Strawberry Pecan Poppy Seed Chicken Salad Recipe
A refreshing and flavorful Strawberry Pecan Poppy Seed Chicken Salad that combines tender shredded chicken with crunchy pecans, sweet strawberries, and a tangy dressing made of mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice, enhanced with poppy seeds for a delightful crunch. Perfect as a light lunch or a picnic dish, this salad can be served immediately or chilled for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15-20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 2 celery stalks, chopped into 1/4 inch pieces
- 1 green onion, chopped thin
- 5–6 large strawberries, diced
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans
Dressing
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Cut and chop the celery, green onion, strawberries, and pecans. Shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Make the Dressing and Combine: In a mixing bowl, add the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, poppy seeds, pepper, salt, shredded chicken, celery, green onion, and chopped pecans. Stir well to combine and evenly coat the ingredients. Adjust the consistency by adding more mayonnaise or Greek yogurt if necessary.
- Fold in Strawberries: Gently fold in the diced strawberries to the mixture. To maintain strawberry freshness, you may choose to add them just before serving if the salad is prepared in advance.
- Chill and Serve: Serve the salad immediately or cover and chill in the refrigerator for 10 to 20 minutes to let flavors meld and serve chilled as a refreshing dish.
Notes
- For a nuttier flavor, lightly toast the pecans before adding.
- To keep the salad fresh longer, add strawberries just before serving.
- This salad pairs wonderfully with leafy greens, in sandwiches, or on crackers.
- If preferred, substitute mayonnaise with a vegan mayo to make it dairy-free.
Keywords: Strawberry Chicken Salad, Pecan Chicken Salad, Poppy Seed Salad, Healthy Chicken Salad, Summer Salad
