Chicken, Spinach, and Grape Pita

As a nutritious food to include on your grocery list, grapes contain more than 1,600 natural plant compounds such as antioxidants and other polyphenols. They also contain about 82% water, so they provide important fluids for hydration, which is also critical to a healthy immune system.

Grapes can be enjoyed as a healthy snack or an immune-boosting ingredient in recipes like Chicken, Spinach and Grape Pita sandwiches. Each provides a mix of immune-supporting nutrients, including zinc in chicken, vitamins A and C in kale, polyphenols in grapes and other important nutrients in the salmon, walnuts and barley.

How to make Chicken, Spinach, and Grape Pita

Servings: 4

• 2 tablespoons pine nuts
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons minced shallot
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon ground sumac
• salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 package (5-6 ounces) fresh baby spinach, washed and dried
• 1 1/2 cups shredded, cooked chicken (about 8 ounces)
• 1 cup red California grapes, sliced
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 4 whole-wheat pita breads (6 1/2 inches each), warmed and halved

1. In small skillet over medium-high heat, toast pine nuts, stirring constantly until toasted, about 5 minutes.
2. Transfer to bowl and let cool.
3. In large bowl, whisk lemon juice, shallot, olive oil, red pepper flakes, sumac, salt and pepper.
4. Add spinach, chicken, grapes, feta and pine nuts; toss to mix. Stuff into pita breads and serve.

Nutritional information per serving: 445 calories; 24 g protein; 46 g carbohydrates; 20 g fat (39% calories from fat); 5 g saturated fat (10% calories from saturated fat); 57 mg cholesterol; 658 mg sodium; 6 g fiber.

Options:

Everyone knows that spinach is good for you!  It provides Vitamins A, C, and K1, as well as protein, fiber, Iron, Folic Acid, and calcium. But maybe change it up and add some artichokes. They provide fiber AND protein and are packed with nutrients, Vitamins C and K, Magnesium, Potassium, and Iron just to name a few!  Try adding canned whole artichoke hearts stored in water. You can also use the quartered hearts in a can. Frozen artichoke hearts work great too, just thaw them before you start the recipe.

SOURCE: California Table Grape Commission