Fashionably Early
Strawberries have been arriving early this year and I’m not mad about it at all. In addition to being one of my favorite warm-weather snacks, I’ve been using strawberries as a featured ingredient in this savory + sweet Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad. In addition to the sweet red berry, this chicken salad comes packed with poppy seeds, mint, and a delicious dressing enhanced with my favorite French Dijon. It’s the perfect hello to spring weather dish.
How to serve this Strawberry Poppyseed Chicken Salad
I love serving this Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad on salad greens or lettuce cups. Butter lettuce is my favorite option because it’s sweet leaves are a fantastic compliment to the sweet strawberries in this chicken salad and it’s leaves are sturdy enough to hold plenty of filling.
Easy meal prep
Whether you plan on using your pressure-cooker to prepare the chicken yourself or pick up a rotisserie chicken from the store, this Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad makes for super easy meal prep that stays delicious for several days. If you choose to prepare this recipe for packable weekday lunches, I suggest packing any lettuce greens separately so they stay as fresh as possible.
These glass storage containers are my favorite meal prep tool for secure transporting and easy stacking. Looking for an upgrade to your kitchen tools? Check out my shop page here for my must have kitchen tools and other Whip & Wander favorites.
Looking for more ways to use strawberries this season?
I love layering strawberries in a parfait with my Grain-Free Granola and a little Paleo Lemon Curd. If you’re looking for additional savory dishes, strawberries make a fun swap for the raspberries in this Kale-Hater’s Creamy Raspberry Kale Salad or the grapes in this French Chicken Salad.
A note for special diets
This Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad is grain-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, nightshade-free, dairy-free, and low-carb. If made as directed, this recipe is friendly for Keto, Whole30, Paleo, SIBO, and Low-FODMAP diets. It’s net carb count per serving (~2/3 cup) is only 3 carbs.
Looking for a way to lighten this recipe up? If your diet allows for dairy, I’ve had good success swapping half of the mayo in this recipe for Greek yogurt.
Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad
Prep
Total
Yield 8 portions
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayo
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
- 1 1/2 tsp poppy seeds
- zest of 1 lemon
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 1/2 lbs chicken, cooked and shredded (a rotisserie chicken works too!)
- 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, chopped
- 1 cup green onions, chopped
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- In a large bowl mix together mayo, Dijon mustard, mint, poppy seeds, lemon zest and juice, salt, and pepper.
- Add the shredded chicken, strawberries, green onions, and almonds. Mix together until well combined.
- I like to serve this on top of traditional salad greens or as salad cups using larger lettuce leaves. If you aren't afraid of a few carbs, this is delicious as a sandwich filling too.
Notes
Looking for a way to lighten this recipe up? If your diet allows dairy, I've had good success swapping half of the mayo for Greek yogurt.
Nutritional information on Whip & Wander is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
Courses Salads & Dressings, Mains
Cuisine American
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1/8 recipes (about 2/3 cup)
Amount Per Serving | ||
|---|---|---|
Calories 376 | ||
% Daily Value | ||
Total Fat 28 g | 43% | |
Saturated Fat 2 g | 10% | |
Cholesterol 129 mg | 43% | |
Sodium 220 mg | 9% | |
Total Carbohydrates 5 g | 2% | |
Dietary Fiber 2 g | 8% | |
Sugars 2 g | ||
Protein 29 g | 58% | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
May 6, 2019 at 1:00 pmThis looks like a great salad for lunch, brunch or dinner. Healthy and delicious at the same time. The combination of strawberries, poppy seeds and chicken are great!!
Amanda
May 6, 2019 at 6:38 pmThe strawberries in our backyard are flowering and look like they’re close to popping, so this will be the perfect salad to use with them! I just love fruit in salads, and that poppy seed dressing sounds like the perfect complement. Thanks for sharing!
Tessa Simpson
May 6, 2019 at 8:08 pmMy strawberries are just getting their baby berries…I can’t wait to try this healthy salad!
Danielle Wolter
May 7, 2019 at 3:37 amnow this is a chicken salad i can get behind. my boyfriend loves chicken salad but i don’t ever make it. I definitely want to try this recipe – it sounds delicious!
