Description
Strawberry Poppy Seed Pecan Chicken Salad blends juicy fresh strawberries, tender cooked chicken breast, crunchy toasted pecans, and crisp mixed greens with a zesty plant-based poppy seed dressing. This refreshing, vibrant salad is perfect for lunches, light dinners, and special gatherings, offering a delightful balance of sweetness, texture, and natural flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- 2 cooked chicken breasts, thinly sliced or shredded
- 1/2 cup toasted pecans
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
Dressing Ingredients
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 3 tbsp plant-based mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp honey (natural)
- 1 tsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 tbsp poppy seeds (natural)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cook the chicken breasts by grilling, baking, or pan-searing with a pinch of salt and black pepper until tender. Let them rest before slicing thinly or shredding into bite-sized pieces.
- Toast the Pecans: Warm a skillet over medium heat and toast the pecans for 3 to 5 minutes, shaking the pan often, until they become golden brown and aromatic for enhanced crunch and flavor.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a jar or bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar (natural), plant-based mayonnaise, honey (natural), vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), poppy seeds (natural), olive oil, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined with a tangy, sweet flavor and signature poppy seed texture.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, sliced strawberries, thinly sliced red onions, toasted pecans, and cooked chicken. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly and preserve texture.
- Serve and Enjoy: Transfer the salad to serving plates or a large bowl. Optionally garnish with fresh herb sprigs, extra whole pecans, or halved strawberries before serving.
Notes
- Use ripe, firm strawberries for optimal sweetness and texture.
- Grill the chicken for added smoky flavor.
- Toast nuts just before serving to maintain crunch.
- Keep dressing separate until ready to serve to preserve salad freshness.
- Toss the salad gently to avoid bruising strawberries and greens.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: strawberry salad, poppy seed dressing, pecan chicken salad, fresh salad, healthy lunch, gluten free salad, plant-based dressing
