Healthy summer salad bursting with fresh flavor with juicy strawberries, tender chicken, and crisp greens. Tossed with a sweet and tangy lime maple balsamic dressing, it’s a refreshing, high-protein meal that’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or entertaining on warm summer days.
When the temperatures start to climb, it’s time to bring out the refreshing summer salads!
This Strawberry Chicken Salad is one of our favorite warm-weather meals because it’s so simple to put together and absolutely bursting with flavor.
From the juicy strawberries to the sweet and tangy lime maple balsamic dressing, every bite tastes like summer.
It’s light, satisfying, and the kind of salad you’ll find yourself putting on repeat all season long.
Keep scrolling for all the delicious details, plus our tips for making this easy summer favorite!
Jump to Recipe- Why You’ll Love This Healthy Salad Recipe
- Strawberry Chicken Salad Ingredients
- Tips for Preparing Kale
- Candied Pecans
- Preparing the Lime Maple Balsamic Dressing
- Other Fruits You Can Use in This Salad
- Variations and Add-Ins
- Tips for the Best Strawberry Chicken Salad
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Easy Summer Salad Recipes
- Shop This Post
- Final Thoughts
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Why You’ll Love This Healthy Salad Recipe
This Strawberry Chicken Salad is the perfect combination of fresh, flavorful, and satisfying.
Sweet strawberries, tender chicken, crunchy nuts, and creamy feta create a delicious balance of flavors and textures in every bite.
Packed with protein from the chicken and healthy fats from the nuts, this salad will keep you feeling full and energized without weighing you down.
The kale provides fiber, vitamins A, C, and K, while the strawberries add antioxidants and a burst of natural sweetness.
It’s hearty enough for lunch or a light dinner and refreshing for hot summer days.
We also love how easy it is to customize with your favorite fruits, cheeses, or nuts.
Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or serving guests at a summer gathering, this colorful salad is as beautiful on the table as it is delicious to eat.
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Strawberry Chicken Salad Ingredients
For the salad you’ll need:
- choice of greens (romaine lettuce, spinach or kale) my favorite combination is romaine and kale.
- green onions
- feta cheese
- sliced strawberries
- diced chicken (leftover grilled or rotisserie chicken)
- pecans
For the dressing you’ll need:
- extra virgin olive oil
- lime juice (for the best flavor use fresh)
- balsamic vinegar
- stone ground mustard
- pure maple syrup
- salt and pepper
You’ll also need a large bowl for tossing the salad and a blender or immersion blender to prepare the dressing.
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Tips for Preparing Kale
If you’ve ever thought kale was too tough or bitter for salads, a few simple preparation steps can make all the difference.
Start by removing the tough center stems and tearing or chopping the leaves into bite-sized pieces.
After washing and thoroughly drying the kale, place it in a large bowl and gently massage the leaves with clean hands with a drop or two of olive oil for 1–2 minutes.
This helps break down the fibrous texture, making the kale softer, more tender, and easier to eat.
Plus it helps remove the bitter taste sometimes associated with kale.
As a bonus, massaged kale holds up beautifully in salads, making it an excellent choice for meal prep since it stays fresh longer than many other leafy greens.
Candied Pecans
Candied pecans are one of the easiest ways to add a sweet, crunchy bite to this Strawberry Chicken Salad and they come together in just a couple of minutes.
Simply place pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently, until they’re lightly toasted and fragrant.
Next, sprinkle in about 1 teaspoon of sugar or monk fruit sweetener and continue stirring as it melts and coats the nuts evenly.
Once the pecans are beautifully glazed, remove them from the heat and spread them out on parchment paper to cool completely.
As they cool, they’ll crisp up and become the perfect sweet crunch for your salad.
Preparing the Lime Maple Balsamic Dressing
This Lime Maple Balsamic Dressing comes together in just a few minutes and adds the perfect sweet and tangy finish to this salad.
Simply combine all of the dressing ingredients and blend until smooth and creamy.
While you can whisk the ingredients together in a bowl or shake them in a mason jar, I find that using a blender or immersion blender creates the best emulsion and gives the dressing a silky texture.
The dressing can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several days.
As it sits, the ingredients may naturally separate, so just give it a good shake or stir before drizzling it over your salad.
Other Fruits You Can Use in This Salad
One of the things we love most about this healthy summer salad is how easy it is to customize with whatever fruit is in season.
While sweet, juicy strawberries are our favorite, don’t be afraid to mix things up!
