If you’re searching for a refreshing and vibrant way to enjoy summer’s bounty, the Strawberry Chicken Salad: A Delicious Summer Recipe is going to be your new go-to dish. Combining juicy, perfectly seasoned chicken with the sweet burst of fresh strawberries, creamy feta, and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette, this salad brings together a harmony of flavors and textures that feel both light and satisfying. It’s a wonderful celebration of seasonal ingredients that’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or entertaining guests on warm days when you want something bright and nourishing.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simple yet essential ingredients. Each one is selected not only for its flavor but also for how it adds color, crunch, and freshness to the salad. From the tender chicken to the crisp greens, and the sweet strawberries to the nutty almonds, every element has a special role that makes this dish unforgettable.
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Lean protein that becomes juicy and tender when baked with spices.
- 1 tbsp olive oil: Helps create a flavorful, crispy outer layer on the chicken.
- 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper: Simple seasoning basics that enhance the chicken and vegetables.
- 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp onion powder: Adds depth and smoky warmth to the chicken’s flavor.
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced: Sweet, juicy pops that bring summer’s best to every bite.
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese: A creamy, salty contrast that complements strawberries and greens perfectly.
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion: Adds a mild sharpness and crunch.
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil: Brings an aromatic, herbaceous brightness.
- 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds: Introduces a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor.
- 5 cups mixed greens (spring mix, spinach, romaine): A vibrant base packed with nutrients and texture variety.
- 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar: The foundation of the luscious, tangy dressing.
- 1 tbsp honey: Naturally sweetens and balances the acidity in the dressing.
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard: Adds a subtle zing and helps emulsify the dressing.
- 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper: Final seasoning touches to round out the vinaigrette.
How to Make Strawberry Chicken Salad: A Delicious Summer Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Season the Chicken
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for a perfectly cooked chicken. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels – this helps the seasoning stick and the chicken brown beautifully. Then, mix olive oil with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder to create a fragrant spice rub. Slather this mixture evenly over the chicken breasts for maximum flavor.
Step 2: Bake the Chicken to Juicy Perfection
Place the seasoned chicken in a baking dish, spacing the breasts apart to allow even cooking. Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption. After baking, let the chicken rest for 10 minutes to lock in all those delicious juices before slicing it into bite-sized pieces.
Step 3: Whisk Together the Zesty Vinaigrette
While your chicken is baking and resting, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk everything together vigorously until the dressing is emulsified—smooth, glossy, and bursting with flavor. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking; this vinaigrette will tie the entire salad together beautifully.
Step 4: Assemble the Salad Components
In a large bowl, gently toss the mixed greens with the sliced strawberries, crumbled feta cheese, chopped red onion, and fresh basil. Each ingredient adds a unique flair, building layers of color, flavor, and texture. Next, add the warm, sliced chicken on top, elevating this from a simple salad to a complete and satisfying meal.
Step 5: Dress and Finish the Strawberry Chicken Salad: A Delicious Summer Recipe
Drizzle your homemade vinaigrette over the salad in batches, tossing lightly to coat everything evenly but delicately. Just before serving, sprinkle toasted slivered almonds for that irresistible crunch. This final touch not only enhances texture but also adds a toasty, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the juicy strawberries and savory chicken.
How to Serve Strawberry Chicken Salad: A Delicious Summer Recipe
Garnishes
Feel free to dress up the salad with extra fresh basil leaves for a herbal finish or scatter a few more toasted almonds on top for added texture. If you like a bit of extra zest, a small sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper right before serving can really wake up the flavors.
Side Dishes
This salad is quite a complete meal on its own, but if you want to serve it alongside something, think about crusty artisan bread or warm garlic rolls to complement the light and fresh vibe. For a more substantial feast, a creamy soup like chilled cucumber or a simple gazpacho would harmonize beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re bringing this to a picnic or serving guests, try layering the salad ingredients in a clear glass bowl or individual mason jars for a fun, visual presentation. You can also serve the chicken on a bed of greens with the strawberry and feta mixture spooned on top as a composed plate. Either way, the stunning colors will impress everyone!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep the leftover Strawberry Chicken Salad: A Delicious Summer Recipe fresh, store the chicken and salad components separately, if possible. Greens dressed in vinaigrette will wilt quickly, so keep the dressing on the side. Refrigerate everything in airtight containers and consume within 2 days for the best texture and flavor.
