This strawberry chicken salad is just as easy as it is refreshing. Packed with protein and dynamic flavor, this is the healthy lunch that you’ll want to come back to again and again. 

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Strawberry chicken salad in a speckled bowl with a small bowl dressing in front
Table of Contents
  1. Easy Strawberry and Chicken Salad
  2. Ingredients Needed
  3. How to Make Strawberry Chicken Salad
  4. Variations
  5. Expert Tips
  6. Strawberry Salad Recipe Recipe

Easy Strawberry and Chicken Salad

As the weather warms up and spring rolls in, nothing tastes better than an easy strawberry and chicken salad. 

In my opinion, a delicious salad should not only be fresh and simple; it should also be packed with diverse textures and flavors that make each bite more interesting than the last. There’s really nothing worse than a salad that lacks intrigue. It might sound silly, but really – after the third bite of a salad that’s all greens and croutons, I’d rather just stop. 

Luckily, you won’t find that problem here. This recipe brings savory, sweet, and sour flavors together and marries them with juicy, crunchy, oily textures to make for the healthy lunch you’ll find yourself gravitating toward over and over again. With nutty sunflower seeds, sweet yet tart dried cherries, tangy balsamic vinaigrette, hearty chicken breast, and succulent strawberries, each bite is a unique, refreshing experience. 

Ingredients Needed

  • Strawberries – fresh, diced
  • White balsamic vinegar
  • Olive oil – extra virgin
  • Honey
  • Kosher salt
  • Ground pepper – fresh
  • Mixed baby greens
  • Chicken breasts – sliced
  • Strawberries – fresh, sliced
  • Mild white cheddar cheese – shredded
  • Sunflower seeds – unsalted

How to Make Strawberry Chicken Salad

  • Make vinaigrette: In a small bowl, mix together all ingredients for the vinaigrette. Whisk well and set aside. 
  • Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, combine all salad ingredients. 
  • Drizzle: Whisk your vinaigrette once again and drizzle it over the salad. 
  • Toss: Toss the salad with the vinaigrette until all ingredients are well mixed and lightly coated in dressing. 
  • Divide: Separate the salad into two bowls and serve. 
brown bowl with strawberry chicken salad

Variations

One of the best things about salads is that they’re so customizable. Not feeling chicken today? No worries, swap it out for steak! Strawberries not in season? Maybe blackberries are! Check out some of my favorite variations of this go-to recipe:  

  • Different fruits: Blueberries, blackberries, apples, raspberries, and mandarins are all great fruits to toss in your salad with balsamic vinegar. Just be sure to choose fruit that’s perfectly ripe to avoid sourness and sliminess.
  • Different proteins: Chicken is often the most popular protein for salads, but seared steak and crispy tofu are also great options for this recipe!

Expert Tips

  • This recipe is super easy to make ahead! Just be sure to store the dressing and salad in separate airtight containers and store it in the fridge. Toss the salad in the dressing just before serving. 
  • This salad is a great option for large groups. While this recipe is intended for two servings, you can easily double, triple, quadruple, etc. this recipe in order for it to serve a larger group. 
Two bowls of strawberry chicken salad with a light blue cloth in between them

FAQs

How long does leftover salad last?

Undressed salad will last in the fridge for up to a week in an airtight container. 

What store bought dressings would be good on this salad?

Any balsamic vinaigrette will do well in this salad, just be sure to add your salt, pepper, and strawberries. 

brown bowl with strawberry chicken salad and a row of uncut strawberries in front of the bowl

Strawberry Salad Recipe

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Yield 2 servings

Ingredients
 

Fresh Strawberry Vinaigrette

  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, diced
  • 1 Tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

Salad

  • 4 cups mixed baby greens,
  • 2 grilled chicken breasts, sliced
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
  • 1/2 cup mild white cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 4 Tablespoons dried cherries,
  • 4 Tablespoons unsalted sunflower seeds,

Instructions

Fresh Strawberry Vinaigrette

  • Combine all ingredients in a small bowl
  • Whisk well until fully combined and set aside (you will likely have to whisk it once more before dressing the salad as it may separate).

Strawberry Salad

  • Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
  • Give the vinaigrette a quick whisk and drizzle over the salad.
  • Toss until everything is mixed together and lightly coated in the dressing.
  • Divide the salad between two large bowls and serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

You an easily make this ahead and store in the refrigerator for up to a week in an air tight container. Be sure to store the dressing in a separate container and dress the salad just before serving.
Nutritional information not guaranteed to be accurate
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Author Mel
Keyword strawberry salad recipe

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