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You are here: Home / Recipes / Summer

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Chicken and Avocado

📋 Modified: Jul 8, 2024 Published: Jul 2, 2020 by 👩🏻‍🍳 Jami Powell · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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Strawberry Spinach Salad with Chicken and Avocado is made with fresh spinach, sweet strawberries, creamy avocado, tender chicken, and tangy gorgonzola cheese. This chicken salad recipe is tossed with toasted pecans and a simple balsamic vinaigrette for the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and crunchy textures.

Large white bowl of strawberry spinach salad with avocado and pecans

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This Chicken Strawberry Spinach Salad is sweet, savory, and perfect for warm-weather meals. Ready in minutes with bold flavor and fresh ingredients!

If you like this salad recipe, you may also love Strawberry Avocado Salad or Gorgonzola Pecan Salad.

Jump to:
  • Why We Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Substitutions & Variations
  • How to Make a Strawberry Spinach Salad with Chicken and Avocado
  • Expert Tips for Success
  • Storage
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Related
  • More Fruit Salad Recipes You'll Love ♥️
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Share Your Thoughts

Why We Love This Recipe

  • Deliciously Fresh Ingredients: Combines the sweetness of strawberries with the savory flavors of chicken and gorgonzola cheese.
  • Quick and Easy to Prepare: Perfect for busy weeknights or a quick lunch.
  • Nutrient-Rich: Packed with vitamins, protein, and healthy fats.
  • Versatile and Customizable: Easily adjust the ingredients to suit your taste or dietary needs.

Ingredients

  • Chicken: Use grilled or pan-seared chicken breasts for added flavor.
  • Strawberries: Fresh and sweet, these berries add a burst of color and flavor.
  • Avocado: Adds a creamy texture and healthy fats.
  • Pecans: Toasted for extra crunch and a nutty flavor.
  • Gorgonzola Cheese: Crumbled for a tangy twist.
  • Spinach: Fresh baby spinach works best for this leafy greens salad.
  • Red Onion: Thinly sliced to add a bit of bite.
  • Balsamic Vinegar & Olive Oil: For a simple yet flavorful homemade balsamic vinaigrette.

A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

Substitutions & Variations

  • Chicken: Substitute with deli chicken or turkey, or omit entirely.
  • Gorgonzola Cheese: Use feta or goat cheese for a milder flavor.
  • Pecans: Swap with walnuts or almonds if preferred.

How to Make a Strawberry Spinach Salad with Chicken and Avocado

STEP ONE: Prepare the Chicken

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper.

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes on each side.

Transfer to a baking dish and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice.

STEP TWO: Prepare the Salad Ingredients

In a large salad bowl, combine the baby spinach, sliced strawberries, diced avocado, toasted pecans, crumbled gorgonzola cheese, and thinly sliced red onion.

STEP THREE: Make the Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar and 6 tablespoons of olive oil.

STEP FOUR: Assemble the Salad

Add the sliced chicken strips to the salad. Drizzle the homemade balsamic vinaigrette over the salad. Toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.

Expert Tips for Success

👩‍🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!

✔️ DO Cool the chicken before adding it to the salad so the spinach does not wilt.
✔️ DO Use fresh, in-season strawberries.
✔️ DO Toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant.

Storage

Store leftover chicken strawberry spinach salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Dress the salad just before serving to keep the ingredients fresh.

Recipe FAQs

How do you keep spinach from getting soggy in a salad?

To prevent spinach from getting soggy, store it in an airtight container with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture. When making the salad, add the dressing right before serving to keep the leaves crisp. If prepping in advance, layer heartier ingredients like chicken and nuts at the bottom and place delicate ingredients on top.

What protein goes well with a strawberry spinach salad?

Chicken is a great option, but other proteins work just as well. Grilled shrimp adds a light, summery touch. Tofu or chickpeas are excellent plant-based alternatives, and hard-boiled eggs provide extra protein without meat.

What cheese pairs best with strawberries in a salad?

Gorgonzola adds a tangy contrast to the sweetness of strawberries, but feta provides a milder, slightly salty taste. Goat cheese is creamy with a hint of tang, while Parmesan shavings add a nutty, savory balance. Each option brings a unique flavor to the salad, depending on your preference.

Close up of Healthy Chicken Strawberry Spinach Salad with Avocado and Pecans feature image

Related

  • Berry Delicious Salad
  • Orange Citrus Salad
  • Blackberry and Kiwi Spinach Salad
  • Grilled Peach Salad

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Did You Like This Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe?

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📖 Recipe

Close up of Healthy Chicken Strawberry Spinach Salad with Avocado and Pecans feature image

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Chicken and Avocado

Jami Powell
Strawberry Spinach Salad with Chicken and Avocado is a delicious blend of fresh ingredients, perfect for a quick weekday lunch or a special family gathering. This delicious salad combines the natural sweetness of strawberries with creamy avocado, gorgonzola cheese, and toasted pecans, all tossed together with tender chicken and fresh spinach.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Lunch, Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 773 kcal

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • Large Salad bowl
  • Small Mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Knife
  • Cutting board

Ingredients
  

  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for cooking chicken
  • 5-6 cups baby spinach
  • 1 cup strawberries hulled and sliced
  • 1 avocado diced
  • ½ cup pecans toasted
  • ½ cup gorgonzola cheese crumbled
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion optional
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Dressing

  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Season chicken with salt and pepper.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sear chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Transfer to a baking dish and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
  • Whisk together balsamic vinegar and olive oil in a small bowl.
  • In a large bowl, combine spinach, strawberries, avocado, pecans, gorgonzola cheese, and red onion. Add sliced chicken.
  • Drizzle the dressing over the salad, toss gently to combine, and divide into four servings. Serve immediately.

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Notes

Storage Store leftover chicken strawberry spinach salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Dress the salad just before serving to keep the ingredients fresh.
Freeze This dish is not recommended for freezing.
Reheat To reheat the chicken, warm it gently in a skillet over low heat until just heated through.
Substitutions
  • Chicken: Substitute with deli chicken or turkey, or omit entirely.
  • Gorgonzola Cheese: Use feta or goat cheese for a milder flavor.
  • Pecans: Swap with walnuts or almonds if preferred.
Adjustments Cooking time may need to be adjusted based on the geography of the area (high vs. low elevation), cookware (stoneware vs traditional bakeware), and outdoor temperature if grilling.
Nutrition information is only an estimate

Nutrition

Calories: 773kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 55gFat: 56gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 35gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 140mgSodium: 467mgPotassium: 1480mgFiber: 6gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 4413IUVitamin C: 40mgCalcium: 161mgIron: 4mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @powell.family.cooking on Instagram

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