If you are looking for a refreshing, vibrant, and truly delicious meal that feels like a breath of fresh air, this Strawberry Chicken Salad Recipe is exactly what you need. Combining juicy, sweet strawberries with tender chicken breast, crisp mixed greens, and a perfectly balanced homemade dressing, this salad brings together flavors and textures in perfect harmony. It’s bright, healthy, easy to prepare, and it’s sure to become one of your go-to dishes for lunch, dinner, or even entertaining friends. Trust me, once you try this Strawberry Chicken Salad Recipe, you’ll want to make it again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Strawberry Chicken Salad Recipe is wonderfully simple, yet every ingredient plays an essential role in building layers of flavor, color, and texture that make this dish so special. You’ll find sweet, savory, crunchy, smooth, and tangy elements all balanced just right.
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast (shredded or chopped): The hearty protein base provides substance and richness to the salad.
- 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries (sliced): Adds a juicy burst of sweetness that complements the savory ingredients.
- 5 oz mixed salad greens or baby spinach: Delivers a fresh, crisp foundation and vibrant green color.
- 1/4 cup red onion (thinly sliced): Brings a subtle sharpness that contrasts nicely with the fruit’s sweetness.
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese: Introduces a creamy, tangy flavor that melds beautifully with the strawberries.
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans or sliced almonds (toasted): Toasting nuts enhances their nuttiness and adds a delightful crunch.
- Salt and black pepper to taste: Essential seasonings to balance and elevate the overall flavors.
- For the Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil: Provides a silky texture and richness to coat the salad ingredients evenly.
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar: Adds a gentle acidity and sweetness that ties everything together.
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup: Enhances the natural sweetness without overpowering.
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard: Contributes a subtle depth and slight tang to brighten the dressing.
- Pinch of salt and pepper: Balances the dressing flavors perfectly.
How to Make Strawberry Chicken Salad Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dressing
Start by whisking together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl or jar. Whisk or shake until the dressing emulsifies and becomes smooth, creating a luscious dressing that will coat every bite.
Step 2: Assemble the Salad Ingredients
In a large salad bowl, combine your mixed salad greens or baby spinach with the shredded or chopped cooked chicken. Add the freshly sliced strawberries, thinly sliced red onion, crumbled feta or goat cheese, and toasted nuts. These components combine to deliver that fantastic mix of flavors and textures that make this Strawberry Chicken Salad Recipe so irresistible.
Step 3: Dress and Toss
Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently but thoroughly. The key here is to ensure every leaf, chunk of chicken, and slice of strawberry gets coated without bruising the delicate greens or crushing the berries.
Step 4: Season and Serve
Finish by seasoning with a little extra salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately so you can enjoy the freshness, vibrant colors, and crisp textures at their very best.
How to Serve Strawberry Chicken Salad Recipe
Garnishes
Adding simple garnishes can elevate your Strawberry Chicken Salad Recipe even further. Try a sprinkle of fresh herbs like chopped basil or mint to enhance the fruitiness, or add a few extra crushed nuts on top for an impressive crunch. A few thin lemon zest curls can also add a bright pop that complements the dressing beautifully.
Side Dishes
This salad works wonderfully as a light, standalone meal, but if you want to make it heartier, pair it with a slice of crusty artisan bread or a side of cooked quinoa. These additions help soak up any salad juices and round out your meal with additional texture and sustenance.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve this salad in hollowed-out strawberries or avocado halves to wow your guests at a brunch or luncheon. You can also arrange it on a platter, layering ingredients beautifully to show off the vibrant colors. This Strawberry Chicken Salad Recipe is as lovely to look at as it is to eat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have some leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Keep the salad and dressing separate if possible to prevent the greens and strawberries from turning soggy. The salad is best eaten within 24 hours for maximum freshness.
Freezing
This Strawberry Chicken Salad Recipe is best enjoyed fresh, so freezing is not recommended. Freezing would ruin the texture of the fresh greens and strawberries, leaving the salad watery and unappetizing once thawed.
Reheating
Because this is a no-cook, fresh salad, reheating isn’t necessary. If you want to warm the chicken separately, do so gently in a microwave or skillet, then add it back to fresh salad greens and toppings right before serving.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries for this salad?
It’s best to use fresh strawberries since frozen ones can release too much moisture and make the salad mushy. Fresh strawberries maintain texture and vibrant flavor, which are key to this Strawberry Chicken Salad Recipe.
What can I substitute for feta or goat cheese?
If you’re not a fan of those cheeses, try replacing them with crumbled blue cheese, shredded mozzarella, or even a dairy-free cheese for a similar creamy, tangy element that complements the salad wonderfully.
Is this salad suitable for meal prep lunches?
Yes, with one caveat: keep the dressing and salad separate until you’re ready to eat to maintain crispness. Prep the salad ingredients in advance, store them well, and add dressing just before serving to keep everything fresh.
Can I add other fruits to this salad?
Absolutely! Blueberries, mandarin orange segments, or sliced apples work beautifully as additions or substitutions. They bring their own sweet and tart notes, enhancing the overall flavor without overpowering the original concept of the Strawberry Chicken Salad Recipe.
How can I make this salad vegan?
To veganize this dish, substitute chicken with chickpeas or grilled tofu, replace cheese with a plant-based alternative or omit it altogether, and use maple syrup instead of honey in the dressing. These swaps keep the salad deliciously satisfying while fitting your dietary preferences.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Chicken Salad Recipe is such a delightful way to enjoy a balance of sweet, savory, and fresh flavors all in one bowl. It’s perfect for quick weeknight meals, casual lunches, or impressing friends with something light yet deeply satisfying. Give it a try—once you experience how easy and scrumptious it is, it will surely earn a special place in your recipe collection.
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Strawberry Chicken Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad, Main Course
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This fresh and vibrant Strawberry Chicken Salad combines tender cooked chicken breast with juicy strawberries, mixed greens, crunchy nuts, and tangy cheese, all dressed in a simple homemade balsamic vinaigrette. Perfect for a light, healthy lunch or an easy summer dinner, this salad balances sweet and savory flavors with delightful textures and is quick to prepare without any cooking required.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast (shredded or chopped)
- 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries (sliced)
- 5 oz mixed salad greens or baby spinach
- 1/4 cup red onion (thinly sliced)
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans or sliced almonds (toasted)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined and emulsified. Set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, add the mixed salad greens or baby spinach, cooked chicken breast, sliced strawberries, red onion, crumbled feta or goat cheese, and toasted pecans or sliced almonds.
- Toss the Salad: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently but thoroughly to combine everything evenly without bruising the strawberries or greens.
- Season and Serve: Taste the salad and season with additional salt and black pepper as desired. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh flavors and textures at their best.
Notes
- For a heartier meal, serve with a slice of crusty bread or add cooked quinoa to the salad.
- Using rotisserie chicken is a convenient shortcut to save prep time.
- Feel free to swap pecans for walnuts or other favorite nuts depending on your preference.
- This salad is best served fresh to maintain the crunch and vibrancy of the ingredients.
