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About This Recipe
You all know once the weather starts warming up I’m all about easy recipes and chicken salad is definitely on the top of my list! It’s so easy to make and is the perfect light lunch that hits the spot every time. I feel like every week I’m prepping some kind of chicken salad and this new Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad is definitely on the repeat these days!!
This healthy chicken salad recipe is perfect combination of flavors and textures. It’s made with tender, shredded chicken breast, sweet, juicy strawberries, crunchy pecans and the most delicious (and easy to make) poppy seed dressing!! This chicken salad screams spring & summer and I know you’re going to love it as much as me!
Not only do I love chicken salad because of how easy it is to make but there are seriously SO many ways to enjoy it! You can add it to your favorite bread for a sandwich, dip with your favorite chips or crackers or honestly eat it straight up with a fork!
If you are loving chicken salad right now for a quick and easy meal, be sure to try some of my other favorite recipes like my Waldorf Chicken Salad, Avocado Chicken Salad, Rainbow Chicken Salad or Apple Pecan Chicken Salad!
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad Recipe
- Fresh and flavorful: The perfect balance of savory chicken, sweet strawberries and a tangy-sweet poppy seed dressing to create the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
- Light but satisfying meal: Packed with lean protein and fiber-rich fruits and veggies, this chicken salad will keep you full without feeling heavy.
- Quick and easy: This recipe comes together in less than 15 minutes of prep time and no cooking required!
- Great for meal prep: Chicken salad is one of my FAVORITE meals to prep for meal prep! Easy to make and perfect for lunches all week!
- Macro-friendly: This chicken salad is less than 300 calories per serving and packed with over 23 grams of protein!
- Chicken: Make this recipe easier by buying pre-shredded or pulled rotisserie chicken from the store (I love Kirklands pulled chicken). You can also use my Basic Shredded Chicken or any other leftover cooked chicken you have on hand.
- Strawberries: Grab some fresh strawberries and chop them into small pieces!
- Celery and red onion: Celery and red onion add the perfect amount of crunch to this chicken salad!
- Pecans: I used pecans but you can sub for any other nut you prefer (almonds, walnuts) or omit to make nut-free. If you really want to take this chicken salad to the next level, toast the pecans in a dry skillet for a few minutes to help really bring out the nutty flavor.
- Poppy seed dressing: For this quick homemade poppy seed dressing, you’ll need light mayo (or greek yogurt), white distilled vinegar, honey, extra-virgin olive oil, poppy seeds and salt.
- Light mayo: You can also use plain Greek yogurt.
- Lemon & honey: Add fresh lemon juice and honey to taste to help balance out all the flavors. I recommend using fresh lemon juice for the best flavor (although store-bought will work in a pinch).
- Make it nut free! You can totally omit the pecans (or use a different nut) if you need to make this recipe nut-free.
- Don’t like mayo? Easily swap the mayo for nonfat greek yogurt.
- Feta cheese: Add in some crumbled feta or goat cheese!
- Types of fruit: You can swap the strawberries for fresh blueberries or mandarin oranges for a fun twist!
- Store-bought dressing: Need to save time? Use a store-bought poppy seed dressing to make this recipe even easier!
How To Make
The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!
1. Add all the ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Mix to combine. Taste and adjust as needed. Add salt and black pepper, lemon juice and honey as needed to balance out flavors.
Keep strawberry poppy seed chicken salad stored in an airtight container for 4-5 days.
Ways To Enjoy Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad
- Mixed greens salad: Add this chicken salad on top of a bed of mixed greens and drizzle a little extra poppy seed dressing.
- Croissant: This strawberry chicken salad is SO delicious served in a buttery mini croissant!
- Rice cakes. On top of rice cakes. I love doing this when I’m in the mood for something crunchy!
- Toasted bread: Serve on a piece of whole-grain bread or wheat bread for delicious open-faced sandwhich.
- Dip with chips. Grab some of your favorite chips or crackers and dive in!
- Lettuce Wraps. Wrap up in crisp leaves of lettuces for a delicious low carb option.
- Pita bread. Stuff it in a pita brad for the perfect eat on-the-go lunch.
- Cold lunch plate. Serve this chicken salad on a cold lunch plate with fresh fruit.
Can I use frozen strawberries for this chicken salad?
I definitely recommend using fresh strawberries for this chicken salad recipe! I love frozen berries for baked goods but since this chicken salad is served cold, I don’t think frozen strawberries will have a very good texture once thawed for this chicken salad.
What type of chicken should I use for this recipe?
Any cooked chicken works for this recipe! You can use a simple bulk chicken recipe, leftover chicken, store-bought rotisserie chicken or canned chicken!
What is the best way to chop all the ingredients for this recipe?
My favorite (and the quickest) way to chop all the veggies for this recipe is with a veggie chopper/dicer! This kitchen tool is such a major time saver. Plus I love how it cuts everything up in small, uniform pieces! If you don’t have one of these (even though I highly recommend) you can simply chop everything with a cutting board and sharp knife (or buy precut from the grocery store!).
More Chicken Salad Recipes You’ll Love
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!
Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups pulled rotisserie chicken (12oz)
- 1 cup fresh chopped strawberries (140g)
- 3/4 cup finely chopped celery (120g)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion (30g)
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans (28g)
- 1/2 cup poppy seed dressing see recipe below
- 2 Tbsp light mayo (30g) or Greek yogurt
- Salt & fresh ground pepper to taste
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice & honey optional
Quick Poppy Seed Dressing (makes 1/2 cup)
- 1/4 cup light mayo (60g) or Greek yogurt
- 2 Tbsp white distilled vinegar (30g)
- 1 Tbsp honey (21g)
- 2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil (10g)
- 1 tsp poppy seeds
- 1/2 tsp salt
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Instructions
- In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together all the ingredients for the poppy seed dressing.
- Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl.
- Taste and adjust as needed. Add salt and black pepper, lemon juice and honey as needed to balance out flavors.
- Serve stuffed in a croissant, on open-faced toast, with crackers, as is, etc. For best flavor, chill in the fridge for a few hours first.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.
