Description
A fresh and flavorful Strawberry Pecan Poppy Seed Chicken Salad combining tender shredded chicken with crunchy pecans, juicy strawberries, and a creamy poppy seed dressing. Perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner, this salad balances savory and sweet elements with a tangy, creamy dressing.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 2 celery stalks, chopped into 1/4 inch pieces
- 1 green onion, thinly chopped
- 5-6 large strawberries, diced
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Cut and chop all the fresh ingredients as directed: shred the chicken, chop celery into small pieces, thinly slice the green onion, and dice the strawberries to ensure even texture and flavor distribution in the salad.
- Mix Dressing with Salad Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, celery, green onion, pecans, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, poppy seeds, pepper, and salt. Stir thoroughly to coat all ingredients uniformly. Adjust the creaminess by adding more mayo or yogurt as needed to reach your preferred consistency.
- Fold in Strawberries: Gently fold the diced strawberries into the mixture. For best freshness and to prevent the strawberries from becoming mushy, add them just before serving if preparing the salad in advance.
- Chill and Serve: Serve the chicken salad immediately for a fresh taste or chill it in the refrigerator for 10-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. The salad is delicious served on its own, on a bed of greens, or as a sandwich filling.
Notes
- Adding strawberries just before serving helps maintain their texture and freshness.
- Adjust mayonnaise and Greek yogurt quantities to achieve desired dressing consistency.
- Chilling the salad enhances the flavor but is not required.
- For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with additional Greek yogurt.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
