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Strawberry Chicken Salad

Strawberry Chicken Salad
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This refreshing Strawberry Chicken Salad combines tender cooked chicken breast with fresh strawberries, mixed greens, tangy cheese, and crunchy nuts, all tossed in a lightly sweet balsamic vinaigrette. Ready in under 20 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick, healthy lunch or light dinner that balances sweet, savory, and crisp flavors effortlessly.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or sliced
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 4 cups mixed salad greens
  • 1/2 cup feta or goat cheese, crumbled
  • 1/4 cup toasted almonds or pecans
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette dressing

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Start with cooked chicken breast, either leftover rotisserie chicken or quickly pan-seared pieces seasoned with salt and pepper. Let it cool slightly, then cut into bite-sized strips or cubes for easy eating.
  2. Wash and Slice the Strawberries: Rinse fresh strawberries thoroughly, then cut off the stems and slice them into halves or quarters depending on their size, making sure they’re ready to mix without overpowering the salad.
  3. Combine Greens and Add Veggies: In a large bowl, place your mixed greens. Add thinly sliced red onions and any other veggies you want to include, tossing lightly to mix everything evenly.
  4. Assemble the Salad Components: Gently toss the greens, onions, and sliced strawberries together. Then add the diced chicken, crumbled feta or goat cheese, and toasted nuts, folding everything with care to preserve the textures.
  5. Dress and Serve: Drizzle balsamic vinaigrette over the salad just before serving for maximum freshness. Toss lightly once more, serve immediately, and enjoy!

Notes

  • Use ripe strawberries: Choose juicy, red, and fragrant strawberries for the best natural sweetness.
  • Pat chicken dry: Moisture-free chicken helps the dressing stick well and keeps the salad from becoming soggy.
  • Toast nuts gently: Warm nuts in a dry skillet until fragrant to boost their crunch and flavor.
  • Chill ingredients: Keep salad components cold until assembly to enhance crispness and refreshment.
  • Dress just before serving: Prevents greens and fruits from wilting or leaking juice prematurely.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry chicken salad, quick salad, healthy lunch, fresh fruit salad, easy dinner, gluten free salad

Find it online: https://sophiemelody.com/strawberry-chicken-salad/