Description
This Berry Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing is a fresh and vibrant dish combining tender grilled chicken with sweet and tangy berries, crisp romaine lettuce, and crunchy pecans, all brought together by a creamy, homemade poppy seed dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner, this salad offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
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
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
- Prepare the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chopped chicken breasts with the steak-flavored grill seasoning or your choice of seasoning. Cook the chicken in the skillet for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken pieces are browned and cooked through.
- Assemble the salad base: In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and pecan halves. Gently toss to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Make the poppy seed dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sugar, milk, white vinegar, poppy seeds, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
- Combine salad and dressing: Add the cooked chicken pieces to the salad bowl. Pour the poppy seed dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to ensure everything is coated with the dressing.
- Serve: Divide the salad among four plates or bowls and serve immediately to enjoy the fresh flavors and crunchy textures at their best.
Notes
- For a lighter dressing, substitute half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
- To save time, you can use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken, seasoned to your liking.
- Add a handful of crumbled feta or goat cheese for extra creaminess if desired.
- Make sure to toss the salad gently to avoid crushing the berries.
- The salad is best served fresh but can be prepared a few hours ahead; keep dressing separate until ready to serve.
