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    Home » Recipes » Spring Recipes

    Chicken Strawberry Walnut Salad

    Modified: Nov 8, 2024 · Published: Apr 28, 2023 by Cree · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe

    I want to share one of my favorite salads to serve during strawberry season - it's my go-to Chicken Strawberry Walnut Salad recipe. It's savory, tangy, slightly sweet, and crunchy and this salad is sure to impress.

    overhead shot of ingredients in white bowl before salad is tossed.
    Jump to:
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Equipment
    • Ingredients
    • Ingredient Notes
    • When Are Strawberries in Season
    • How to Make Strawberry Walnut Salad
    • Substitutions
    • Top Tips
    • Storage
    • FAQs
    • More Salad Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    Serving Suggestions

    While this strawberry walnut salad is delicious on its own, another option is to serve it as a side dish alongside Chicken Breast or Crispy Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Thighs or even Broiled Cajun Blackened Cod.

    Equipment

    You don't need any fancy equipment to whip up this irresistible chicken strawberry walnut salad. Simply grab a:

    • Skillet for frying your chicken tenderloins and for making the candied walnuts
    • 3 wide-mouth bowls, containers, baking dishes, or a mixture of the 3 for panko-ing your chicken
    • Sharp knife for slicing the strawberries
    • A large serving bowl or salad bowl
    • Tongs for serving
    • A jar to make the vinaigrette dressing

    Ingredients

    You don't need a long list of ingredients to make this salad. Here's what you'll need:

    ingredients for strawberry walnut salad

    Ingredient Notes

    • Purchase raw chicken tenderloins or raw pre-sliced chicken tenders. These cuts are more convenient and requires less preparation.
    • While I coated my chicken with Cajun seasoning, feel free to experiment with your favorite spice blend just be sure to include kosher salt for more flavor unless you're following a low-sodium diet.
    • When choosing fresh strawberries for this salad, aim for plump, firm, vibrant red strawberries. Overripe strawberries are soft and mushy and can ruin the texture of the salad. Always stick to the freshest strawberries you can find.

    When Are Strawberries in Season

    Typically, strawberry season runs from Spring through early Summer although the exact timing can vary based on where you live.

    To find out when strawberries are in season in your area, check with your local farmers market or grocery store.

    How to Make Strawberry Walnut Salad

    Whether you choose to add juicy panko fried chicken or keep it plant-based, this salad will keep you wanting more. Here's step-by-step instructions on how to make it:

    sliced strawberries in a small silver collander.
    • Rinse strawberries and pat dry gently with paper towels.
    • Using a sharp knife or paring knife, slice strawberries in half lengthwise. Then, take each half and slice the entire half lengthwise (see photo).
    candied walnut in a skillet.
    • Spray skillet with avocado oil. Place over very low heat.
    • Add walnut.
    • Stir in brown sugar. Drizzle in enough honey to get the perfect amount of sweetness for your taste. Transfer to a small plate. Set aside.
    panko chicken tenderloins on a white plate with beige trim.
    • Wash chicken tenderloins and pat dry with paper towels. Season with Cajun seasoning. Create a dredging station: Bowl 1 has all-purpose flour; Bowl 2 has whisked eggs and Bowl 3 has panko crumbs. Dredge each piece of chicken and place a baking sheet.
    • Place a cast iron skillet or other type of skillet over high heat. · Add enough cooking oil to the pan so that it rises up the sides about an inch.
    • Place tenderloins in hot oil and fry for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Then, remove from oil and place on a baking sheet lined with paper towels. Allow to cool then using a sharp knife cut into slices. For detailed directions check out our post for Pan Fried Panko Chicken Breast.
    overhead shot of ingredients in white bowl before salad is tossed.
    • Add your clean green to a large salad bowl.
    • top with strawberries, candied walnuts, and panko chicken.
    • Use tongs or serving utensils and toss to combine. Drizzle with vinaigrette dressing and enjoy.
    all ingredients tossed together in a white bowl with a beige trim.

    Substitutions

    Chicken

    If you're not a fan of a crispy outer coating, there are other ways to cook the chicken. Try searing it on the stove-top or grilling it for a smoky flavor.

    If you prefer dark meat or white meat, boneless skinless chicken thighs are an excellent choice. This cut of meat is naturally more flavorful and versatile making it a great alternative.

    Greens

    Don't be afraid to get creative when it comes to choosing your greens. From peppery arugula to tender baby spinach the possibilities are endless.

    I used a 50/50 mix of baby spinach and spring greens but feel free to use your favorite blend. You can use fresh baby spinach, 50/50 spinach + spring mix salad as I did or a blend of all your favorite greens, for example Swiss chard and/or kale, with romaine lettuce.

    Nuts

    The crispy sweet candied walnuts really takes this salad to the next level and balances the sweetness of the strawberries and the savory chicken.

    If you do not have walnuts on hand, you can easily substitute them with pecans which can also be candied.

    Top Tips

    1. Choose the freshest strawberries that you can find at your local grocery store or farmers market.
    2. Because strawberries are on the dirty dozens list, it's recommended that you purchase organic strawberries.
    3. When dressing your salad, I suggest keeping it simple with a classic vinaigrette. While creamy dressings are delicious, a vinaigrette will allow the sweet strawberries, candied walnuts, and the crunchy panko chicken to really shine through.
    4. I recommend lightly dressing your salad to prevent it from becoming soggy and overly drenched. This will allow all the flavors to really shine through.
    5. Make 2 batches of panko chicken and have the remaining for leftovers the next day to serve with other sides. If you go this route, purchase at least 3 pounds of raw chicken tenderloins or tenders.

