- 8 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed of fat
- 2 tablespoons walnut or canola oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse-grained mustard
- 1 1/2 teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 1 (8 ounce) can whole beets, drained and quartered
- 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped pecans, toasted (see Tip)
- Place chicken in a small skillet or saucepan and add enough water to cover; bring to a simmer over high heat. Cover, reduce heat and simmer gently until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the middle, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board. When cool enough to handle, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
- Meanwhile, whisk oil, syrup, vinegar, mustard, soy sauce, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Reserve 2 tablespoons dressing in a small bowl. Add spinach to the large bowl; toss to coat with dressing. Divide the spinach between 2 plates, top with the chicken, beets, goat cheese and pecans. Drizzle with the reserved vinaigrette.