Jere Cassidy
May 7, 2019 at 9:32 amI love that you served this salad in lettuce cups. This looks like a perfect lunch or brunch salad.
Raia Todd
May 7, 2019 at 10:37 amThis salad sounds so fresh and delicious!
Irena
May 7, 2019 at 12:42 pmOkay, this recipe looked totally up my alley. I love fruit and berries with savoury foods and the combination of strawberries and poppyseeds is awesome. Worked magically with chicken, I have to say. Will be making again!!!
Stine Mari
May 8, 2019 at 3:04 amI love using strawberries in savory dishes, this chicken salad looks so delicious and Summery! I’m looking forward to strawberry season here, but that’s still many weeks!
paleoglutenfreeguy
May 8, 2019 at 11:02 amLoving all these flavors together, especially the mint and dijon in the dressing. This is like the perfect spring salad!
Katie Carrick
May 8, 2019 at 11:28 amWith the weather starting to warm up, this looks like a good option for parties too!
Erin
May 9, 2019 at 7:03 amThis looks super delicious and perfect for the warmer weather that we’re having lately!
Mary
May 9, 2019 at 8:17 amThat looks like a fantastic light summer meal! I love it. I also love that strawberries are already here. They’re my fav 🙂
Becca
May 9, 2019 at 11:14 amWith it being so hot already, I’m so craving light and fresh salads like this recipe! I love putting strawberries in salad, so I’ll definitely be trying this out!
Amanda
May 9, 2019 at 2:56 pmThis looks perfect for strawberry season! Love the little lettuce cups.
Megan Stevens
May 10, 2019 at 5:28 amWow, this looks amazing in the lettuce cups! I love the idea of serving this this summer! Thank you!
Jill
May 10, 2019 at 11:12 amI love that you are showing this chicken salad served on lettuce cups. It sounds like a delicious recipe!
Sara Welch
May 10, 2019 at 11:39 amThis is a great salad for spring! Will be perfect for our Mother’s Day picnic!
Matt Ivan
May 10, 2019 at 12:01 pmWow love the sweet and savory flavors here!
Edyta
May 10, 2019 at 12:08 pmThis is a super delicious salad that screams “Summer” . It’s going to be my go-to all summer long.
Kelly
May 10, 2019 at 12:33 pmI’m totally digging the strawberries right now. And I’m digging the yummy salad these go in. Love it!
Luci's Morsels
May 10, 2019 at 12:48 pmThe strawberries this year are even better than they have been the last few years too! At least in California! Love this salad setup and the idea of serving it in lettuce wraps! Such a yummy way to enjoy strawberries this summer!
Neha
May 10, 2019 at 12:58 pmAnd it’s time for refreshing summer salads again, yay! This one looks so fresh and appetizing with all the berries and greens, love it.
chihyu
May 10, 2019 at 6:45 pmLove this dish so much. Full of flavor and healthy delicious!
Jeannette (Jay Joy)
May 10, 2019 at 9:47 pmThis Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad looks so good. I swear now that I live in a country where strawberries aren’t readily available, I am seeing all these amazing recipes for strawberries.
Clair
May 10, 2019 at 10:12 pmOh my! This salad not only looks pretty, but it sounds so yummy!
Jacqueline Debono
May 11, 2019 at 2:46 amI’m totally in love with this salad. I have a ton of strawberries to use up as we were given a case by a farmer friend a couple of days ago, plus I have strawberries growing in the garden. Think I’m going to be making this a few times this summer!
sheenam | thetwincookingproject
May 11, 2019 at 5:10 amOh this strawberry salad looks so so good.
Emmanuella Sjögren
May 11, 2019 at 9:31 pmThis looks delicious! Will definitely give this a try. Would be perfect for beach picnic 🧺
Maman de sara
May 13, 2019 at 10:03 amI love the add of poppy seeds to this chicken salad, that looks delicious.
Tina
May 13, 2019 at 5:48 pmThis is great timing. We have strawberries in our store now and I am always on the lookout for chicken recipes. Saving this for soon. My husband will be pleased. Thanks for another great recipe!
April
May 13, 2019 at 8:29 pmStrawberries, strawberries – I never get tired of them! Such a wonderful ingredient to cook with – there are always so many delicious recipes you can make – like this delicious salad – yum!
