There’s something about a giant salad in the summertime that makes you feel like you have your life together. Even if your kitchen looks like a tornado tossed croutons across the counter and somebody left ranch fingerprints on the fridge handle. This Strawberry Chicken Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Dressing feels fancy enough for brunch on the patio but easy enough for a Tuesday night when nobody wants to turn on the oven longer than necessary.

This salad is packed with juicy strawberries, tender chicken, crisp greens, crunchy toppings, and a homemade strawberry balsamic dressing that tastes like summer in a mason jar. Sweet, tangy, fresh, and just a little dramatic in the best way possible. The kind of salad that makes people suddenly ask, “Wait… who made the dressing?” while scraping the bowl clean.

If you’ve been searching for an easy strawberry chicken salad recipe, this one checks every box. It works for lunch, dinner, meal prep, baby showers, cookouts, or those nights when you want something lighter but still satisfying.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Chicken Salad

This strawberry chicken salad recipe is:

Fresh and full of flavor
Perfect for spring and summer meals
Easy to customize
Great for meal prep
Ready in about 20 minutes
Packed with protein and crunch
Made with homemade strawberry balsamic dressing

The homemade dressing is what really makes this salad shine. Store-bought dressing works in a pinch, but homemade strawberry balsamic dressing tastes brighter, fresher, and honestly just makes the whole salad feel a little more special.

Strawberry Chicken Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Dressing

maison-hearth

A fresh, vibrant salad made with juicy strawberries, tender grilled chicken, crisp romaine or butter lettuce, cranberries, and crunchy nuts, all tossed in a sweet‑tangy strawberry balsamic dressing. Light, colorful, and perfect for spring and summer meals.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 0

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Ingredients

2 C. Cooked Chicken Chopped
4 C. Romaine, Butter Lettuce or Spinach Chopped
2 C. Strawberries Chopped
1/2 C. Dried Cranberries
1/4 C. Red Onion Sliced
1/4 C. Feta or Blue Cheese Crumbled
1/4 C. Almonds, Walnuts, or Pecans Chopped

Strawberry Balsamic Dressing

1 C. Strawberries Chopped
1/4 C. Balsamic Vinegar
1/4 C. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
1 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard
1 Garlic Clove Minced
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Pepper

Instructions

In a large bowl, toss together the chopped chicken, lettuce, strawberries, dried cranberries, red onion slices, crumbled feta or blue cheese, and chopped nuts.

Strawberry Balsamic Dressing

In a food processor or blender, pulse the strawberries, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth. Set aside.
Toss the salad with the prepared dressing or drizzle the dressing on top of individual servings.

Keyword Salad, Summertime

Tips for the Best Strawberry Chicken Salad

Use rotisserie chicken for an easy shortcut.
Chill the salad plates before serving for an extra fresh feel.
Add grilled chicken for smoky flavor.
Toast the nuts for extra crunch.
Use ripe strawberries for the sweetest dressing.

If you want to make this strawberry chicken salad ahead of time, store the dressing separately until serving. That keeps everything crisp and fresh instead of sad and soggy.

Variations for Strawberry Chicken Salad

This salad is easy to customize depending on what you have in the fridge.

Try adding:

Goat cheese instead of feta
Spinach instead of romaine
Grilled shrimp instead of chicken
Blackberries or raspberries
Crispy bacon pieces
Poppy seeds for extra texture

Honestly, this salad can handle a little chaos. It’s forgiving like that.

What to Serve with Strawberry Chicken Salad

This strawberry chicken salad pairs perfectly with:

Crusty bread
Pasta salad
Soup
Grilled vegetables
Fruit salad
Lemon desserts

It also makes a beautiful dish for brunch tables, showers, picnics, and backyard dinners where somebody inevitably ends up swatting flies with a paper plate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make strawberry chicken salad ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare the salad ingredients and dressing separately. Store them in the refrigerator and combine before serving.

How long does strawberry balsamic dressing last?

Homemade strawberry balsamic dressing stays fresh for about 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container.

What chicken works best for this salad?

Grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken, or baked chicken breast all work wonderfully in this strawberry chicken salad recipe.

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Chicken Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Dressing is fresh, colorful, easy, and packed with flavor. It feels a little fancy without requiring a culinary degree or twelve dirty mixing bowls. The sweet strawberries, savory chicken, crunchy nuts, and tangy dressing all work together like the world’s tastiest summer playlist.

Whether you serve it for lunch on the porch, dinner after a long day, or at a family gathering where everybody hovers around the food table, this salad always disappears fast.

Thanks for stopping by Maison Hearth—where the house is lived in, the food is made with love, and the sass is always included. Come back hungry, curious, and ready to make a little mess. You may also like our Spicy Mary Shrimp Pasta Salad

Strawberry Chicken Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Dressing

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Chicken Salad