Description
This refreshing Strawberry Chicken Salad combines tender cooked chicken with fresh baby spinach, sweet strawberries, juicy blueberries, crisp cucumber, tangy goat cheese, crunchy walnuts, and a hint of red onion. Served with a light dressing on the side, this salad is a perfect light lunch or dinner that is quick to prepare and packed with vibrant flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 1 6 oz bag baby spinach (170g) (4 cups)
- 16 oz cooked chicken (450g) (about 1 1/3 lb raw chicken or store-bought rotisserie chicken)
- 1 cup strawberries (137g), sliced
- 1 cup blueberries (143g)
- 1 Persian cucumber (120g), sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion (50g), thinly sliced
- 1 oz goat cheese (28g), crumbled
- 1 oz walnuts (28g), chopped
- Fresh slivered basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
Dressing Suggestions
- Balsamic vinegar, for serving
- Or vinegar and a drizzle of olive oil
- Or honey balsamic dressing (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions
- Prepare the Spinach: Place the baby spinach in a medium-sized salad bowl or divide it evenly onto four dinner plates to form the base of your salad.
- Add the Toppings: Arrange the chopped cooked chicken, sliced strawberries, blueberries, sliced Persian cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, crumbled goat cheese, and chopped walnuts on top of the spinach. Sprinkle fresh slivered basil leaves if using, for added aroma and color.
- Serve with Dressing: Serve the salad with your choice of dressing on the side. Balsamic vinegar works wonderfully, or you can drizzle a simple mixture of vinegar and olive oil, a honey balsamic dressing, or any favorite store-bought dressing to taste.
Notes
- Use cooked chicken leftover from a previous meal or store-bought rotisserie chicken to save time.
- Feel free to swap walnuts for pecans or almonds depending on preference or allergies.
- For extra sweetness, add more berries or a touch of honey in the dressing.
- To make vegan, omit the goat cheese and use a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Keep the dressing on the side to maintain crisp textures until ready to eat.
