Strawberry Chicken Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Dressing Recipe
A vibrant and refreshing Strawberry Chicken Salad featuring tender cooked chicken, fresh romaine, sweet strawberries, dried cranberries, tangy goat cheese, and crunchy almonds, all tossed in a homemade strawberry balsamic dressing that brings a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. This easy-to-make salad is ideal for a light lunch or dinner and takes just 15 minutes to prepare.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Salad
- 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
- 4 cups romaine, chopped
- 2 cups strawberries, chopped
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup red onion, sliced
- 1/4 cup goat cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup almonds, sliced
Dressing
- 1 cup strawberries
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a food processor or blender, combine 1 cup of strawberries, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Pulse until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Set the dressing aside to let the flavors meld.
- Assemble the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped cooked chicken, romaine lettuce, chopped strawberries, dried cranberries, sliced red onion, crumbled goat cheese, and sliced almonds. Toss the ingredients gently to mix evenly.
- Toss with dressing: Pour the strawberry balsamic dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients well. Alternatively, you can drizzle the dressing directly onto individual salad servings.
Notes
- This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 1 day. Keep the dressing separate to maintain freshness.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and add chickpeas or tofu for protein.
- Almonds can be replaced with walnuts or pecans for a different crunch and flavor.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor in both the salad and the dressing.
- If you prefer a milder dressing, reduce the garlic amount or omit the Dijon mustard.
