Description

This Strawberry Chicken Spinach Salad is everything a refreshing meal should be—light, colorful, and bursting with flavor. Juicy grilled chicken, sweet strawberries, creamy feta, and crunchy almonds come together on a bed of fresh baby spinach, all drizzled with a tangy homemade balsamic poppy seed dressing. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or impressing guests at a summer gathering!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Salad:

4 cups baby spinach (120g)
1 cup strawberries, sliced (150g)
1 grilled chicken breast, sliced (approx. 200g)
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced (30g)
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (30g)
1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted (20g)
Optional: avocado slices or cucumbers for extra freshness

For the Balsamic Poppy Seed Dressing:

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (30ml)
2 tablespoons olive oil (30ml)
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (15ml)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon poppy seeds
Salt & pepper to taste

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Instructions

Grill the Chicken
Season the chicken breast with salt, pepper, and olive oil. Grill or pan-sear over medium heat until golden and cooked through (internal temp 165°F/74°C). Let it rest, then slice.
Prepare the Dressing
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, and poppy seeds. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Assemble the Salad
In a large bowl or platter, layer the spinach, sliced strawberries, red onion, grilled chicken, feta, and toasted almonds.
Dress & Toss
Drizzle with balsamic poppy seed dressing just before serving and gently toss to coat.
Serve Immediately
Enjoy this fresh, satisfying salad on its own or pair it with a crusty slice of bread or a bowl of chilled soup.

Notes

Soaking red onion slices in cold water for 5 minutes makes them milder.
For meal prep, store the salad ingredients and dressing separately.
Swap feta with a dairy-free alternative to make this salad dairy-free.
Add cooked quinoa or avocado for a heartier version.

This dressing also pairs beautifully with other greens or roasted veggies.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Grilled
Cuisine: American, Fresh

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 large salad
Calories: 420
Sugar: 9g
Sodium: 350mg
Fat: 27g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 20g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 16g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 65mg