Mimi
May 13, 2019 at 8:30 pmI’ve started to experiment with strawberries in my salads just recently and have been always enjoying something new about my experiments. I can’t wait to try your recipe!
Stephanie Simmons
May 15, 2019 at 1:13 pmStrawberries and poppy seeds are the best summer flavor combo! I love this easy, tasty salad!
Daniela
May 16, 2019 at 8:17 amWe just bought a house that comes with a HUGE strawberry patch, and we are impatiently waiting for the strawberries to appear. When they do, the first thing I’m making is this strawberry chicken salad! I’m always trying to cut down on carbs, so I love the idea of serving it in lettuce cups. Great recipe!
ana @ muy delish
May 16, 2019 at 11:53 pmYay I’m so happy that strawberry season has started and can’t wait to try this recipe. I love how you served the salad with the lettuce leaves. Thanks for the fabulous recipe!
Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen
May 17, 2019 at 6:13 amWhat a delicious looking and colorful salad – perfect for the summer months! I love adding fruits to salad, look forward to trying this!
Tracy
May 17, 2019 at 9:27 pmButter lettuce – what a perfect choice for this incredible chicken salad. My family LOVED it. And those storage containers – THANK YOU, they are amazing!!
Kelly Anthony
May 18, 2019 at 4:47 amStrawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad is one of my favorites in the spring and summer! I’ve haven’t had it with French Dijon yet but that sounds AMAZING!
Rebecca Blackwell
May 18, 2019 at 10:29 amReading this post when I’m hungry is either a terrible or brilliant idea, depending on your perspective. My stomach is literally growling. I think I have almost all the ingredients on hand to make this, including the first actually good strawberries I’ve purchased this year – hallelujah! – so, I have a strong feeling that this salad is going to show up in our kitchen this weekend. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
Saima
May 18, 2019 at 10:53 pmStrawberry season is here and what better way to have them than a salad that looks as appetising as this one? Your strawberry salad looks too good! It will make for a very refreshing change from the usual salad ideas.
Jessica (Swanky Recipes)
May 19, 2019 at 2:59 pmOur family can’t get enough lettuce wraps. I’ve been making a variety of Asian inspired lettuce wraps and just yesterday I thought maybe I should do the same to chicken salad sandwiches. I love how light and refreshing chicken salad is during the hot heat of the summer and replacing the bread with lettuce seems like a winner.
Karyl Henry
May 19, 2019 at 3:03 pmWhat a perfect salad for the summer! I love using butter lettuce for lettuce cups as well. I’m defniitely adding this one to my summer list
Shannon
May 19, 2019 at 8:45 pmThis is my kind of chicken salad! I absolutely love everything about your recipe and I’m so excited to try it out. It just looks so so tasty!
Jagruti Dhanecha
May 20, 2019 at 12:35 amSummer and salad go hand in hand, and strawberries in salad go so well. Perfect for a lunch or BBQ party.
Heather
May 20, 2019 at 4:02 amSuch a great way to add some springtime sweetness to a favorite savory dish. Super refreshing and a great twist on chicken salad.
Marisa F. Stewart
May 20, 2019 at 6:47 amThis is certainly a super salad for any meal. I can see it at a brunch, lunch, or light dinner. The addition of strawberries and poppy seed really appeals to me and I know the family would love it. Now that it’s strawberry season I can see me making this salad once a week.
Dana
May 20, 2019 at 7:38 amI love this so much! I’ve never had chicken salad with strawberries before. It’s always been grapes. Which is awesome and all, but stepping outside of that and dabbling with another fruit is exciting and refreshing. It gets so so hot here in the summertime—to the point where cooking and/or eating anything hot seems like the worst idea in the world. We turn to cold salads and lettuce cups often, so this will be a regular thing this summer!
Sean@Diversivore
May 20, 2019 at 1:28 pmFantastic salad recipe! I love putting strawberries into a salad and you really partnered them with great flavours here. I like the idea of subbing in some yogurt for part of the mayo too, but I’m sure it’s delicious either way. And I have to say, as a poppy-seed-lover it’s wonderful to see them used in a savoury dish like this!