Description
This Berry Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing combines juicy grilled chicken with a medley of fresh berries and crunchy pecans, all tossed in a sweet and tangy homemade poppy seed dressing. Perfect for a light and refreshing lunch or dinner, this salad offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures, making healthy eating delicious and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 10 oz. boneless skinless chicken breasts, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 2 teaspoons steak-flavored grill seasoning, or any all-purpose seasoning spice mix
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup chopped strawberries
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1/2 cup pecan halves
For the Poppy Seed Dressing
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 3 Tablespoons sugar
- 2 Tablespoons milk
- 2 Tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped chicken breasts and season with the steak-flavored grill seasoning or your preferred all-purpose seasoning. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown on the outside. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sugar, milk, white vinegar, poppy seeds, salt, and ground black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and pecan halves. Add the cooked chicken on top.
- Toss with Dressing: Pour the poppy seed dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Serve: Divide the salad among four plates or bowls and serve immediately for the freshest taste.
Notes
- You can substitute pecan halves with walnuts or almonds for different nutty flavors.
- For a lighter dressing, use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise.
- Make sure to not overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- This salad is best served fresh; however, you can prepare the dressing and chicken in advance to save time.
- Add a sprinkle of feta or goat cheese for a creamy texture contrast if desired.