    Storage

    Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container with a tight fitting lid and place in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    It's important to note that similar to other leafy salads this salad can become soggy when stored with dressing for an extended period of time. If your meal planning or meal prepping, I recommend storing your vinaigrette in a separate container and adding it just before serving.

    FAQs

    Can I use a different type of nut?

    Sure, you can use almonds or pecans.

    Can this salad be made in advance?

    Yes, store the ingredients in separate airtight containers with tight fitting lids. The vinaigrette should also be stored in a separate container and when ready to serve combine all ingredients, drizzle on the vinaigrette and enjoy.

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    📖 Recipe

    close-up of ingredients in white bowl before salad is tossed.

    Chicken Strawberry Walnut Salad

    By Cree
    Chicken Strawberry Walnut Salad
    This Strawberry Walnut Salad is sure to impress with its savory, tangy, sweet flavors and crunchy texture.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 4 minutes minutes
    Panko Chicken Cook Time: 8 minutes minutes
    Calories: 743kcal
    Chicken Strawberry Walnut Salad

    Equipment

    • 1 Skillet For frying your chicken tenderloins and for making the candied walnuts
    • 3 Wide-mouth bowls Containers, baking dishes, or a mixture of the 3 for panko-ing your chicken
    • 1 Sharp knife For slicing the strawberries
    • 1 Large serving bowl or salad bowl
    • 1 Pair serving spoons or Tongs
    • 1 Jar For making the vinaigrette dressing

    Ingredients 

    • 1 lb 50/20 Spinach and Spring Mix Salad (or a blend of your favorite greens)
    • 16 oz Strawberries

    Candied Walnuts

    • 1 cup Raw walnuts (walnut halves)
    • 2 teaspoon Brown sugar
    • ½ tablespoon Honey (to taste)

    Panko Chicken

    • 1.5 lbs Chicken tenderloins
    • 1 tablespoon Cajun Seasoning
    • 2 teaspoon Kosher salt
    • 4 tablespoon Grapeseed oil
    • 2 cups All purpose flour
    • 2 Eggs
    • 1 cups Panko crumbs

    Dressing

    • 3 tablespoon White wine vinegar
    • 6 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 teaspoon Kosher salt (to taste)
    • 3 teaspoon Honey

    Instructions

    Dressing

    • Combine all ingredients into a jar. Close with lid and shake to combine. Set aside. Before adding the dressing to your salad shake again and drizzle. NOTE: Save any remaining dressing for another day.

    Strawberries

    • Rinse strawberries and pat dry gently with paper towels. Using a sharp knife or paring knife, slice strawberries in half lengthwise. Then, take each half and slice the entire half lengthwise (see photo). Set aside.

    Candy Walnut

    • Spray skillet with avocado oil. Place over very low heat. Stir in brown sugar. Drizzle in enough honey to get the perfect amount of sweetness for your taste. Transfer to a small plate. Set aside.

    Panko Chicken

    • Wash chicken tenderloins and pat dry with paper towels. Season with Cajun seasoning. Create a dredging station: Bowl 1 has all-purpose flour; Bowl 2 has whisked eggs and Bowl 3 has panko crumbs. Dredge each piece of chicken and place a baking sheet.
    • Place a cast iron skillet or other type of skillet over high heat. · Add enough cooking oil to the pan so that it rises up the sides about an inch.
    • Place tenderloins in hot oil and fry for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Then, remove from oil and place on a baking sheet lined with paper towels. Allow to cool then using a sharp knife cut into slices. For detailed directions check out our post for Pan Fried Panko Chicken Breast.

    Combine Ingredients

    • Add your clean greens to a large salad bowl. Top with strawberries, candied walnuts, and panko chicken. Use tongs or serving utensils and toss ingredients to combine. Lightly dress by drizzling with your vinaigrette and enjoy.

    Notes

    • Choose the freshest strawberries that you can find at your local grocery store or farmers market.
     
    • Because strawberries are on the dirty dozens list, it's recommended that you purchase organic strawberries.
     
    • When dressing your strawberry walnut salad, I suggest keeping it simple with a classic vinaigrette. While creamy dressings are delicious, a vinaigrette will allow the sweet strawberries, candied walnuts, and the crunchy panko chicken to really shine through.
     
    • I recommend lightly dressing your salad to prevent it from becoming soggy and overly drenched. This will allow all the flavors to really shine through.
     
    • Make 2 batches of panko chicken and have the remaining for leftovers the next day to serve with other sides. If you go this route, purchase at least 3 pounds of raw chicken tenderloins or tenders.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 743kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 19g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 127mg | Sodium: 1840mg | Potassium: 1162mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 7790IU | Vitamin C: 67mg | Calcium: 150mg | Iron: 6mg

    Nutrition Disclaimer

    Nutritional information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. For the most accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information using the specific ingredients and brands you use.

    Tried this Recipe? Don’t forget to give this recipe a Star Rating and Leave a Comment below- I’d love to hear from you.
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    HEY, I'M CREE

    I’m excited to share all things food from my perspective while bringing together Southern, Cajun, and Soul food with a modern vibe so if we haven't met.

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