- blueberries
- blackberries
- raspberries
- peaches
- nectarines
- pears
- apples
- mandarin oranges
All pair beautifully with the chicken, kale, feta, and lime maple balsamic dressing.
Using seasonal fruit is a great way to keep this salad fresh and exciting all summer long.
Feel free to experiment with your favorites—you may just discover a new combination that becomes a family favorite!
Variations and Add-Ins
This Strawberry Chicken Salad is wonderfully versatile, making it easy to adapt to your tastes or whatever ingredients you have on hand.
For extra creaminess, add sliced avocado or swap the feta for creamy goat cheese.
If you love a little crunch, try candied pecans, sliced almonds, sunflower seeds, or toasted pumpkin seeds.
Crispy bacon adds a savory touch, while cooked quinoa can boost the fiber and make the salad even more filling.
Not in the mood for chicken? Grilled shrimp is a delicious alternative that pairs beautifully with the sweet fruit and tangy dressing.
The possibilities are endless, so don’t be afraid to make this recipe your own!
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Tips for the Best Strawberry Chicken Salad
A few simple tips can take this Strawberry Chicken Salad from good to unforgettable.
Start with ripe, sweet strawberries for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
Don’t forget to massage your kale to tenderize and remove the bitter taste.
Also be sure to thoroughly dry your kale after washing it so the dressing clings to the leaves instead of sliding off.
If possible, chill the ingredients before assembling the salad for an extra refreshing bite on warm summer days.
For the best texture, wait to add the dressing until just before serving.
Finally, don’t be afraid to adjust the ingredients to suit your tastes.
Adding a little extra fruit, cheese, nuts, or chicken can help you create the perfect balance of sweet, savory, creamy, and crunchy flavors in every bite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes! This Strawberry Chicken Salad is a great make-ahead meal. In fact, kale is one of the best greens for meal prep because it stays fresh and crisp longer than lettuce. To prepare ahead, store the kale, chicken, strawberries, feta, nuts, and dressing in separate containers in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, simply assemble the salad and drizzle on the dressing. If you’re making it for lunches, you can portion everything into individual containers and keep the dressing separate until serving. For the freshest flavor and texture, enjoy the salad within 2–3 days of preparation.
What is the best chicken to use?
The best chicken to use for this Strawberry Chicken Salad is one that’s simple, tender, and lightly seasoned so it doesn’t overpower the fresh flavors. We love using grilled chicken breast for a little smoky flavor, but rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut when you want to keep things extra easy.
Can I make the dressing ahead of time?
Yes, you can absolutely make the dressing ahead of time and it actually gets even better as the flavors sit together! The lime maple balsamic vinaigrette can be prepared a few days in advance and stored in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator. Because the oil and vinegar may naturally separate over time, just give it a good shake or quick blend before using.
How long will leftovers keep?
Leftovers of this Strawberry Chicken Salad will keep well in the refrigerator for about 2–3 days when stored properly. For the best texture and flavor, store the salad components separately from the dressing and combine just before eating. The kale holds up especially well, but the strawberries may soften slightly over time. If the salad is already dressed, it’s still safe to enjoy the next day, though the greens may get a little soft. Always keep leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate promptly for the freshest taste.
More Easy Summer Salad Recipes
- Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Jalapeño Lime Dressing
- Easy Corn Salad Recipe with a Lime Vinaigrette
Shop This Post
Strawberry Chicken Salad with Lime Maple Balsamic Dressing
Ingredients
Method
- Place chopped greens in a large bowl. Use a combination of romaine lettuce, spinach or kale. Place remaining ingredients in the bowl and toss.
- Place olive oil, lime juice, balsamic vinegar, mustard, pure maple syrup, salt and pepper in a blender. Blend until the dressing emulsifies. Pour over salad and toss until well coated. Top with pecans and serve.
- This salad is delicious served with a slice of sour dough bread.
Notes
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a fresh, flavorful meal that’s both satisfying and easy to make, this Strawberry Chicken Salad is sure to become a favorite.
With sweet strawberries, tender chicken, crunchy candied pecans, creamy feta, and a bright lime maple balsamic vinaigrette, every bite is packed with delicious summer flavor.
Whether you’re serving it for a casual lunch, a light dinner, or sharing it with friends at a summer gathering, this colorful salad is always a crowd-pleaser.
Give it a try, and don’t be surprised if it earns a permanent spot in your warm-weather recipe rotation!
If this recipe looks like something you’d love to make, be sure to pin it and save it for later so you can come back to it all season long.
And if you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out!
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