! (I’ll be sharing my new favorite recipe at the end of this week) and switching things up at breakfast. They usually have eggs and toast and now we have those 3 days a week, oatmeal for 2 days and bigger breakfasts on the weekend. I’ve also started adding more greens at dinner time.Ā
Green beans were an instant favorite, and they liked zucchini too. Then I tried a salad; no way! “Mom this tastes like ca-ca” were Rohrl’s exact words. I have become a fan of salads recently and I don’t really like the idea of creating multiple meals for dinner so I knew I had to make salads more appealing to my boys. I decided to take some of their favorite foods and add them to salad. There was no way I was going to add spaghetti but I knew I could add the others. I threw everything together and watched their faces as they took their first bites. They liked it, they even asked for seconds! Paired with theĀ citrus vinaigretteĀ I shared last weekend and some diced chicken this salad only takes a few minutes to put together and won’t last much longer than that.Ā
Southwest Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 6 cups romaine lettuce
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 cup diced chicken I used 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1/2 cup black beans drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup avocado sliced into small, bite sized pieces
- 1/4 cup corn
- 1/4 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup shredded cheese I use a Mexican Three Cheese Blend
- Citrus Vinaigrette
Instructions
- Wash lettuce and spinach and mix together in a large bowl.
- Add in remaining ingredients and toss to combine.
I think the dressing had a lot to do with their liking the lettuce part of the salad, they both asked for more “juice” as the call it. That being said they did eat everything. Statham’s favorite was definitely the corn and Rohrl loved the avocado and black beans. Because it’s so quick and easy to make this is going on our lunch menu too. This is, hopefully, the first of many healthy alternatives to some of my kids’ favorite foods. What are some of your kid’s favorite foods? I’d love to get some more ideas of favorites I can turn into healthier choices.
Suryatapa says
This is a good recipe! I am keen to try out. Thanks for sharing š
Sydney says
Thanks so much!
Terri says
I have been looking for some new salads and I believe this one will be tried this coming week by me, it looks so delicious
Sydney says
Thanks Terri! Let me know how it turns out.
Stephanie Keeping says
This sounds amazing and healthy! I love the different ways you can spice up a plain old salad.
Sydney says
Thank Stephanie! You can never go wrong with salad!
Cierra says
love the pics, I love salad, not sure what age I started but is great your starting young š
Sydney says
Thanks Cierra! I grew up never eating salad and HATED it up until a few years ago. I’m hoping that doesn’t happen to my boys.
Sharon says
Chicken salads, well…all salads, are hugely popular in our house. Love your southwestern addition to it
Sydney says
We love chicken salads too!
Rosey says
Yep, pretty sure my family would love this, kids included. Thank you for the awesome share.
Sydney says
Thank you so much Rosey!
Erin says
This looks so delicious! One of my kids is a big salad lover, the other not so much (but does like Chicken). So I’m thinking the WOULD actually eat this. I am going to give it a try. Thanks for the great recipe!
Sydney says
Thank you so much Erin! You’ll have to let me know what the kids think.
agatapokutycka says
It looks lovely. I am a huge fan of a chicken salad and actually planning one for tomorrow š
Sydney says
Thank you so much!
Taya Elery says
Kids do like simple! Love this has avocado in it.
Sydney says
Thanks Taya! The avocado was my boys’ favorite part I think!
Lisa Rios says
Spinach with chicken sounds different. Looks healthy and delicious as well. I really love the recipe. Will have to try this for my kids. I am sure they would enjoy this. Thanks for sharing.
Sydney says
Thank you Lisa. Yes it was different from our usual salad too but my boys devoured it!