Divinely delicous and as healthy as it is easy, this grilled chicken and strawberry salad with strawberry dressing is perfect for a light weeknight dinner will have everyone asking for seconds!
This Chicken & Strawberry Salad Recipe Is A Hit With All Ages
Salads can be a daunting territory especially for young taste buds, but this easy grilled chicken and strawberry salad is guaranteed to entice both salad sceptics and newbies!
Succulent grilled chicken paired with sweet juicy strawberries and you can’t really go too far wrong.
Add the firm bite of Edamame beans, the crunch of walnuts, creamy mozzarella and a fresh strawberry dressing: this delightful summer salad is sure to allure the pickiest of eaters.
Strawberry Chicken Salad Recipe Ingredients
Ingredients for 2 chicken and strawberry salads (also in recipe card below):
4 Chicken Tenders – succulent chicken tenders turn any salad into a filling and satisfying meal, rather than a side. Grilled chicken is the tastiest, adding a charred smoky flavor, but leftover rotisserie chicken or other cooked chicken will work.
4-5 Handfuls Red leaf lettuce (e.g. Ruby, Red Fire, Red Sails, Royal Red, Lolla Rosa) – we love the red leaf lettuce for it’s vibrant color. These lettuces are particularly high in the antioxidants anthocyanin, beta carotene, and vitamin C.
1/2 Cup Edamame – brings a nutty flavor and a satisfying firm texture, while also providing a good source of plant-based protein.
12 Cup Cubed Mozzarella – adds a creamy, mild flavor and a luxurious texture, the ideal cheese for younger palates
2 Tbls Walnut Pieces – walnuts provide a rich, earthy flavor and a satisfying crunch, along with a dose of healthy fats and antioxidants.
2 Cups Fresh Strawberries Quartered: the star of the show, they add a juicy sweetness and vibrant color that balance the savory elements.
2 Tbls Green Onions – add texture and flavor, these onions are relatively mild and easier to eat for younger palates.
Chicken Seasoning – 1 tsp garlic salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
1-2 Tsp Olive or Vegetable Oil – for cooking chicken
Ingredient Substitutions
This hearty and healthy chicken and strawberry salad was put together with my kids in mind. Like most kids, they’re not brave with new flavors.
Hence this salad has familiar flavors that they love.
But you can easily up the ante for more sophisticated palates by adding a more flavorsome cheese or peppery leaved lettuce. Similarly, you might some milder substitutions:
Chicken Tenders With Any Cooked Chicken
You can use skinless chicken breasts, they’ll just need a little extra prep or longer cooking time.
Switch Mozzarella Cheese For Feta Cheese, Goats, or Blue Cheese
If you want to add a powerful punch and contrast to the sweetness of the strawberries, there are plenty of stronger cheeses to choose from. A creamy goat cheese is divine with strawberries and one of my favorite combos.
Red Lettuce With Other Salad Greens
Lettuce is nutrient dense and will add color and texture to this easy strawberry chicken salad. It’s the anthocyanin antioxidants in red lettuce that give it the lovely reddish purple hue.
However, there are plenty of other leafy greens to consider, including peppery rocket or watercress if you like a little heat. For variety in flavor and texure, grab a spring mix from the grocery store. An iron-rich strawberry spinach salad is also delicious.
Edamame Beans With Peas
It took a while for my youngest to take to edamame so I’d make a version of this easy chicken and strawberry salad with cooked and cooled peas instead.
Walnuts With Chopped Hazelnuts, Almonds or Toasted Pecans
Younger palates may find walnuts a little bitter so opt for other types of nuts they like. Try toasted or honey roasted pecans, sliced almonds or roasted and chopped hazelnuts.
Many nuts are a choking hazard for young children so chop as necessary.
Chicken Strawberry Salad Additions
These make delicious additions, pairing well with both grilled chicken and strawberries:
Avocado Slices: Creamy avocado slices can add richness and a buttery texture so if you love avocado, this is a must. Not all of my kids don’t, so I tend to have this as a side.
Grilled Vegetables: More prep involved but the comforting smoky flavors of grilled or roasted zucchini, bell peppers, or asparagus may well be worth it.
Crispy Chickpeas: Roasted chickpeas seasoned with herbs and spices can add extra crunch and protein.
Blueberries: Full of antixidants and a particular hit with kids, blueberries will enhance the vibrant medley of flavors and colors to this easy chicken and strawberry salad.
Sunflower, toasted pumpkin and/or poppy seeds: An easy way to add extra nutrition and crunch, is to add a sprinkle of your favorite seeds.
Recipe Instructions
Instructions also in recipe card below.
Cook the chicken tenders
We love grilling the chicken, preferably on the outdoor grill in the summer months, cool drink in hand. But you can use a grilling pan, large skillet or medium frying pan.
- Heat your pan or turn your grill on to a medium high heat.
- Place the chicken tenders on a ½ baking sheet, or a plate. Then brush the oil, and sprinkle with the garlic salt and pepper on both sides. Use the tongs to turn the chicken over.
- When hot, place the chicken breast into the grill pan, and cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (the internal temperature should reach 165F if checking with a meat thermometer).
- When done cooking, remove from the pan, and place on a clean plate to rest and cool off a bit while you prep the other salad ingredients.
