Description
A fresh and vibrant Strawberry Poppy Seed Pecan Chicken Salad combining tender chicken, crunchy pecans, smoky turkey bacon, and juicy strawberries tossed in a sweet and tangy poppy seed dressing. Perfect for a healthy lunch or light dinner with balanced flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded or diced
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
- 1/2 cup pecans, lightly toasted
- 4 cups mixed greens (lettuce and spinach blend)
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
Dressing Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 tablespoon honey (natural)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
- Pinch of salt, to taste
- Pinch of black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon natural gelling agent
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients: Cook chicken breasts until tender, then shred or dice them. Cook smoked turkey bacon until crisp and chop into bite-sized pieces. Slice fresh strawberries and thinly slice red onion. Wash and dry the mixed greens thoroughly to keep the salad crisp.
- Make the poppy seed dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, honey, olive oil, poppy seeds, salt, pepper, and natural gelling agent until fully combined and smooth.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, shredded chicken, smoked turkey bacon pieces, sliced strawberries, sliced red onion, and toasted pecans. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve fresh, garnished with extra strawberries or chopped pecans for added crunch and visual appeal.
Notes
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best sweetness and juiciness.
- Lightly toast pecans to enhance their flavor and crunch.
- Chill the dressing for 15 minutes before using to intensify flavors.
- Dry the greens thoroughly to prevent sogginess.
- Prepare turkey bacon just before mixing to keep it crispy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: strawberry salad, chicken salad, poppy seed dressing, pecan salad, healthy lunch, light dinner, fruit salad
