Strawberry Fields Salad
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!
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!
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. 🙂
- 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!
See all of my Salad recipes.
More strawberry recipes you’ll love:
- Strawberry banana muffins
- Strawberry jam
- Strawberry lemon drop
- Strawberry rhubarb pie
- Strawberry spinach salad
- Strawberry shortcake by Taste of Home
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
Strawberry Fields Salad
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
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
**This recipe was originally published in July 2015. I’ve simplified the recipe and updated the photos and text.
59 Comments on “Strawberry Fields Salad”
Berries in balsamic definitely make the perfect combination! This salad looks absolutely gorgeous, Marcie! Panzanella is one of my favorite kinds, though I’ve never thought to make it at home. What a great idea to combine it with strawberries! Looks just perfect. Pinned!
Thank you so much, Gayle! Panzanellas are very special salads for me, and the crunchy focaccia bread croutons made this even better. And of course all those sweet strawberries and balsamic! 🙂
Love how you used strawberries in the dressing! So delicious 🙂
Thank you, Medha! 🙂
I LOVE this group!! Always so inspiring and getting me to eat more of the fruits and veggies in season. This salad is fresh and EPIC. That’s all!!
Haha! Fresh and epic is a very nice compliment — thank you!! 🙂
Glad you’re part of our group, Marcie. And love this salad. Because strawberries AND bread = two of my favorite things. 🙂
Thanks so much, Liz! The focaccia bread croutons were almost my favorite part…almost. 🙂
SOOO pretty! Welcome to the eat seasonal club! xxx
Thank you so much, Aimee! I’m thrilled to be a part of this group!
This is such a gorgeous salad, Marcie! The strawberry vinaigrette sounds sensational and perfect with everything in here! Yay for all these seasonal recipes, love it! I always think of you first when I think of fresh seasonal produce 🙂
You’re so sweet — thank you so much, Kelly! 🙂
I have the prettiest pint of strawberries at home, just waiting to be used up. I can’t wait to use them to make this salad. Delicious!
I hope you get to make this soon, Natalie! Bet your baby loves strawberries. 🙂
So glad to have your inspiration in the #eatseasonal group Marcie! I bet your husband was over the moon with this salad. And focaccia croutons… come on!!
Thank you so much, Becky — this group is wonderful! My family did love this — and the croutons almost didn’t make it into the salad! haha
I love berries and balsamic too! And the color of that dressing is just gorgeous! Bright and colorful salads like this are just perfect for the summertime! I could live on these this season and be happy 🙂
Thank you, Izzy! I can truly live on salads like this, too! 🙂
haha oh man, I never live things down when I admit my husband was right about something …. especially food related!!!
LOVE the sound of this salad. That dressing! The color!
My husband loves to be right, too. Ugh! Hope you had a great 4th! 🙂
I adore panzanella and this is SUCH a fun version of it!
Thanks, Cathy — it was fun! 🙂
Loving all of the fresh flavors in this – strawberries are so sweet this year!1
Thank you, Liz! Strawberries are so amazing right now! 🙂
Love strawberries and balsamic and this salad looks gorgeous! Perfect for summer! Definitely a great inspiration to cook with seasonal produce!Pinning to try it!
Thank you, Mira, and I appreciate the pin! 🙂
Niiiiice Marcie! What a gorgeous looking salad. I can see why you are totally hooked on it. I know that if I tried it, I would be hooked too!
Thanks, Kristi! Hope you’re having a great weekend! 🙂
I am seriously drooling over this salad, Marcie! I’ve just made my first ever panzanella salad a month or two ago (and totally have one planned for the blog), but this combination with the strawberries looks unreal!
Thank you, Denise! Panzanellas are one of my favorite salads, and these focaccia croutons were terribly addicting. Can’t wait to see your version!
This is my kind of salad Marcie! Love that you made croutons out of focaccia. 🙂
Thanks, Christin! Those croutons almost didn’t make it in the salad. 🙂
Thank you, Dannii! And that balsamic just works magic on the berries! 🙂
I have been on such a salad kick lately – this looks like a great one to try soon!
Thanks, Jamie!
Balsamic vinegar and berries work perfectly. That show how perfectly versatile the balsamic is.
Back when I travelled around Tuscany I had countless panzanellas.
I like your take on this traditional, yet fun to make, dish
Thank you, Emanuele! 🙂
Strawberry fields (salad) forever! This looks like a pure taste of summer’s bounty.
Yes indeed! Thank you, Jessie! 🙂
Berries and balsamic is definitely a great combo!! I love this salad… so bright and fresh. And I love that you added the bread. I think it makes it more of a meal! Love!
Thank you, Jess, and I almost made a meal out of those croutons! haha
I love the idea of balsamic paired with sweets, but I haven’t gotten around to actually trying it out. That needs to change soon! I could eat this salad every day this summer, Marcie! I am LOVING those croutons. 🙂
It’s such a great combination — I hope you get to try it soon, Alyssa! 🙂
Berries and balsamic are definitely a great combination! This salad sounds so perfect right about now, especially now that it’s so warm outside!
Thanks, Danielle! 🙂
You always have the most beautiful fresh produce dishes on your blog Marcie! This salad is gorgeous!! ANd I would totally inhale it for a nice light dinner!!
Thank you so much, Renee — you’re so sweet! Hope you’re having a great weekend! 🙂
As far as I am concerned, this is the perfect meal. Yum!
Thanks, Rachel! 🙂
I appreciate your sincerity, Carol! 🙂
Thank you so much, Dani! 🙂
What an incredible way to use strawberries in the dressing! This salad looks so vibrant and delicious!
Thank you, Anu — it was berry-licious! 🙂
You know I love my loaded up salads too, Marcie!! Your looks amazing. So many great flavors! The more berries, the better.
I know you do! Thanks Katherine!
This is just so beautiful – what an incredible combination of flavours, colours and textures – and I just love the name!
Thank you Alex — I just love this salad!
What an EPIC loaded salad, Marcie! I have been craving salads lately too and this one has all of my favourite flavours – I love fruit in salads, plus a little bit of feta, nuts, fresh greens – just yum!! I am putting this on my list to make! Loving your photography too – absolutely drooling over these photos.
Thank you so much for the kind words Katerina! I hope you get to try it soon. 🙂