Indulge in the epitome of summer freshness with this vibrant Summer Berry Chicken Salad that combines a perfect balance of sweet and savory. Tender grilled chicken breast, seasoned to perfection complementing the crisp greens. The salad is topped with fresh avocado, blueberries, strawberries, maple candied pecans, and blue cheese crumbles. My homemade Strawberry Vinaigrette adds a refreshing tangy-sweetness that elevates this summer berry chicken salad to new heights!
I love a good salad, and I'm always thinking of how to switch things around to keep it interesting. I love to include a little bit of protein and healthy fats. Add some antioxidants like berries, and something crunchy. I candied the pecans in maple syrup. They take only 2 minutes to make and they are so good! Also, a good homemade salad dressing is key and is quicker made than you think. Although you can always use store-bought if time doesn't allow, however, try to stay away from processed foods if you can ๐
The Strawberry Dressing is the real star here! Made with ripe strawberries blended with a touch of balsamic vinegar, zesty lemon, and a touch of honey. Leave little bits of strawberries in it - It is so good, I could literally drink it ๐
HOW TO MAKE THIS SUMMER BERRY CHICKEN SALAD + TIP ON HOW TO MAKE YOUR CHICKEN SUPER JUICY!
STRAWBERRY VINAIGRETTE:
- 1ย cupย fresh strawberries
- 1ย tbspย honey
- ยฝย lime, juiced
- 1ย tbspย white balsamic vinegar
- โ ย tspย salt
- dash pepper
- 1ย tbspย olive oil
MAPLE CANDIED PECANS:
- โ ย cupย pecan nuts
- 1ย tbspย maple syrup (alternatively use brown sugar)
- ยผย tspย sea salt
BERRY CHICKEN SALAD INGREDIENTS:
- 3ย cupsย mixed greens (I used a lettuce & spinach mix)
- 1ย avocado, sliced
- 1ย cupย strawberries, sliced
- 1ย cupย blueberries
- โ ย cupย blue cheese crumbles (or your favorite cheese)
- 2ย whole skinless boneless chicken breasts. Season with sea salt, pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, or substitute with fresh oregano and thyme
- 1ย cupย chicken stock, bone broth, or water
BERRY CHICKEN SALAD INSTRUCTION
- StrawberryVinaigrette: 1. Cut the Strawberries into small pieces, then smash them with a fork, or if you have a mortar with a pestle this will work great. Add the honey, and allow to macerate.ย However, I don't recommend blending, because the dressing will not come out the same. It will be too emulsified and will not have the same rich color! 2. Add all other ingredients, and whisk to combine.
- Candied Pecans: Add the pecan nuts with the sea salt to a small skillet. Drizzle the maple syrup and stir frequently over medium heat until the nuts have clustered and toasted about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove them from the skillet to a plate or foil. Once cooled, break them apart.
- Chicken breast: Season the chicken with sea salt, and pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Alternatively, you can use oregano. Saute the chicken with a little bit of avocado oil (olive oil, coconut oil, canola, and butter are all ok) on medium/high heat for 2 minutes on each side. Once you see a nice browned color on the chicken, turn down the heat to medium/low. If you have chicken or bone broth, pour approximately 1 cup into the pan. Cover the pan with a lid, and cook for another 2 minutes or so. Depending on the thickness of the chicken breast, you will want to make a little cut to check if there is no more pink. If there is cook for another 1-2 minutes. The internal temperature of perfectly cooked chicken is 165ยฐ F. This is the chicken to super juicy Chicken ๐
- Assemble the Salad: Arrange the salad greens on a big platter then top with the sliced avocado, strawberries, blueberries, cheese crumbles, and pecans. Slice the chicken breasts and place them on top of the greens. Serve the Strawberry Dressing on the side. Voila. I hope you will enjoy it!
EXPLORE MORE FRESH SUMMER SALADS
SUMMER STONE-FRUIT SALAD WITH BURRATA
SUMMER BERRY KALE SALAD WITH A MEDJOOL DATE VINAIGRETTE
SUMMER SALAD WITH GRILLED SALMON & HERB TAHINI DRESSING
ARUGULA - FIG SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE
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Recipe
Fitness Salad
Ingredients
Strawberry Vinaigrette:
- 1 cup fresh strawberries
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ยฝ lime, juiced
- 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
- โ teaspoon salt
- dash pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Maple candied pecans:
- โ cup pecan nuts
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (alternatively use brown sugar)
- ยผ teaspoon sea salt
Salad Ingredients:
- 3 cups mixed greens (I used a lettuce & spinach mix)
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 cup strawberries, sliced
- 1 cup blueberries
- โ cup bluecheese crumbles (or your favorite cheese)
- 2 whole skinless boneless chicken breast. Season with sea salt, pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning/oregano
- 1 cup chicken stock, bone broth, or water
Instructions
- StrawberryVinaigrette:1. Cut Strawberries into small pieces, then smash with a fork, or if you have a mortar with a pestle this will work great. Add the honey, and allow to macerate. I don't recommend blending, because the dressing will not come out the same. It will be too emulsified and will not have the same rich color! 2. Add all other ingredients, and whisk to combine. Candied Pecans:Add the pecan nuts with the sea salt to a small skillet. Add the maple syrup and stir frequently over medium heat until the nuts have clustered and toasted about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove them from the skillet to a plate or foil. Once cooled, break them apart.Chicken breast:Season the chicken with sea salt, pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Alternatively, you can use oregano. Saute the chicken with a little bit of avocado oil (olive oil, coconut oil, canola, butter are all ok) on medium/high heat for 2 minutes on each side. Once you got a nice browned color on the chicken, turn down the heat to medium/low. If you have chicken broth or bone broth, pour about 1 cup into the pan. Cover the pan with a lid, and cook for another 2 minutes or so. Depending on the thickness of the chicken breast, you will want to make a little cut to check if there is no more pink. If there is cook for another 1-2 minutes. The internal temperature of perfectly cooked chicken is 165ยฐ F. This is the chicken to super juicy Chicken ๐Assemble the Salad:Either on a big platter or two individual salad plates arrange the salad greens. then top with the sliced avocado, strawberries, blueberries, cheese crumbles, and pecans. Slice the chicken breast and place them on top of the greens. Serve the Strawberry Dressing on the side. Voila. I hope you will enjoy it!
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