If you're craving something light, fresh, and flavorful, this Strawberry Chicken Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Dressing is calling your name. Packed with juicy strawberries, tender chicken, crunchy almonds, and tangy feta, this colorful salad is perfect for spring and summer meals. And the homemade strawberry vinaigrette? Totally worth making from scratch.
Whether you're meal-prepping lunches for the week or serving this as a refreshing dinner, this chicken salad with strawberries and feta will quickly become a favorite!
Strawberry Chicken Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Dressing
Ingredients You'll Need
This easy chicken salad recipe comes together with simple, wholesome ingredients:
For the Salad:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
- 2 cups spring mixed greens, chopped
- 2 cups kale, chopped
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, chopped
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
For the Strawberry Balsamic Dressing:
- 1 cup strawberries
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
How to Make Strawberry Chicken Salad
This healthy chicken salad recipe comes together in just a few easy steps:
1. Make the Strawberry Balsamic Dressing
Combine strawberries, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy. This homemade strawberry vinaigrette can be made and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.
2. Assemble the Salad
Toss the chopped chicken, spring greens, kale, strawberries, cranberries, feta, and almonds in a large salad bowl.
3. Dress It Up
Drizzle the salad with fresh strawberry balsamic dressing, toss gently to coat, and serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Chicken Salad with Strawberries
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the sweetest flavor.
- Massage the kale with olive oil if you prefer a more tender texture.
- Rotisserie or grilled chicken makes this a great quick weeknight salad recipe.
- Add avocado slices for a creamy twist!
What to Serve with Strawberry Chicken Salad
This fruit and greens salad is satisfying on its own, but it also pairs well with:
- Crusty bread or a baguette
- Chilled sparkling water, lemonade, or rosé
- Grilled shrimp or salmon for a protein boost
Salad Variations to Try
- Swap feta for goat cheese or blue cheese for added creaminess.
- Add pecans or walnuts instead of almonds.
- Make it vegetarian by skipping the chicken and adding chickpeas or quinoa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes! Prep the ingredients and store the dressing separately. Combine and toss when ready to serve.
Q: Can I use frozen strawberries for the dressing?
Fresh is best, but thawed frozen strawberries will work in a pinch-drain the extra water.
Q: How long does the homemade strawberry vinaigrette last?
It stays fresh in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Chicken Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Dressing is the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and satisfying. It's ideal for a healthy salad side dish or a vibrant main course full of seasonal flavor.
If you love chicken salad with fruit, this one's a must-try! Pin it, save it, or share it with your fellow salad lovers - it's too good not to!
Strawberry Chicken Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Dressing
Ingredients
For the Salad:
2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
2 cups spring mixed greens, chopped
2 cups kale, chopped
2 cups strawberries, chopped
½ cup dried cranberries
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
¼ cup sliced almonds
For the Strawberry Balsamic Dressing:
1 cup strawberries
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
Instructions
- To make the strawberry balsamic dressing: In a food processor or blender, pulse the strawberries, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, dijon mustard, garlic, salt and pepper until smooth. Set aside.
- In a large bowl toss the chicken, spring mixed greens, kale, strawberries, dried cranberries, feta cheese, and sliced almonds. Toss with dressing or drizzle on top of served portions.
Karletta says
Absolutely delightful to look at and it tastes delicious too. The perfect salad for strawberry season.
May says
I'm not a fan of kale but maybe because I haven't quite found good matches of flavours for it. This looks very promising.
vidya says
love the vibrancy of this salad and since i do have some of the ingredients already, will make myself the veg version of this one for the weekend
SONIA SEIVWRIGHT says
This salad looks like pure sunshine in a bowl! I’ve never thought to put strawberries in a savory dish like this, but now I’m totally intrigued — especially with that strawberry balsamic dressing. It feels like the kind of meal that would make me feel refreshed and a little fancy, even on a regular weekday.
Michelle says
What a delicious-sounding recipe! It sounds like the perfect combo of flavours for the summer season that's right around the corner.
Emily says
I love the idea of adding strawberries into my salad! I need to do this ASAP; it'll be even better when the ones in my garden come in.
Rosey says
That's my kind of salad right now. The weather is perfect salad weather too. We have sweater weather season (LOL) and salad weather season. :). I am laughing because I'm picturing that sweater-weather skit being salad weather now. 😉
Catherine says
I like this salad recipe. It is so simple yet delicious and healthy dish to make for everyone.
Marysa says
My friend made a great strawberry salad at a party about 10 years ago. I would have never thought strawberries would be good on a salad, but it was great! Would love to try your recipe.
Everything Enchanting says
This salad looks absolutely incredible! I love trying out new salad recipes, so will give this a try 😍.
Tara says
Fantastic recipe. I took it to a girls brunch and we all enjoyed it. Love the dressing, I'm making it again.
Aditi says
I am surely making this one tomorrow, love both chicken and strawberries and together they make for an amazing combo.
Melanie E says
This sounds like such a great salad that combines some yummy flavours. I do like the combination of savoury and sweet used here. This would be perfect for a light lunch for me and my friends when they're next over.
Msjane90 says
Wow! This looks so good. I think this is going to be our new favorite salad! Thank you for the recipe.
Kristy Bullard says
I had a similar salad at Dollywood, and it was so good! I'm so glad that I found this similar recipe, so I can make it at home! The strawberry vinaigrette is perfect!
Kathy says
I'm always looking for a different salad to make. I'm going to have to try this one out. It looks so good.
Lavanda Michelle says
This strawberry chicken salad sounds like the perfect spring meal! Can’t wait to try it with that homemade balsamic dressing!
LisaLisa says
This is one of my favorite salads. Over the weekend I had one now I need to grab the ingredients and make my own.
Tara Pittman says
I was searching for a salad to make for dinner. The flavors of this salad sound so delicious.
Beth says
I love the bright, sweet pop of the strawberries with the tangy dressing and the rest of the ingredients. It's really good!
Mow De says
Ooo. That's a clever way to add in flavor and texture! Nutritious - the red makes it appetizing too!
Amber Myers says
I love all things with strawberries, so I know I'll love this. The salad. The dressing. Yes please. What a perfect lunch.