When it comes to everyday classics like chicken salad, the only thing you should ever consider changing (in my opinion) is sprucing it up with seasonal ingredients to make it extra special. In walks this Strawberry Chicken Salad, just in time for peak farmers market season! This recipe works great with previously frozen strawberries, too…so if fresh berries aren’t in your budget, don’t worry; this recipe still wows!
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Easy Recipe for Strawberry Chicken Salad
If you love a classic deli-style chicken salad, this strawberry version is a fun seasonal twist! I swapped the grapes for juicy strawberries, and the combo is surprisingly perfect. Along with the chicken, there’s a crunchy mix of red onion, celery, and walnuts, all tossed in a creamy mayo dressing with fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic glaze to finish it off. I think it’s a great make-ahead option for things like bridal showers, baby showers, a summery picnic, or your next book club lunch.
Not to mention, this strawberry chicken salad is perfect for meal prep. And if you’re on the fence about pairing a creamy chicken salad with strawberries, just give it one bite…you’ll get it!
Strawberry Chicken Salad
- 1 rotisserie chicken (shredded and diced, (about 4 cups) $5.97)
- 1 ½ cup strawberries (diced, 4-5 large strawberries $1.02*)
- 1 cup red onion (diced, $0.61)
- ¼ cup walnuts (chopped, $1.18)
- 1 cup celery (diced, $0.62)
- ¾ cup mayonnaise ($0.84)
- 1 Tbsp fresh basil (minced, $0.45)
- 1 Tbsp white vinegar ($0.02)
- 1 tsp salt ($0.04)
- 1 tsp black pepper (freshly cracked, $0.15)
- 1 Tbsp balsamic glaze ($0.15)
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Gather ingredients. Remove all white and dark meat from one rotisserie chicken. This will yield about 4 cups of meat. Shred meat with 2 forks and set aside. Mince basil, dice strawberries, and celery, and chopped walnuts.
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Add chicken, strawberries, onions, walnuts, and celery to a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
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In a smaller mixing bowl, add the mayonnaise, basil, white vinegar, salt and pepper. Whisk to combine.
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Pour dressing ingredients over the salad ingredients. Toss all ingredients together until evenly coated.
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Drizzle with balsamic reduction and enjoy on a sandwich or on top of lettuce greens for a filling salad.
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Large Mixing Bowl
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Small Mixing Bowl
*To use frozen strawberries, thaw them out and chop them up, then let them sit in a strainer for a bit to get rid of any excess moisture. It’s fine if they lose their shape a bit and get mushy…ripe strawberries are really the most important ingredient, fresh or previously frozen!
Serving: 1cupCalories: 291kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 19gFat: 22gSodium: 618mgFiber: 1g
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nutrition disclaimer here.
how to make Strawberry Chicken Salad step-by-step photos
Prep ingredients: Gather all your ingredients and remove the white and dark meat from 1 rotisserie chicken. Shred the meat with two forks or chop it into bite-sized pieces. This should yield about 4 cups of meat. If you haven’t already, mince the basil, dice strawberries and celery, and chop walnuts.
Combine the salad ingredients: Add the shredded chicken, 1½ cup diced strawberries, 1 cup chopped red onion, ¼ cup chopped walnuts, and 1 cup diced celery to a large mixing bowl. Set this bowl aside.
Make the dressing: In a different, smaller mixing bowl, add ¾ cup mayonnaise, 1 Tbsp minced fresh basil, 1 Tbsp white vinegar, 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Mix well to combine.
Assemble the salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients and toss until evenly coated.
Serve: Drizzle the salad with 1 Tbsp balsamic reduction and serve however you like. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
My family enjoyed this chicken strawberry salad tucked into flaky croissants or between slices of bread for an easy lunch sandwich! I think a slightly sweet bread like our honey wheat bread would be delicious and really complement the flavor of the strawberries. It’s also great spooned over a bed of lettuce for something lighter or rolled up in cottage cheese wraps for an extra boost of protein. I’ve also served it with crackers for a quick lunch or snack, and I bet it would be great piled in an air-fried baked potato, too.
Storage Instructions
This strawberry and chicken salad can last up to 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge, depending on how fresh your ingredients are. It’s best to make the salad the same day you buy your rotisserie chicken to keep everything tasting its freshest. Just know the strawberries may soften a bit after the first day, which doesn’t affect the flavor, just the texture!