Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad (Print version)

Tender shredded chicken paired with sweet strawberries, crisp cucumbers, and creamy poppy seed dressing for a light and refreshing meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ Salad

04 - 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
05 - 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
06 - 4 cups mixed salad greens
07 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
08 - 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese, optional
09 - 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds

→ Poppy Seed Dressing

10 - 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
11 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
12 - 2 tablespoons honey
13 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
14 - 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
15 - 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
16 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
17 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# How to Make:

01 - Place chicken breasts in a saucepan and cover with water. Add salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 12–15 minutes until fully cooked. Remove chicken, let cool slightly, and shred using two forks.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, honey, apple cider vinegar, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth and combined.
03 - In a large salad bowl, combine salad greens, shredded chicken, strawberries, cucumber, and red onion.
04 - Drizzle with the poppy seed dressing and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
05 - Top with crumbled feta cheese if using and toasted almonds.
06 - Serve immediately for a warm salad, or chill for 20 minutes for a colder preparation.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in about half an hour and tastes like you spent way longer on it.
  • The poppy seed dressing is creamy and tangy without being heavy or overly sweet.
  • You can prep the chicken ahead and just toss everything together when you're ready to eat.
  • It's one of those rare salads that actually fills you up and keeps you satisfied.
02 -
  • Don't boil the chicken too hard or it will turn rubbery, a gentle simmer is all you need for tender, juicy meat.
  • Make the dressing at least ten minutes before serving so the poppy seeds can soften a little and the flavors have time to meld together.
  • If you're making this ahead, keep the dressing separate until you're ready to eat or the greens will wilt and get soggy.
03 -
  • If your dressing is too thick, thin it out with a teaspoon of water or a splash of extra vinegar until it's pourable.
  • Slice the red onion as thin as you can, or soak the slices in cold water for five minutes to mellow out the sharpness.
  • Don't overdress the salad, start with half the dressing and add more as you go so it doesn't get soggy.
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