This strawberry balsamic salad may just be the best salad recipe that exists. It’s insanely fresh, easy, and the flavors mesh and marry wonderfully. It’s my favorite salad to make during those summer months. The salad is topped with a homemade strawberry balsamic vinaigrette and topped with chicken, red onion, avocado, fresh strawberries, nuts, and feta cheese. It’s beyond delicious and I hope you give this one a try;)
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What ingredients do I need?
Well, this salad is super versatile. So if you do not have all the ingredients, that’s okay! I recommend them all because together they create my favorite salad that exists, but I’ll give you a break if you don’t have everything;)
Ingredients for the salad:
- Chicken breast (seasoned with pepper, salt, onion powder, and garlic powder). *If vegan, feel free to omit the chicken.
- Mixed greens
- Strawberries
- Avocado
- Red onion
- Feta cheese
- Pistachios (they add the BEST nutty and sweet flavor that can’t be beat.)
- Sliced almonds (a combo of pistachios and almonds make this salad so crunchy and delectable.)
Ingredients for the vinaigrette:
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Strawberry jam
- Garlic
- Salt
- Black pepper
Most of these ingredients are easy to find at the grocery store. However, I encourage you to sub out anything that will suit you dietary needs or produce stash better! You do you babe.
Why should I make this salad?
The primary reason why you should make this salad is because not only are they fun to make, but they are fun to serve and enjoy. People pay BIG bucks for bougie salads these days. Personally, I’m a fan of saving money (if I can) by making enormous salads at home. Not only are homemade salads better and fresher than restaurants, but they are so fun to serve to guests. They are dietary friendly and completely customizable.
Another reason why I make salads often is because they are great for meal prep throughout the week. I can’t tell you how many times having lettuce, chicken, and a vinaigrette has saved me from having to spend money on store bought food. Making all the salad components at the beginning of the week is the perfect solution for fresh salads on demand. Okay, I’ll stop telling you why you should make this salad. Just do it;)
Other summer recipes?
Maybe you are looking for other fun and fresh summer meal ideas… Check out my list below for more ideas!
- Simple Sweet Potato Salad
- Chicken Curry Salad
- 5 Healthy Lunch Ideas
- Italian Grinder Sandwich
- The BEST Oven- Roasted Vegetables
- The JUICIEST Turkey Burgers
- Easy Guacamole
- Easy Ratatouille
Strawberry Balsamic Salad
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 4 fresh chicken breasts
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
For the vinaigrette: Makes 4-6 servings.
- ½ cup olive oil
- ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp strawberry jam can sub with maple syrup or honey
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
For the salad:
- 4 cups packed mixed greens
- ½ small red onion (sliced)
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- ½ cup feta cheese
- ½ cup chopped pistachios *¾ total of any nut is ideal! But I highly recommend using pistachios for part of them! It adds the best crunch and flavor.
- ¼ cup sliced almonds *¾ total of any nut is ideal!
- 2 ripe avocados (sliced) You can use just 1 avocado depending on its size and your preference!
Instructions
- For the chicken:
- Preheat the oven to 325° F. Line a baking dish with tin foil.
- Season the chicken with the salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Feel free to adjust or change the seasoning according to your preference.
- Bake the chicken for about 30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches a minimum of 165° F. Let the chicken cool as you begin the salad assembly.
For the vinaigrette: (I like to make this while the chicken is cooking.)
- In a medium mason jar, add the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, strawberry jam, minced garlic, and the salt and pepper. Shake vigorously until homogenous and let marinate while you begin the salad assembly.
For the salad: (Feel free to keep the ingredients separate if you are not serving to 4 people right away.)
- In a large bowl, add the mixed greens and sprinkle with the sliced red onions.
- Next, cut the chicken in long strips and lay neatly on the salad.
- Then, place the sliced avocados, fresh strawberries, feta cheese as desired on top of the bed of greens. Sprinkle the pistachios and almonds over the entire salad and then pour the dressing (as much as desired) over the entire salad bowl.
- Mix to combine and serve immediately! Keep leftovers in refrigerator. See my notes below for meal prep.
Notes
Please tell me what you loved about this salad in the comments below!
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