Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad (Printable)
Shredded rotisserie chicken, strawberries, mixed greens and feta tossed in a honey-poppy seed dressing.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Salad Base
01 - 3 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded or chopped
02 - 4 cups mixed spring greens (baby spinach, arugula, or similar)
03 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
04 - 1/2 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
05 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
07 - 1/4 cup roasted pecans or sliced almonds
→ Poppy Seed Dressing
08 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
09 - 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
10 - 2 tablespoons honey
11 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
12 - 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
13 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How-to Steps:
01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the spring greens, shredded rotisserie chicken, sliced strawberries, cucumber, and red onion.
03 - Drizzle the poppy seed dressing over the salad and gently toss until all ingredients are evenly coated.
04 - Top with crumbled feta cheese and roasted pecans or sliced almonds. Serve immediately, garnished with additional strawberry slices if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The pairing of juicy strawberries with savory rotisserie chicken sounds unusual until that first bite changes everything.
- Zero cooking required means you can throw this together even on the hottest days when the stove feels like an enemy.
02 -
- If you dress the salad and let it sit too long, the greens will weep and collapse into a soggy mess, so always add the dressing right before serving.
- Tasting the dressing before you pour it on is nonnegotiable: adjust honey or vinegar until it sings to your palate.
03 -
- Pull the rotisserie chicken meat while it is still warm and the meat practically falls off the bone with minimal effort.
- Toasting the pecans in a dry skillet for three minutes transforms them from good to unforgettable.