Strawberry Pecan Poppy Seed Chicken Salad Recipe
This Strawberry Pecan Poppy Seed Chicken Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish combining tender shredded chicken with crisp celery, sweet strawberries, crunchy pecans, and a tangy dressing of mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, and Dijon mustard. The addition of poppy seeds adds a subtle nutty crunch, making this salad perfect for a light lunch or a delightful picnic treat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10-15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 2 celery stalks, chopped into 1/4 inch pieces
- 1 green onion, thinly chopped
- 5–6 large strawberries, diced
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Cut and chop all ingredients as specified—shred the chicken, chop celery and green onion, and dice the strawberries.
- Mix Dressing and Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, chopped celery, green onion, pecans, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, poppy seeds, black pepper, and salt. Stir well to evenly coat all ingredients. Adjust the consistency by adding more mayo or yogurt as desired.
- Add Strawberries: Fold in the diced strawberries gently to avoid mashing them. Alternatively, add strawberries just before serving if preparing ahead of time to maintain their freshness.
- Chill or Serve: Serve the salad immediately or chill it in the refrigerator for 10-20 minutes to enhance flavor melding and serve cold.
Notes
- For a lighter option, use low-fat mayonnaise and Greek yogurt.
- Add strawberries last to prevent them from becoming mushy, especially if making ahead.
- Chilling the salad helps the flavors meld and improves texture.
- To make it gluten-free, ensure the Dijon mustard is gluten-free.
- Can be served on a bed of greens or inside sandwich bread or wraps.
Keywords: chicken salad, strawberry chicken salad, pecan chicken salad, poppy seed dressing, healthy chicken salad, no cook chicken salad
