Brown Rice Salad with Chicken, Asparagus and Spinach

I love salads.  I especially love them when they are a meal with protein, starch and vegetable all in one.  This is that.  This is a great thing to make ahead and store in individual servings in your fridge.  It is so versatile, too.  Don't like sun dried tomatoes?  Substitute with roasted red peppers!  Have kalamata olives laying around?  Throw 'em in there!  Arugula instead of spinach?  Yes, please!  Quinoa or orzo in place of the brown rice?  You got it!  I think you get my drift.  Lunch, DONE!

3 c. brown rice, cooked according to package directions
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast diced and cooked (I sauteed mine in a little bit of olive oil and seasoned it with salt and pepper)
1 bunch broiled asparagus *
1 (3.8 oz) can diced black olives
1 (3 oz.) package julienned sun dried tomatoes
6 oz. baby spinach
3 T. freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 T. extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and toss to combine.  Taste for seasonings and add salt and pepper as needed.

This would be a great side to serve with any grilled meats too - just leave out the chicken!

*http://thefoodyouwanttoeat.blogspot.com/2013/03/broiled-asparagus.html

Serves 4 as a main dish (554 calories each) according to my calculator on loseit.com (these are large servings!)