Strawberry Chicken Salad with Poppyseed Dressing
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Jan. 5, 2024
This Strawberry Chicken Salad recipe is a vibrant dish that has everything going for it. Packed with juicy strawberries, tender chicken, and a healthy poppyseed dressing, it’s a salad that’s far from ordinary. We can’t wait for you to try this deliciously balanced blend of flavors!
In This Article
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Why This Recipe Stands Out
Who said salads have to be boring? Our Strawberry Chicken Salad is a game-changer. It’s a perfect blend of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. Here’s why this recipe stands out:
- Fresh and Wholesome: All the ingredients used in this recipe are fresh and wholesome, ensuring a burst of natural flavors in every bite.
- Balanced Flavors: The sweetness of the strawberries perfectly balances the savory flavors as it does in our Strawberry Salad with Asparagus.
- Nutritious: This salad is packed with proteins from the chicken and Greek yogurt, vitamins from the strawberries and spinach, and healthy fats from the avocado and walnuts.
- Easy to Prepare: The recipe is straightforward and can be prepared in a short time, making it the perfect quick lunch recipe.
- Versatile: This salad can be served as a main dish or a side dish, making it versatile for various meals.
- Healthy Dressing: The homemade dressing made with Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, and honey gives the salad a unique and irresistible flavor. Plus, it’s entirely oil-free!
- Perfect for Gatherings: The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled, making it the ideal recipe for parties or family gatherings.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Greek Yogurt – The base of our dressing, plain Greek yogurt adds a creamy, tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the honey and the tartness of the apple cider vinegar.
- Poppy Seeds – These little seeds add a nice crunch and a slightly nutty flavor to our dressing. Make sure they’re fresh for the best taste.
- Chicken Breasts – The star of our salad, we use large chicken breasts pounded to even thickness for a tender, juicy bite.
- Baby Spinach Leaves – These tender leaves form the base of our salad, providing a fresh, slightly bitter contrast to the sweet and tangy dressing.
- Strawberries – Freshly sliced strawberries add a sweet, fruity flavor that pairs beautifully with the savory chicken and tangy dressing.
- Feta Cheese – This cheese adds a salty, tangy flavor that contrasts nicely with the sweet strawberries and creamy dressing.
Substitutions And Variations
This fresh Strawberry Chicken Salad recipe is a joy to play around with. As long as the core ingredients remain the same, there are plenty of ways to add your own personal touch to this dish. Let’s explore some of our favorite substitution and variation ideas:
- Vinegar: Instead of apple cider vinegar, you can use white wine vinegar or even balsamic vinegar for a different taste.
- Sweetener: If honey isn’t your thing, try sweetening your dressing with maple syrup or agave nectar, which we also use in our Strawberry Margaritas to sweeten them perfectly.
- Protein: The chicken breasts can be replaced with grilled shrimp or tofu for a plant-based option.
- Greens: Spinach can be swapped with mixed salad greens, kale, or arugula as we add to our Pesto Pasta Salad with Grilled Chicken for a different texture and flavor.
- Cheese: Not a fan of feta? Try goat cheese or blue cheese for a more robust flavor.
- Nuts: If you’re not into candied nuts, try plain nuts like walnuts, pecans, slivered almonds, or even sunflower seeds for a nice crunch to your salad.
- Fruit: Feel free to swap out the strawberries for other berries or even sliced peaches when in season.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Whisk the dressing ingredients together in a bowl; cover and chill. Season chicken and grill until no longer pink in center. Rest 5 minutes before slicing.
- Combine spinach, strawberries, feta cheese, and avocado. Pour dressing onto the salad and toss. Top each serving with chicken and a sprinkling of nuts.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
This strawberry chicken salad is a refreshing and healthy meal that’s perfect for any time of the year. But we have some great tips to make prepping this salad even easier. Take a look at our best prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:
- Dressing: The dressing for this salad can be made in advance. Simply whisk together all the ingredients and store it in a dressing container in the fridge. It can be made a few days ahead of time, so you can have it ready to go when you’re ready to assemble your salad.
