Strawberry Spinach Salad with Chicken, Feta, and Toasted Pecans Recipe
This vibrant Strawberry Spinach Salad combines fresh baby spinach, juicy strawberries, shredded rotisserie chicken, toasted pecans, and creamy feta cheese, all tossed in a tangy lemon-Dijon vinaigrette. Perfect as a light, refreshing meal or a hearty side, this salad balances sweet, savory, and nutty flavors with a crisp texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dressing
- 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the Salad
- 2 rotisserie chicken breasts, shredded or cut into 1/2” pieces
- 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 5 cups packed baby spinach (about 5 oz.)
- 2 cups thinly sliced strawberries
- 3/4 cup coarsely chopped toasted pecans, divided
- 5 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the fresh lemon juice and Dijon mustard until combined. While whisking continuously, slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil until the mixture is smooth and emulsified. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Assemble the salad: Add the shredded rotisserie chicken, thinly sliced red onion, packed baby spinach, thinly sliced strawberries, and half (1/2 cup) of the chopped toasted pecans into the bowl with the dressing. Toss everything gently but thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Serve the salad: Divide the salad onto serving plates. Top each plate with the remaining 1/4 cup toasted pecans and a generous sprinkling of crumbled feta cheese for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh strawberries for the best flavor; wash and hull them before slicing.
- To toast pecans, spread them on a baking sheet and toast in a preheated 350°F oven for about 5-7 minutes until fragrant and slightly browned.
- Rotisserie chicken can be replaced with grilled or baked chicken breasts if preferred.
- This salad is best served immediately to retain the crispness of the spinach and freshness of the ingredients.
- For a nut-free version, omit the pecans and consider adding toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds instead.
Keywords: strawberry spinach salad, rotisserie chicken salad, healthy summer salad, easy chicken salad, fresh spinach salad, lemon vinaigrette salad