Top tip: Prep the strawberry salad dressing next and use it as a strawberry marinade for the chicken while you prep and assemble the rest of the salad.
Notes: If using chicken breast you’ll need to cook for a few minutes longer each side. Otherwise cut the breasts lengthways so they’re not as thick.
Prep the salad ingredients
- Tear the lettuce into small pieces, chop the green onion, cube the mozzarella cheese, quarter the strawberries and measure out the edamame and walnut pieces.
- Place in a large bowl and toss to evenly distribute then divide between two smaller serving bowls.
- With a sharp knife, slice the chicken into bite size pieces, and place on top of your salad
- Drizzle with your favorite dressing – we recommend the strawberry dressing recipe below.
Then enjoy this delicious and hearty salad!
Strawberry Chicken Salad Dressing
There are so many beautiful flavors in this healthy salad, that a light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a grind of salt and pepper may be all you want.
A simple balsamic vinaigrette is also delicious. Mix up olive oil and balsamic vinegar in a ratio of 3 to 1 and enjoy your strawberry chicken salad with balsamic dressing,
However, our favorite and, in our opinion, the best dressing for this healthy chicken and strawberry salad has yet more strawberries!
We are a household of strawberry lovers (ever met a kid that doesn’t like strawberries?!)
Strawberry dressing ingredients
All the normal dressing ingredients with the addition of sweet strawberries, blended into a light and fruity drizzle, in a beautiful pinky hue:
- 1 1/2 tblsp white wine vinegar
- 1 tblsp honey or maple syrup
- 2 tbls light olive oil*
- Seasoning – 1/4 tsp kosher salt & 1/8 tsp pepper
- 1.5 cups strawberries
*Use a light oil, or one that you like the flavor of as the oil will impact the flavor of the dressing.
How to make the strawberry dressing
- In a mini food processor, add the strawberries, white wine vinegar, and honey. Pulse until the dressing is smooth,
and no strawberries pieces remain. - Next add the oil, salt & pepper, and pulse another 10 seconds.
- Pour into a mason jar or similar, and it’s ready to be used
Got a sweet treat lined up?
Try one of these delicious options:
Make Ahead & Meal Prep Tips
If you’re looking to cut down your prep time on the day, there are a few things you can do ahead of time.
Chicken
If you don’t have any chicken already cooked, this is a step to do ahead. Grill it, then let the chicken rest and cool for 4-10 minutes before storing in the fridge. Cut into slices when ready to assemble the salad.
Salad components
To make ahead, prep all the ingredients except for the strawberries and keep together in an airtight container in the fridge until needed.
You can wash and hull the strawberries ahead of time but save cutting them up until you’re ready to assemble the salad.
Dressing
The fresher the dressing is the better. So if possible don’t make more than a day ahead.
What to Pair With This Grilled Chicken Strawberry Salad Recipe
Crusty Bread or Rolls: Our favorite side to this delicious grilled chicken and strawberry salad is some crustry bread slathered in butter. Have some at the end unbuttered to soak up any leftover dressing. Delish.
Quinoa or Brown Rice: For a heartier meal, serve the salad over a bed of cooked quinoa or brown rice.
Roasted or Sauteed Potatoes: Crispy herb-roasted potatoes make a delicious and satisfying side dish to this chicken strawberry salad.
Strawberry Chicken Salad Sandwich Anyone?
Strawberries don’t spring to mind when it comes to making sandwhiches, but chicken salad does. And there’s absolutely no reason why you can’t use this strawberry chicken salad for sandwhiches too.
Just chop up the ingredients a little smaller, drizzle and then toss the dressing through, before sandwhiching beetween your favorite bread.
Looking for more healthy lunch or dinner ideas?
Try these:
Easy Italian Mozzarella & Ricotta Cheese Calzone Recipe
Strawberry Chicken Salad
Ingredients
Strawberry Chicken Salad (Gluten Free)
- 4 chicken tenders
- 1- 2 teaspoons olive or vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 4-5 handfuls red leaf lettuce
- 2 tablespoons green onions
- ½ cup edamame
- ½ cup cubed mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons walnuts pieces
- 2 cups strawberries cut into quarters
Strawberry Salad Dressing
- 1 ½ cups or 9 large strawberries
- 1 ½ tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons LIGHT olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
To grill chicken (skip if using cooked chicken)
- Heat the pan on medium high heat.
- Place the chicken on a ½ baking sheet, or a plate. Then brush the oil, and sprinkle with the garlic salt and pepper over them on both sides.
- Place the chicken into the grill pan, and cook 3-4 minutes per side.
- When done cooking, remove from the pan, and place on a clean plate to rest and cool off a bit
To make dressing
- In a mini food processor, add the strawberries, white wine vinegar, and honey.
- Pulse until the dressing is smooth and no strawberries pieces remain.
- Next add the oil, salt & pepper, and pulse another 10 seconds.
- Pour into your jar or jug and it’s ready to be used
To assemble salad
- Tear the lettuce into small pieces
- Add the green onions, edamame, mozzarella cheese, walnut pieces, and strawberries
- Toss to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Slice the chicken in this bite size pieces, and place on your salad
- Drizzle with the strawberry dressing
- Enjoy!
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