Strawberry Chicken Salad

Why You'll Love Chicken and Strawberry Salad

Hey, strawberry lovers, you'll really enjoy this recipe! Whether you have garden-fresh strawberries to use up or you snagged a bunch on sale, chicken strawberry salad is both sweet, salty, earthy, tangy, and filling.

It's the mix of ingredients that makes this salad stand out. Whether you call it Strawberry Almond Salad, Avocado Strawberry Salad, or Strawberry and Feta Salad, this is a winner for a light lunch or dinner any time of year.

Why This is the Best Strawberry Salad Recipe

Quick and Easy - when you start with a rotisserie chicken. It can be on the table in less than 30 minutes. What mom wouldn't love that?

Healthy - The added chicken makes this strawberry and feta salad chock full of lean protein, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fat.

Delicious - This salad covers all the bases with a mix of everyone's favorite fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

This strawberry and feta salad is the perfect light meal for the warm weather of spring and summer!

Ingredients

For the chicken strawberry salad:

• Mixed greens - or opt for arugula, romaine or kale
• Crispy cooked bacon
• Cucumber
• Yellow bell pepper
• Cooked chicken - use a rotisserie chicken for a quicker, easier salad
• Fresh strawberries
• Avocado - add right before serving to prevent browning and mushiness
• Crumbled feta - or sub in goat cheese or blue cheese
• Slivered almonds - candied for added sweetness and crunch
• Poppy Seed dressing

The bacon, which can also be sprinkled on top, is totally optional but it gives the salad a little salty taste which is a nice addition to the sweetness.

For the poppy seed dressing:

• Olive oil
• White wine vinegar - champagne vinegar can also be used
• Sugar - or opt for honey
• Dried mustard - or substitute 2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard
• Poppy Seeds
• Shallot
• Salt - to enhance flavor
• Yogurt - or sub in mayonnaise to make it more creamy

I love the tangy flavor the poppy seed dressing adds to the freshness of the salad but really any nice light dressing will work. Other choices are raspberry vinaigrette, balsamic dressing, and strawberry poppy seed dressing.

How to Make Strawberry Chicken Salad

For the salad:

1. Place the chicken, sliced strawberries, cucumber, bell pepper, avocado, feta cheese, bacon, and candied almonds in a large bowl.

2. Toss well.

For poppy seed dressing:

1. In a medium bowl or a mason jar with a lid, mix oil, vinegar, sugar, dried or Dijon mustard, and salt. Add in yogurt or mayonnaise.
2. Add grated shallots.
3. Pour in poppy seeds.
4. Whisk or shake well.

Drizzle the poppy seed dressing over a serving of plated salad for the perfect finishing touch.

Make Ahead

Chop and prepare all the individual ingredients and store them in separate containers in the fridge.

Then when you're ready to make the salad, all you have to do is put everything in a bowl and toss the salad.

Recipe Variations

Like with any salad, this one can be made to suit your taste. Here are some ways to change up this salad:

• Chicken: Leftover chicken breast, grilled chicken, roasted chicken, or canned chicken.
• Cheese: Goat, feta, blue cheese, cheddar cheese, or Monterey jack.
• Dressing: Poppy seed, balsamic, red wine vinaigrette, or strawberry dressing.
• Lettuce: Arugula, kale, romaine, spinach, or a combination of lettuces.
• Nuts: Pecan or walnut. Or make candied almonds (see the recipe card below) or candied pecans.
• Toppings: Omit toppings you don't care for or add ones you enjoy on a salad. Croutons would add a little crunch.

What to Serve with Strawberry Chicken Salad

This healthy strawberry salad with chicken is great for lunch or dinner. To complete the meal, here are some ideas:

• Bread: Air Fryer Bread, Rosemary Bread, or Homemade French Bread
• Soup: Sweet Potato Butternut Squash Soup or Tomato Basil Soup

How to Store Leftover Lettuce Chicken Salad

It's best to store this salad without the dressing. Dressed salads tend to wilt and get soggy.

So if you're planning to keep some for later, only add the dressing to what you'll be eating. Also, avocado turns dark so it's a good idea to remove any pieces and then add fresh avocado slices right before eating the leftover salad.

Keep leftover chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

More Fruity Salad Recipes

• Honeydew Peach Salad
• Pear and Rocket Salad
• Pomegranate Orange Salad
• Strawberry and Blueberry Salad
• Strawberry Spinach Salad
• Waldorf Salad
• Watermelon Salad

Find lots of healthy salad recipes here on 2CM!