Description
Succulent strawberry chicken salad delivers Mediterranean-inspired freshness with tender grilled chicken and sweet berry notes. Crisp greens, tangy feta, and zesty vinaigrette complete this light, refreshing meal that lets you savor summer’s most delightful flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- 4 cups romaine lettuce
- 3 cups strawberries
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
Toppings:
- 1/4 cup red onion
- 1/4 cup goat cheese
- 1/4 cup almonds
Dressing:
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the vibrant strawberry balsamic dressing by blending fresh strawberries, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy in a food processor.
- Slice the cooked chicken into tender, bite-sized pieces and place in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Add crisp romaine lettuce leaves, halved fresh strawberries, tart dried cranberries, thinly sliced red onion, crumbled goat cheese, and toasted sliced almonds to the chicken.
- Gently toss the salad ingredients to ensure even distribution of flavors and textures.
- Drizzle the prepared strawberry balsamic dressing over the salad, coating the ingredients lightly and evenly.
- For optimal flavor and freshness, serve the salad immediately, allowing the dressing to mingle with the ingredients without becoming soggy.
- Alternatively, serve the dressing on the side, letting diners control the amount of dressing they prefer on their individual portions.
Notes
- Swap chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version that maintains protein content and flavor profile.
- Toast almonds briefly to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the salad texture.
- Create a low-sodium option by reducing salt in dressing and using unsalted almonds for health-conscious diners.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time and store separately to keep salad components fresh and prevent soggy lettuce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 243 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg