This strawberry salad recipe is such an easy lunch or dinner. You can make it vegetarian or turn it into a strawberry chicken salad by adding leftover chicken – this salad with a simple strawberry dressing is so delicious!

A bowl of fresh salad with sliced grilled chicken, strawberries, dried cranberries, shredded cheese, and sunflower seeds, served on a bed of mixed greens. The bowl sits on a textured gray surface.

In my opinion, a delicious salad should not only be fresh and simple; it should also be packed with textures and flavors that make each bite more interesting than the last. It might sound silly, but really – after the third bite of a salad that’s all greens and croutons, I’d rather just stop. That’s why a Strawberry Chicken Salad is one of my favorites – as soon as spring hits I’m enjoying this salad recipe all season and throughout strawberry season.

This easy salad recipe is packed with different textures from the greens, fresh berries, and crunchy seeds. It even has a fresh strawberry balsamic vinaigrette to add more delicious flavor!

A glass bowl filled with a salad of mixed greens, sliced strawberries, chicken pieces, shredded cheese, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries. Beside it are fresh strawberries, shredded cheese, and a small bowl of greens on a white surface.

How to make Easy Strawberry Salad

It’s important to use fresh strawberries, and beyond that, in season berries, so they’re nice and sweet and flavorful. You’ll need to halve them for the salad and dice them for the dressing.
I use Mixed Baby Greens but you can also make a strawberry spinach salad with just baby spinach, or use romaine or your favorite greens.
I also add sunflower seeds for crunch and shredded white cheddar cheese.
Feel free to add your favorite nuts to this salad: walnuts, almonds, or candied pecans would be fantastic.
The easy dressing is made with white balsamic vinegar (but regular may be substituted) along with honey and extra virgin olive oil (maple syrup can be substituted).
If you want to add protein you can add leftover chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken.

A clear bowl with diced tomatoes in liquid sits on a white surface. Surrounding it are small bowls with strawberries, shredded cheese, and mixed greens. A white and blue striped cloth is nearby.

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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!
Use any cheese – goat cheese or feta cheese are delicious options.
Make it vegan by omitting the cheese and use avocado – the creamy avocado with crunchy lettuce is the perfect combo.
Turn it into a pasta salad by adding your favorite cooked pasta with the salad ingredients, or use quinoa or farro.

Two bowls of fresh salad featuring mixed greens, sliced strawberries, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and pieces of chicken, placed on a light blue cloth. The foreground bowl is in focus, with the background bowl slightly blurred.

Expert Tips

I like to make my dressing in a mason jar – seal and shake to emulsify.
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.
Use store bought dressing to make your life easier!