Freezing
This salad is best enjoyed fresh, so it’s not ideal for freezing once assembled. However, you can freeze the cooked chicken breasts before assembling the salad. Wrap them tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently.
Reheating
Reheat the chicken breasts gently in the oven or microwave until just warmed through. Avoid overheating to keep them tender and juicy. Once warmed, slice and add to freshly tossed greens and strawberries for a salad that tastes like it was made just moments ago.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries for this salad?
Fresh strawberries are preferred because they maintain their shape and texture better, adding a crisp, juicy pop. Frozen strawberries tend to become mushy when thawed, which can affect the salad’s overall texture.
What type of greens work best in the salad?
A mix of spring mix, spinach, and romaine works wonderfully because it balances tender leaves with a little crunch. Feel free to experiment with arugula or kale for added peppery notes and texture.
Is it possible to make this salad vegetarian?
Absolutely! You can omit the chicken and add more toasted almonds or even grilled halloumi cheese for protein. The strawberries, feta, and vinaigrette will still shine brilliantly making it a delightful summer dish.
How long should I marinate the chicken for extra flavor?
While this recipe uses a dry rub and bakes the chicken straight away, you can marinate the chicken for 30 minutes to 2 hours in the spice and olive oil mixture if you have time. It intensifies the flavor and results in extra juicy meat.
Can I prepare the vinaigrette in advance?
Yes! The dressing can be made several hours or even a day before serving. Store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator and whisk or shake it briskly before drizzling over the salad to bring back its emulsified texture.
Final Thoughts
The Strawberry Chicken Salad: A Delicious Summer Recipe is a joyful celebration of fresh ingredients and simple techniques that result in extraordinary flavor. It’s a dish that’s as beautiful as it is tasty and perfect for bringing summer to your table. I can’t wait for you to try it and see how the sweet, savory, and crunchy elements come together in perfect harmony. Trust me, this salad will quickly become a cherished favorite, just like it is for me!
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Strawberry Chicken Salad: A Delicious Summer Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Strawberry Chicken Salad is a fresh and flavorful summer dish featuring tender baked chicken breasts, juicy strawberries, crunchy toasted almonds, and tangy feta cheese, all tossed in a vibrant balsamic vinaigrette. It’s a perfect light yet satisfying meal for warm weather.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
Salad
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds
- 5 cups mixed greens (spring mix, spinach, romaine)
Vinaigrette Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the chicken breasts.
- Prepare chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to ensure the seasoning sticks well.
- Mix seasoning: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, and 1/4 tsp onion powder to create a flavorful spice rub.
- Season chicken: Rub the spice mixture evenly all over each chicken breast.
- Arrange chicken: Place the seasoned chicken breasts in a baking dish, making sure to leave some space between them for even cooking.
- Bake chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), checking with a meat thermometer.
- Rest chicken: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing into bite-sized pieces to retain juices.
- Make vinaigrette: While the chicken cooks and rests, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the dressing and adjust salt and pepper if needed for balanced flavor.
- Assemble salad base: In a large bowl, gently combine 5 cups mixed greens, sliced strawberries, crumbled feta, chopped red onion, and fresh basil.
- Add chicken: Incorporate the sliced chicken pieces into the salad bowl.
- Dress salad: Drizzle the prepared vinaigrette over the salad, adding more to taste, and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Add almonds: Sprinkle the toasted slivered almonds on top of the salad for a delightful crunch.
- Serve: Serve the strawberry chicken salad immediately for optimal freshness and flavor.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is safely cooked but remains moist.
- Letting the chicken rest after baking helps retain its juices, improving texture and flavor.
- Feel free to substitute slivered almonds with pecans or walnuts for a different nutty flavor.
- The salad can be prepared ahead by baking the chicken and refrigerating it separately; toss together just before serving.
- For a lower-calorie version, reduce the amount of feta cheese or substitute with a lighter cheese option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