- Chicken: The chicken can also be prepped ahead of time. Season and grill the chicken, then let it rest and slice it into strips. You can store the cooked chicken in the fridge for a couple of days until you’re ready to use it.
- Salad: You can also prep the salad ingredients in advance. Wash and dry the spinach leaves, slice the strawberries, and cube the avocado. Store these ingredients separately in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, simply toss them together with the dressing, add the chicken and top with feta cheese and candied nuts.
What To Serve With Strawberry Chicken Salad
Grains
- A side of quinoa or brown rice can add a nice texture contrast and make the meal more filling. They are also a great way to add some extra protein to your meal.
- Couscous or Farro would also be great choices. They are light and fluffy, and can be easily flavored to complement the strawberry chicken salad.
Veggies
- Roasted vegetables like asparagus, bell peppers, or zucchini would go great with strawberry chicken salad. They add a nice savory note to balance the sweetness of the salad.
Sandwiches
- This salad also goes great with a tasty sandwich on the side. Try it with a grilled panini sandwich or some chopped egg and bacon sandwiches for a filling meal.
Commonly Asked Questions
Why do I need to let the chicken rest after grilling?
Letting the chicken rest after grilling allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. This results in a juicier and more flavorful chicken.
Can I use a different type of cheese instead of feta?
Absolutely! While feta cheese adds a tangy flavor to the salad, you can use other types of cheese like blue cheese, goat cheese, or even cheddar if you prefer.
How do I prevent the avocado from browning?
To prevent the avocado from browning, sprinkle it with lime or lemon juice. The acid in the juice slows down the oxidation process, which is what causes the browning.
How long does strawberry chicken salad keep?
This salad is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. However, it’s best to store the dressing separately and add it just before serving to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
Did you make this?
Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!
Strawberry Avocado Chicken Salad (Healthy Poppyseed Dressing)
This Strawberry Avocado Chicken Salad has everything going for it, including a Healthy Oil-free Poppyseed Dressing that’s creamy and scrumptious! All the goodness without the guilt.
Ingredients
For the Dressing:
- ½ cup Greek yogurt, plain, whole
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 TB pure honey, plus more to taste
- 1 TB poppy seeds, be sure they’re fresh
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
For the Salad:
- 2 large chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
- kosher salt
- black pepper, freshly ground
- 4 cups spinach, baby leaves
- 1 cup strawberries, freshly sliced
- ½ cup feta cheese
- 1 whole avocado, semi-ripe sliced or cubed (sprinkle with lime juice to prevent browning)
- ½ cups candied walnuts or pecans, homemade or store-bought
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients with a hand-whisk until thoroughly combined. Transfer to a dressing container; chill until ready to use (can be made ahead of time.)
- Grease outdoor grill or indoor grill pan. Season chicken with a thin layer of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides, pressing to adhere.
- Grill chicken just until nice grill marks appear and no longer pink in center; do not over cook and remove immediately from heat once cooked. Let chicken rest at room temp at least 5 minutes; then slice into strips.
- In a large serving bowl, combine spinach leaves, sliced strawberries, feta cheese, and avocado slices. Pour desired amount of dressing onto salad and gently toss to combine. Divide salad into individual serving plates, topped with sliced chicken and candied nuts. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Always ensure your Greek yogurt is plain and whole for the dressing. This will give your dressing a creamy texture and a tangy flavor that complements the sweetness of the strawberries and honey.
- Use fresh poppy seeds in your dressing. They add a nice crunch and a slightly nutty flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients.
- When preparing your chicken, pound it to even thickness before grilling. This ensures that it cooks evenly and stays juicy.
- Add candied walnuts or pecans for a sweet crunch. Whether homemade or store-bought, they add a lovely texture and sweetness that contrasts nicely with the savory chicken and tangy dressing.
- Serve your salad immediately after dressing it. This ensures that the spinach leaves stay crisp and the flavors are at their peak.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 358kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 90mg | Sodium: 727mg | Potassium: 748mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 2932IU | Vitamin C: 31mg | Calcium: 211mg | Iron: 2mg
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