Strawberry Fields Salad is juicy strawberries, chicken, bacon, feta cheese and dried cranberries tossed in spring greens and a flavorful balsamic dressing.  It’s the ultimate loaded spring and summer salad!

overhead shot of strawberry fields salad in white serving bowl with wooden servers

**This recipe was originally published in July 2015.  I’ve simplified the recipe and updated the photos and text.

The weather has warmed up considerably, so I’m finally ready to turn away from comfort food and embrace all the fresh produce that spring has to offer.  

Plus, after weeks in lockdown, I need to adjust my eating habits!  Loaded salads like this Strawberry Fields Salad are comforting too, in a fresh and wholesome way.   

There’s so much goodness, flavor and texture in this salad that it never, ever leaves me feeling deprived. 

My other favorite loaded salads are my Salmon Nicoise Salad, Shrimp Louie Salad and Santa Fe Chicken Salad.  You just can’t beat them this time of year!

strawberry fields salad in a bowl with sliced strawberries and chicken on top

Why you’ll love this recipe:

  • This is no boring salad!  It’s bursting with sweet and savory flavors and includes a variety of textures and it’s naturally gluten free.
  • This loaded salad is packed with protein, which makes it hearty and satisfying.
  • Leftover or rotisserie chicken work perfectly in this recipe.
  • This strawberry fields chicken salad is customizable with whatever greens, nuts, cheese or protein that you have on hand.  Omit the meats to make vegetarian!

Recipe ingredients

There are quite a few ingredients in this salad, and that’s what makes it interesting.  It’s a wonderful combination of sweet and savory flavors with crunchy, chewy textures tossed with crisp, fresh spring greens.

The ingredients may be prepped in advance so that all you have to do when you’re ready to enjoy it is toss everything together.

It really doesn’t get any better than this. 🙂

ingredients for strawberry fields salad

  • Chicken.  I used leftover grilled chicken breast seasoned simply with smoked paprika, salt and pepper.  Rotisserie chicken also works perfectly in this strawberry fields salad recipe.
  • Bacon.  The bacon adds a nice salty, crunchy element.  You can certainly cook the bacon in advance and store it in refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble your salad.
  • Spring greens.  Spring or mixed greens are my favorite for this salad, but you can truly use whatever greens you have on hand!
  • Strawberries.  The strawberries are the true star of this salad.  This time of year they’re so sweet and juicy that they take this salad right over the top!
  • Feta cheese.  Feta adds a creamy, salty, tangy flavor, and it truly pulls all of the ingredients together.  If you don’t care for feta, goat cheese would be a great substitute.
  • Red onion.  The red onion adds a wonderful savory bite to this salad.  It can be quite pungent, so be sure to shave it thinly.  If it’s not for you, green onions would be a great substitute.
  • Dried cranberries.  Tart, chewy dried cranberries add great texture and flavor here.  Dried cherries would be a wonderful substitute.
  • Toasted pecans.  I love purchasing pre-toasted pecans from Trader Joe’s for this salad.  Walnuts or almonds would be a terrific substitution.  
  • Balsamic dressing.  My homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing is my go-to for this salad.  It’s very easy to make and may be made in advance.  Use your favorite store bought dressing if desired.

How to make this recipe

This salad is very easy to make, and each component may be prepped ahead of time.

  • Prepare the chicken.  Grill or bake your chicken breast seasoned simply with salt and pepper and a sprinkle of smoked paprika, or use leftover or rotisserie chicken.  Chop or slice the chicken.
  • Prepare the bacon.  Cook the bacon according to package instructions, either in a skillet, in the oven or the microwave.  After cooking, blot dry on paper towels and crumble when cool enough to handle.
  • Toast the pecans.  Place the pecans on a rimmed baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until fragrant.
  • Prepare the dressing.  This may be done right before assembling your salad or in advance.
  • Prep the salad ingredients.  Chop the strawberries and red onion, and gather the cranberries and feta cheese.
  •  Assemble the salad.  Do not assemble the salad until just before serving.  Place the spring greens in a large bowl, followed by the chicken, bacon, strawberries, feta cheese, red onion, dried cranberries and pecans.  Toss gently with the desired amount of dressing and serve immediately.

Recipe notes

  • Leftover or rotisserie chicken work perfectly in this recipe.
  • The balsamic vinaigrette dressing may be made in advance and stored in airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • To toast pecans: place the pecans on a rimmed baking sheet at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until fragrant. Use pre-toasted pecan pieces from Trader Joe’s as a time saver.
  • This Strawberry Fields Salad is customizable with whatever greens, nuts, cheese or protein that you have on hand!

close up of strawberry fields salad with balsamic dressing on top and spoon buried inside bowl

See all of my Salad recipes.

More strawberry recipes you’ll love:

If you make this recipe I’d love to hear from you!  Leave a comment and rating below or tag me @flavorthemoments on Instagram!

overhead shot of strawberry fields salad in white serving bowl with wooden servers

Strawberry Fields Salad

Servings: 6 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Additional Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Strawberry Fields Salad is juicy strawberries, chicken, bacon, feta cheese and dried cranberries tossed in spring greens and a flavorful balsamic dressing.  It's the ultimate loaded spring and summer salad!
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Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast chopped (about 1 lb. chicken breast)
  • 4 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
  • 5 ounces spring greens
  • 1 1/2 cups strawberries hulled and sliced
  • 1/2 small red onion thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/2 cup pecan pieces toasted*
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • [Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing]

Instructions 

  • Place all the salad ingredients in a large bowl.
  • Add the desired amount of dressing and toss to coat. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  • Leftover or rotisserie chicken work perfectly in this recipe.
  • The balsamic vinaigrette dressing may be made in advance and stored in airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • To toast pecans: place the pecans on a rimmed baking sheet at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until fragrant. Use pre-toasted pecan pieces from Trader Joe's as a time saver.
  • This Strawberry Fields Salad is customizable with whatever greens, nuts, cheese or protein that you have on hand!

Nutrition

Serving: 1g, Calories: 267kcal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 58mg, Sodium: 339mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 10g

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Author: Marcie
Keyword: strawberry fields salad, strawberry fields salad recipe
All recipes and images © Flavor the Moments.
Did you try this recipe?Be sure to tag @flavorthemoments with the hashtag #flavorthemoments on Instagram so I can see what you made!

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