Description
A refreshing and vibrant Strawberry Poppyseed Salad featuring a crisp romaine lettuce base, tender cooked chicken, fresh strawberries and blueberries, crunchy toasted pecans, and tangy feta cheese, all tossed in a sweet and tangy poppy seed dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner, this salad balances sweetness, textures, and protein for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Salad
- 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce (about 2 heads)
- 2 cups cooked chicken, cubed or shredded
- 1 cup quartered fresh strawberries
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/3 cup diced red onion
- 1/2 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Poppy Seed Dressing
- Poppy seed dressing (store-bought or homemade, quantity as desired)
Instructions
- Prepare the lettuce: Wash and chop about 6 cups of romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large salad bowl to form the base of the salad.
- Add the chicken: Cube or shred 2 cups of cooked chicken and layer it evenly over the bed of lettuce.
- Add the fruits and veggies: Quarter 1 cup of fresh strawberries and rinse 1 cup of fresh blueberries; add both to the bowl along with 1/3 cup of diced red onion to introduce sweet and sharp flavors.
- Include nuts and cheese: Toast 1/2 cup of pecans until fragrant and chop them coarsely, then sprinkle over the salad along with 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese for texture and tang.
- Toss with dressing: Spoon over the desired amount of poppy seed dressing, ensuring all ingredients are lightly coated but not soggy.
- Serve immediately: Mix gently and serve the salad right away to enjoy the fresh, crisp textures and flavors at their best.
Notes
- You can use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken for convenience.
- To toast pecans, heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- If you prefer a lighter option, reduce the amount of feta cheese or use a low-fat variety.
- The salad is best eaten fresh, but you can store components separately and assemble just before serving.
- For homemade poppy seed dressing, combine mayonnaise, honey, apple cider vinegar, poppy seeds, and a pinch of salt.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad serving (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
