Strawberry Spinach Chicken Salad
This Strawberry Spinach Chicken Salad is light, refreshing, flavorful, and loaded with protein for a satiating meal. Packed with flavorful toppings and drizzled with homemade tangy-sweet dressing, you’ll love every last bite of this summer spinach salad!
If you’re looking for a light lunch or refreshing dinner recipe for summer meals, you’ll love this strawberry spinach salad! Fresh baby spinach leaves are loaded with tender grilled chicken, juicy strawberries, crispy bacon bits, rich feta cheese, and sliced almonds, topped with a delicious creamy poppyseed dressing. The simple salad dressing is better than store-bought and has the best fresh sweet and tangy flavor!
Make this chicken strawberry salad as a quick-fix anytime meal. This recipe makes two large salads, perfect as a main dish for two people or to serve your family as a side dish at dinner. It only takes 10 minutes to prepare this satisfying and nutritious salad!
If you want more tasty summertime salad recipes, try my grilled chicken caesar salad, southwest chicken salad, or green goddess salad.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Nutritious. Packed with nutrient-rich ingredients like baby spinach, strawberries, almonds, and grilled chicken, this salad provides a wholesome and satisfying meal that’s a feast for your palate and your body.
- Simple & Elegant. This strawberry and spinach salad recipe is surprisingly easy to prepare with a gourmet-quality flavor profile. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, whip up an impressive dish for any occasion!
- Customizable. Easily adapt this recipe to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs. Add ingredients or omit ingredients to make this spinach chicken salad your own.
Recipe Ingredients
Below are the simple ingredients you need to make this strawberry spinach chicken salad recipe. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page to see the exact amounts for each ingredient.
- Oil: Avocado oil or olive oil work best for the dressing, choose whichever one you prefer.
- Honey: Adds a natural sweetness to the salad dressing and balances the tanginess of the other ingredients.
- Mayonnaise: Use full-fat mayo for the richest creamy flavor in the dressing. Or use a lower-fat option if preferred.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a tangy zing to the dressing that compliments the sweet and savory flavors of the chicken spinach salad.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Gives the dressing a rich, slightly sweet tang and enhances the flavor, especially of the strawberries and feta. Alternatively, you can use red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar if preferred.
- White Wine Vinegar: Adds a mild acidity and brightness to the recipe and adds depth of flavor when mixed with the balsamic vinegar.
- Poppyseeds: Provide a delicate crunch to the texture and a light nutty flavor. Alternatively, you can use toasted sesame seeds for a similar texture and variation of flavor.
- Baby Spinach: Fresh spinach leaves make a tender and nutritious base for the strawberry chicken salad and add a beautiful pop of green.
- Bacon: Use pre-cooked bacon of your choice and make it extra crispy for the best savory crunch.
- Strawberries: Fresh berries are the star of this salad and infuse the other ingredients with juicy sweetness and add a vibrant color.
- Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta cheese adds a creamy and tangy bite that perfectly pairs with the sweetness of the strawberries and dressing. Alternatively, you can use goat cheese, blue cheese, or shaved parmesan.
- Sliced Almonds: You can buy pre-sliced raw almonds in the baking or nut aisle at the grocery store. Or you can purchase whole almonds and blitz them in a food processor.
- Grilled Chicken: Use leftover prepared chicken for the easiest preparation, or make your favorite chicken recipe ahead of time (like this grilled honey mustard chicken!).
How to Make Strawberry Spinach Chicken Salad
Below are photos and recipe steps to easily make this strawberry chicken salad recipe at home. You will also need a whisk, a mixing bowl, a cutting board, and a knife.
- Add all dressing ingredients to a jar or bowl and whisk until well combined. Set aside.
- Assemble your salads in two large salad bowls with spinach, bacon, strawberries, feta, almonds, and chicken.
- Drizzle with dressing, toss, and serve!
Serve
Enjoy this strawberry feta spinach salad as a main course for lunch or dinner, pair it with toasted bread or your favorite steamed grain for a heartier meal, or serve it as a side dish in smaller portions alongside other main course dishes. Below are some of our favorite recipes to pair with this salad.
Tips and Tricks
- Toss the salad just before serving so the ingredients don’t get soggy. This will keep the spinach crisp and fresh for the most vibrant flavor and texture.
- Customize the toppings to your liking with additional ingredients like avocado slices, chopped red onion, croutons, walnuts, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds.
- Use the dressing as a chicken marinade to add even more flavor! Make extra dressing and cook the chicken in it. Then use the rest to top the finished salad!
Strawberry Spinach Chicken Salad FAQ
This salad is best prepared fresh but you can also store the dressing and the salad ingredients separately if needed in two different airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Toss the salad ingredients with the dressing whenever you’re ready to serve!
No, I don’t recommend using frozen berries as they will change the consistency and freshness of this spinach strawberry salad recipe. If you can’t find good fresh strawberries, you can substitute for another fresh berry like blueberries or blackberries. Figs or mandarin oranges would also be a tasty option!
Yes, feel free to use whatever dressing you like instead of the recipe provided. A balsamic vinaigrette, raspberry vinaigrette, creamy poppy seed dressing, or plain balsamic vinegar would work great with this salad.
More Salad Recipes
Strawberry Spinach Chicken Salad
Ingredients
Dressing:
- ¼ cup avocado or olive oil
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp mayo
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp poppyseeds
- ½ tsp white wine vinegar
- ¼ tsp salt
Salad:
- 6 cups baby spinach
- 4 slices crispy bacon chopped
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tbsp sliced almonds
- 2 cups chopped grilled chicken I used grilled honey mustard chicken
Instructions
- Add all dressing ingredients to a jar or bowl and whisk until well combined. Set aside.
- Assemble your salads with the spinach, bacon, strawberries, feta, almonds, and chicken. Drizzle with dressing and serve!
Notes
- Leftovers store really well without the dressing for up to 3 days.
- The dressing is a sweet and tangy poppyseed dressing and pairs perfectly with spinach, bacon, and strawberries.
- This is the chicken I used: https://thebestchickenrecipes.com/grilled-honey-mustard-chicken/
