Strawberry Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

A quick, light, and flavorful lunch or dinner salad that's ready in just 15 minutes!

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American

Keyword spinach strawberry chicken salad, strawberry chicken salad, strawberry spinach salad with chicken

Prep Time 15

Total Time 15

Servings people

Calories 521kcal

Author Blair Lonergan

3 cups fresh baby spinach
3 cups chopped Romaine lettuce
2 cups sliced strawberries
1 stalk celery, thinly sliced
1 avocado, diced
⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
½ cup slivered almonds, toasted and salted
3-4 cups cooked, shredded or sliced chicken (such as the meat from a store-bought rotisserie chicken)
½ cup Brianna's Poppy Seed dressing, or more or less to taste (or use this recipe for homemade dressing)

In a large bowl or platter, or on individual plates, arrange spinach and Romaine.
Top with strawberries, celery, feta, almonds and chicken.
Drizzle with poppy seed dressing, to taste. Serve immediately.

You can quickly toast almonds (or other nuts) by stirring them in a dry skillet over low heat until fragrant. For an even easier method, I place the almonds on a microwave-safe plate and cook on HIGH for a total of about 1 ½ - 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. You'll know they're done when they're browned and fragrant. No matter which toasting method you use, keep a close eye on them because nuts can burn very quickly! Season the warm almonds with a little bit of salt.
Instead of a rotisserie chicken, try boiled chicken, roasted chicken or grilled chicken.
Just about any lettuce or greens will work, so feel free to substitute with your favorites.
Use blueberries, blackberries, raspberries or peaches in lieu of the strawberries.
I like Brianna's Poppy Seed Dressing for a delicious shortcut, but you can also make your own poppy seed dressing with this recipe.
Pick your favorite dressing. If you don't care for poppy seed dressing, a homemade buttermilk ranch or balsamic vinaigrette would be delicious, or try a pepper jelly vinaigrette for a little bit of heat. Green goddess is also a great choice!
Instead of almonds, try walnuts or pecans.
Add sweet green peas instead of the celery.
Swap out the feta cheese and use blue cheese, goat cheese, Parmesan cheese, or fresh mozzarella cheese.
Add onion -- finely diced red onion, sliced green onion, chives, or even pickled red onions would all be great.