The Best Strawberry Chicken Salad
The best Strawberry Chicken Salad is here! After making this countless times, I’ve perfected the balance of sweet strawberries and tangy dressing. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Jalapeno Popper Twice Baked Potatoes and Spicy Jalapeño Chicken.
Why This The Best Strawberry Chicken Salad Is Pure Comfort
- Crisp chicken and fresh strawberries in every bite
- Tangy poppy seed dressing that's better than store-bought
- Easy to make and perfect for meal prep
What You'll Need for The Best Strawberry Chicken Salad
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: Crumbled feta or blue cheese (optional)
- Optional: Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (optional)
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken: Rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken works great.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Quality Knife Set — Makes prep work a breeze → See on Amazon
- Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls — Durable and perfect for salad prep → See on Amazon
How to Make The Best Strawberry Chicken Salad
- Prepare dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, combine diced chicken, sliced strawberries, sliced almonds, and chopped red onion.
- Toss salad: Pour dressing over chicken mixture and toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve: Serve immediately or chill for up to 30 minutes before serving. Top with crumbled cheese and fresh herbs if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect The Best Strawberry Chicken Salad
- : For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for half of the mayonnaise.
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overmixing the salad to prevent breaking up the chicken. Gently fold the ingredients together.
- : For a make-ahead meal, prepare the dressing and chop the ingredients the night before. Combine just before serving to prevent the chicken from drying out.
- : To make this salad gluten-free, ensure your mayonnaise and vinegar are gluten-free.
Storing & Reheating The Best Strawberry Chicken Salad
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Can be made up to 1 day ahead. Combine just before serving.
Freezing The Best Strawberry Chicken Salad
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not applicable. Microwave: Not applicable.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a twist, try adding diced avocado or mandarin oranges.
- Best substitution: Substitute the chicken for canned tuna or chickpeas for a vegetarian version.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the dressing and chop the ingredients the night before. Combine just before serving.
- Scaling: Easily doubles or triples for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your salad is too dry, add a little more mayonnaise or apple cider vinegar to the dressing.
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The Best Strawberry Chicken Salad
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
Seasonings
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Crumbled feta or blue cheese (optional)
- Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, combine diced chicken, sliced strawberries, sliced almonds, and chopped red onion.
- Toss salad: Pour dressing over chicken mixture and toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve: Serve immediately or chill for up to 30 minutes before serving. Top with crumbled cheese and fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a twist, try adding diced avocado or mandarin oranges.
- Best substitution: Substitute the chicken for canned tuna or chickpeas for a vegetarian version.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the dressing and chop the ingredients the night before. Combine just before serving.
- Scaling: Easily doubles or triples for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your salad is too dry, add a little more mayonnaise or apple cider vinegar to the dressing.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not applicable.
- Microwave reheat: Not applicable.
- Make ahead: Can be made up to 1 day ahead. Combine just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 340
- Protein: 22g
- Fat: 21g
- Carbs: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Cholesterol: 65mg
- Sat. Fat: 3.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
The Best Strawberry Chicken Salad FAQs
Yes, prepare the dressing and chop the ingredients the night before. Combine just before serving.
Overmixing the salad can break up the chicken and cause it to dry out. Gently fold the ingredients together.
This recipe is not suitable for the air fryer. It's best served chilled or at room temperature.
Greek yogurt is a great substitute for a lighter version.
Freezing is not recommended as it can make the chicken and strawberries mushy.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try The Best Strawberry Chicken Salad and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
