Description
Strawberry Chicken Salad is a light, refreshing summer dish featuring juicy fresh strawberries, tender cooked chicken, mixed greens, and a tangy-sweet homemade dressing. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or as a side, this salad balances sweet, savory, and creamy flavors with crunchy candied nuts and optional avocado and cheese for an irresistible combination.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped (grilled, roasted, or rotisserie)
- 4 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, or romaine)
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese (optional)
- 1/4 cup candied pecans or walnuts
- 1/2 avocado, sliced (optional)
For the Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Shred or chop cooked chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Leftover grilled or rotisserie chicken works well for extra flavor and convenience.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, place the mixed greens, then layer strawberries, optional red onion slices, crumbled cheese, candied nuts, and avocado slices on top. Add the shredded chicken last.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard (if using), garlic powder (if using), salt, and pepper until smooth. Adjust sweetness or acidity to taste.
- Toss the salad: Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Serve: Serve immediately for the freshest taste and enjoy the vibrant flavors and textures.
Notes
- Grilled chicken adds a smoky flavor; season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and lemon juice before grilling.
- Add other fruits like sliced oranges, blueberries, or raspberries for more fruitiness.
- For a vegan/vegetarian option, replace chicken with roasted chickpeas or grilled tofu and use dairy-free cheese.
- If making ahead, keep dressing separate and store salad ingredients (except avocado) in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Serve with whole-grain rolls or crusty bread to make it more filling.
