The epitome for spring and summer salads is donning your loaded salad with fresh fruit. This strawberry summer salad is loaded with delicious favorites like mixed greens, strawberries, roasted chicken, candied pecans, feta cheese and a creamy balsamic dressing.
Easy Hacks to Make this Salad Quickly
I love a good shortcut at dinner time and here are a few things I use to shorten the time it takes to make this deliciously filling salad.
The Chicken – I’ve talked about this chicken before, but I really can’t express enough how great the Grilled Mediterranean Chicken from Costco is. It comes already cooked on kabobs and it’s just too easy to use this chicken in pretty much any salad, wrap or dish. Find it at your local Costco in the precooked meats and cheeses section. Don’t have a local Costco? Roast or grill your own chicken at home or use a rotisserie chicken.
The Candied Pecans – These candied pecans are some leftovers from a salad my mom made recently, BUT you can pick some pre-candied pecans at your local grocery store in the produce section. Rather keep it healthier? Just use regular pecans with no salt or sugar added, but let me just say, you are missing out on some flavor.
The Dressing – There’s always time to make your own salad dressing to impress your guests, but a great store bought substitute is Brianna’s New American Creamy Balsamic Dressing. This dressing is one of our favorites at home because of how flavorful it tastes.
Leftovers & Travel Suggestions
Regarding leftovers, I recommend eating this salad day of. With leftover ingredients, store in airtight containers separately.
Taking to a family gathering? Add the pecans and dressing immediately before serving for best tasting results.
Recipe makes 2 large salads.
Ingredients
- 4 c mixed greens
- 1 c cooked chicken – cubed or shredded
- 1 c fresh strawberries – sliced
- ½ c candied pecans
- ½ c feta cheese crumbles
- ½ c creamy balsamic dressing
Instructions
- Start with two large bowls and layer the mixed greens as the base of the salad.
- Add cooked chicken, strawberries, pecans and feta cheese crumbles.
- Drizzle balsamic dressing on top.
