This quick chicken and strawberries salad is a great way to use up leftover chicken and make the most of seasonal fruits. Plus, it's a healthy lunch option you can make in just a few minutes! It only has 4 ingredients (unless you include dressing), so it's simple to throw together. It's loaded with iron, protein, antioxidants and has very little fat.
The base is made of baby spinach leaves.
Shredded chicken breasts are the second ingredient.
Cashews come next for added protein.
Fresh strawberries are the fourth and final ingredient. So easy!
Attention strawberry lovers: This simple salad hits the spot and has less than 5 ingredients. #strawberries #quicklunch Click To Tweet
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4-Ingredient Salad with Chicken & Strawberries
This ingredient list will make 2 salads the size of the salad pictured above.
YOU’LL NEED: 3 cups baby spinach leaves + 3/4 cup cooked and shredded chicken breasts + 1 cup freshly sliced strawberries + 1/2 cup cashews + 1/4 cup brianna’s home style poppy seed dressing (optional)
Rinse the baby spinach leaves well, drain, and then add them to 2 salad bowls. Split the shredded chicken evenly amongst both bowls. (I typically use leftover grilled chicken from the night before or a rotisserie chicken that I pick up from the grocery store, shred, and keep on hand specifically for adding to salads.)
Add cashews to each bowl. I didn't use as many as the recipe calls for on this particular salad, because these were heavily salted and I'm watching my sodium intake. Finally, split the strawberries and add them as the final topper.
It's a snap to make this salad, and it's a great energy booster since spinach is high in iron. I added the chicken and nuts for protein, because I try to include protein with every meal. Strawberries are in season at the moment, and they taste so sweet that I'm buying them like crazy!
Sometimes I'll add Briannas Home Style Rich Poppy Seed Dressing
TIP: Consider adding fresh blueberries, too. You can swap out the cashews for candied pecans if you prefer to keep it on the sweet side.
Why It's Important to Support Local Farmers
Seasonal fruits and veggies are not only good for you, but by purchasing them locally you'll support neighbors. Here are a few reasons why you should buy seasonal fruits (or veggies).
1. They're inexpensive. When a fruit is in season, there are typically large quantities available. If an abundance of ripe fruit is available — with more constantly arriving — markets will keep the prices low to move the product quickly. It's the basic law of supply and demand.
2. They taste better. If fruit is in season locally, it doesn't have to be shipped from some distant location or grown in a greenhouse. If it doesn't have to be shipped from far away, that means you're receiving a fresher product. And fresher definitely tastes better!
3. You'll support the local economy. By purchasing locally sourced foods, you can keep jobs within your community and help local farmers support their families. Plus, it just feels good to have a friendly relationship with your local farmer!
Have a happy and healthy week, and let me know your favorite sites for salad ideas.
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oh my…. this looks fabulous! I never thought of a chicken/strawberry combo in a salad, and I think it looks really really good! This is definitely something I am going to try! 🙂
Enjoy! It’s really good. 🙂
This looks like the salad of my dreams, I’m not even joking. The cashews, the strawberries, the spinach…. I definitely have to try it as SOON as possible!
Ha! Maybe I should’ve called it “dreamy chicken & strawberries salad”? 😉
This is what I should be eating. It looks healthy and filled with the vitamins and energy I need daily.
It’s a great option, Paula! The spinach is filled with iron, the chicken & cashews contain protein, and strawberries are one of the best antioxidant food sources of all the fruits. 🙂
Great ideas! I forget you can make most yummy salads at home. I can handle this recipe! I’m putting it on my goal this month! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂 It’s about as easy to make as a salad can get!
This looks great! I have been looking for different healthy lunch ideas for myself since i began my new health regime. This looks like a great option for me! 🙂
Hope you like it. It’s very, very easy!
Oh my goodness. This salad really looks appetizing!
Thanks. It was yummy! 🙂
I love a chicken strawberry salad but have thought to add cashews. That sounds so appealing. I am going to add this to my weekly menu as I am trying really hard to stick with the healthy stuff this year. And as a plus I think my son and fiance would actually enjoy this too.
Thanks for stopping by Katrina! I hope you like it and that your son and fiance enjoy it, too. It tastes really good with Brianna’s Poppy Seed Dressing on it. (You’ll have to do a search and images will pop up w/that dressing. For some reason I’m unable to link in the comments.)
This sounds so good. I love the cashews and strawberries in this. Thank you for sharing
This recipe looked so good, I copied it down. I am going to make it this up and coming weekend. I thank you so much for the share.
You’re very welcome. I hope you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by.
Looks really delicious. I am always looking for new salad recipes. I love salads, and the strawberries I bet are so good and gives the salad a bit of sweetness.
Yes, you’re right–they add the perfect amount of sweetness. 🙂
This looks delicious. I think I would love anything with strawberries in it!
I agree! 🙂
This looks delicious!
Thanks Helen. Hope you’re having an awesome day. 🙂
This looks great!
I used to think “what?? strawberries on a salad? are these people mad?” then I tried it.
mmmmmmm! 🙂
thanks!
One of my favorite salad toppings. 🙂 I just love fresh fruit! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
This looks really delicious. I would love to give it a try.
Thanks, Denise. I had a similar version for lunch today that was yummy. Same spinach base with strawberries and chicken, but I added dried cranberries, glazed pecans (instead of the cashews), and coconut slivers. Delish! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Oh my this looks so yummy!
Thanks, Deneen. I am pretty much a fan of fresh strawberries in anything. Hope you’re doing well. 🙂
This looks yummy! I am fond of strawberries in my salads. Thanks for linking my ice cream recipe. xo
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Anytime. Keep up the great work! XOXO, e