Strawberry Salad with Chicken and Poppy Seed Dressing

Name: Strawberry Salad with Chicken and Poppy Seed Dressing
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: mixed greens; 1 small red onion (thinly sliced); 1 pound strawberries (cut into quarters); goat cheese (plain); almond slices; salad topping mix (optional); grilled chicken breast (sliced); 1 pound strawberries (washed and quartered); 1/3 cup olive oil; 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar; 2 tablespoons honey; 1 lemon (freshly squeezed); 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

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This vibrant Strawberry Salad with Chicken and Poppy Seed Dressing brings together sweet berries, tangy goat cheese, and tender grilled chicken with a fresh homemade strawberry poppy seed dressing that’ll make you forget about store-bought forever. It’s the kind of meal that makes you actually enjoy salads!

Strawberry salad with chicken served in a large wooden salad bowl.

Fresh, vibrant, and bursting with seasonal flavors, this strawberry grilled chicken salad recipe proves salads don’t have to be boring! The combination of sweet strawberries, tangy goat cheese, and savory grilled chicken creates a perfect balance of flavors, while the homemade strawberry poppy seed dressing makes it absolutely delicious!

This salad is particularly perfect during strawberry season when the berries are at their sweetest and most flavorful, though it can brighten up any time of year. The make-ahead components (chicken, dressing, and prep work) make it especially convenient for entertaining, and its versatility means you can easily adjust it to your preferences. Unlike most salad recipes, this one is filling enough to eat on its own, or you can serve with a bunch of different sides to accompany it.

Nikki’s Recipe Rundown

Taste: Each component creates an array of flavors, from the sweet strawberries to the tangy goat cheese and creamy, fruity dressing.
Texture: Every bite of this strawberry salad has a mix of crisp greens, juicy berries, crunchy nuts, and tender chicken!
Ease: With a simple assembly and a straightforward homemade dressing that comes together quickly in the blender, this salad is super easy to make.
Pros: Makes a gorgeous salad that can feed a crowd, can prep components ahead, works as a side or main dish, and features seasonal ingredients for maximum flavor.
Considerations: Like most salads, this one doesn’t store well after it has the dressing on it. Be sure to plan ahead and only dress as much salad as you can eat!
Repeat Worthy: Yes! It is easy to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for a light lunch or dinner.

Ingredients Needed for Strawberry Salad with Chicken and Poppy Seed Dressing

Ingredients needed to make strawberry salad with chicken.

Mixed Greens: Choose a blend with different textures and flavors – butter lettuce, arugula, and baby spinach work beautifully!
Red Onion: Adds a sharp bite that balances the sweetness of the strawberries. Rinse the sliced red onion in cold water to reduce the sharp flavor if you prefer.
Strawberries: Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor.
Goat Cheese: For a tangy, creamy flavor.
Almond Slices: Almond slices add a nice crunch and nutty flavor.
Salad Topping Mix: This is optional but adds extra texture and variety. You can typically find this in the store by the dressings and croutons.
Grilled Chicken Breast: For added protein, I add grilled chicken breast to this strawberry salad. You can add rotisserie chicken for ease!

For the Dressing

Labeled photo of ingredients needed to make strawberry poppy seed dressing.

Strawberries: Fresh strawberries lend a great flavor here, but you can use frozen strawberries in the dressing if you prefer.
Olive Oil: Use a high quality olive oil or other neutral oil for the best flavor!
Red Wine Vinegar: For a deep yet tangy flavor.
Honey: Honey balances out the tanginess of the vinegar and lemon juice.
Lemon: For a bright, citrusy flavor!
Poppy Seeds: Poppy seeds add a lovely texture to the dressing!

How To Make the Best Strawberry Salad with Chicken and Poppy Seed Dressing

✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!

Step 1 | Prep the Greens & Chicken

Rinse spring mix lettuce, place it in a large salad bowl.

Season chicken breast with seasoning and cook as desired. Once chicken is fully cooked let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Step 2 | Assemble the Salad

Add the sliced red onions, strawberry quarters, chicken, goat cheese, sliced almonds, and salad toppings to the salad bowl.

Side by side photos of assembling the strawberry salad with mixed greens and red onions in the bowl.

Side by side photos of adding the strawberries and sliced almonds to the salad.

Side by side photos of adding the grilled chicken and cheese to the salad.

Step 3 | Make the Dressing & Enjoy

In a medium bowl add dressing ingredients, except poppy seeds. Use a high-speed blender or food processor to ensure the strawberries are fully pureed and the dressing is smooth.

Side by side photos of strawberry poppy seed dressing before and after being blended.

Stir in poppyseeds after blending to preserve their texture.

Side by side photos of adding the poppy seeds into the strawberry dressing.

Let the dressing rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Drizzle strawberry poppyseed dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly. Serve and enjoy!

Overhead shot of finished strawberry salad with chicken with the dressing on the side.

Recipe Tips

During the summertime, I highly recommend grilling your chicken for a smoky, savory flavor in the salad. Be sure to season your chicken generously with salt and pepper before grilling.
Oftentimes, I will prepare the dressing first so flavors can develop before I grill my chicken and assemble the strawberry chicken salad.
Wait to dress the salad until just before serving! If you dress it too quickly, the greens will wilt.
Slice the strawberries in uniform quarters so that you can get a little strawberry in each bite!

Drizzling the strawberry poppy seed dressing on top of the salad in a wooden bowl.

Variations and Substitutions

Protein: For ease, you can use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken. You can also swap chicken for grilled shrimp or salmon if you prefer.
Cheese: Not a fan of goat cheese? Don’t worry; you can use feta cheese as an alternative or opt for a milder cheese like pearled mozzarella.
Nuts: Any nut or seed would work well here. Try pecans or walnuts instead of almonds.
Greens: Mixed greens offer a variety of flavors and textures, but you can substitute spinach for mixed greens if you prefer.
Dressing: While I love the homemade dressing, you can skip this step and serve it with a balsamic or balsamic vinaigrette, or even buy a store-bought poppy seed dressing.

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Recipe FAQs

Can I make the dressing ahead?

Yes! It keeps well for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. To prep the rest of the salad ahead of time, you can prep the ingredients by slicing the fruits and vegetables, but wait to assemble and dress the salad until just before serving to prevent wilting.

What’s the best oil to use in the dressing?

Light olive oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil are great choices. Avoid strong-flavored oils like extra virgin olive oil, as they can overpower the strawberries.

How do I prevent a soggy salad?

Keep all components separate until ready to serve, and dress just before eating. If you are serving the salad, only dress as much salad as you plan to eat!

Strawberry poppy seed salad served in a white bowl with the rest of the salad behind it.

Storage

Storage: Store all components separately in airtight containers. The dressing will keep for 3 days in the refrigerator, chicken for up to 3 days, and prepared greens for 2-3 days.

If the chicken strawberry salad is already dressed, I recommend eating it on the same day that it was prepared.

What to Serve with Chicken Strawberry Salad

This beautiful strawberry salad can be served on its own or as a side dish! For a light lunch, try serving it with dinner rolls, a slice of crustless spinach quiche, or a bowl of chicken noodle soup. It would also go great with summertime barbecue favorites like baked beans and corn on the cob!

For a heartier meal, serve it as an appetizer to dinners like my big mac tater tot casserole, air fryer hamburgers, or honey chipotle BBQ wings, and homemade strawberry lemonade!

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Strawberry Salad with Chicken and Poppy Seed Dressing

Nikki’s Recipe Rundown