Make Strawberry Salad With Goat Cheese and grilled chicken and crunchy sunflower seeds. Drizzled with a homemade strawberry vinaigrette, it's a light and fresh lunch that's as healthy as it is delicious!
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love Goat Cheese And Strawberry Salad
- Ingredient Information and Substitutions
- How To Make Strawberry Goats Cheese Salad
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Tips For Making Strawberry and Goat Cheese Salad
- What To Serve With Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
- Other Salad Recipes To Try
- Strawberry Salad With Goat Cheese
Why You'll Love Goat Cheese And Strawberry Salad
I can't lie — this recipe was actually inspired by a pre-made salad at Wegmans! Isn't it crazy the places where we're able to find inspiration? I was a little skeptical at first, mostly because it had shredded white cheddar instead of feta cheese or even crumbly blue.
While that version was certainly delicious, I decided to change things up entirely by using goat cheese! It's the best of both worlds with creamy and tangy goodness. Another thing that really takes this from good to great is the fresh strawberry vinaigrette. Just as the name implies, it's made with fresh strawberries that are puréed using my mini prep processor (which is by far one of my favorite kitchen tools to chop and puree things super quickly!). I can't wait to try it on a variety of summer salads!
This one in particular is a super awesome way to use up leftover grilled chicken (which is exactly what you'll see in my photos — last night's chicken!) and makes a super light, fresh lunch or dinner. Here are a few more reasons to love this recipe:
- Simple, fresh ingredients
- Ready in 25 minutes or less
- Easy to customize
- Serves 2 (but can be doubled or tripled)
- Can be made ahead
Ingredient Information and Substitutions
- Fresh Strawberries- These go in both the salad and the dressing. Only fresh will work here!
- White Balsamic Vinegar- This is lighter in both color and flavor compared to classic balsamic, so it really lets the taste of the berries shine. If you prefer a deeper, tangier flavor, regular balsamic vinegar is just fine.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil- Make sure it's extra virgin for the best flavor! Avocado oil will work in a pinch.
- Honey- For sweetness and to balance the tang of the vinegar.
- Salt and Pepper- Enhance all the other flavors in the dressing. Season to taste!
- Mixed Greens- This strawberry fields salad would be yummy with baby spinach too.
- Grilled Chicken- As mentioned, I usually use leftovers from the night before. Any grilled (or baked) chicken will work. You can even use the pre-made kind from the store or slice up a rotisserie bird.
- Dried Cherries- Adds a sweet/tart chewiness to this salad that I just love. Dried cranberries are a great alternative, or leave them out entirely.
- Goat Cheese- Tangy, creamy, and crumbly, this cheese has an earthy flavor that is just incredible. Swap with feta cheese for a saltier, tangier bite.
- Sunflower Seeds - For crunch! Pecans or walnuts would be good too.
How To Make Strawberry Goats Cheese Salad
Step 1- Prep the ingredients and blend the dressing.
If you haven't already, grill the chicken and slice it into strips. Wash and dry the strawberries, then dice up 1 cup's worth (for the dressing) and slice another cup's worth (for the salad).
Add the diced strawberries to a blender or food processor (I like to use my mini prep processor) with the white balsamic vinegar, EVOO, honey, salt, and pepper. Pulse until smooth and combined.
Step 2- Assemble the salad.
Add the greens to a large bowl, then top with dried cherries, sunflower seeds, and crumbled cheese. Toss everything together, then add the chicken and strawberries and toss again.
Give the dressing a quick whisk before drizzling it over the salad. Toss until everything is evenly coated, then divide between two bowls and serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
I think the real question is what fruit doesn't go well with goat cheese, amirite?! Obviously, it's yummy with fresh summer berries, but it's just as tasty with figs, apples, pears, and stone fruit too.
The max is 2-3 hours, just like most cheeses. It's fine to have it out on the counter while you put this salad together, but I usually crumble it straight out of the fridge.
Cucumbers are always yummy in salad and add a juicy crunch. Avocado is a great creamy element, while red onion slices bring extra tang. You can include other berries too! Blueberries would be best, or sprinkle raspberries on top so they don't get smushed.
Tips For Making Strawberry and Goat Cheese Salad
- Blend or whisk the dressing again before serving. It might separate depending on how long it takes to assemble your salad.
- If using an immersion blender- blend in a high-sided container, or it will splatter everywhere.
- I prefer to at least make the chicken ahead and serve it over the salad cold. Better yet, this is a great way to repurpose leftover chicken from last night's dinner! If you're grilling it fresh, let it cool so it doesn't wilt the greens.
- Perfect for meal prep. Just divide the ingredients between several airtight containers, then pour the dressing into smaller containers and nestle those inside. Grab and go as needed!
- Make this recipe your own! I love the combo of flavors and textures in this salad, but please feel free to change the ingredients up to your liking.
- Ingredients to prep ahead- Grill and slice chicken. Wash and dry salad greens and strawberries, then slice/dice the fruit. Crumble goat cheese.
- Leftovers and storage- Refrigerate greens, berries, chicken, and cheese in separate containers, then assemble fresh. The summer salad strawberry dressing will keep for up to 1 week in a jar. Shake well before using. Once assembled, leftovers will only keep for a day or so before becoming soggy.
What To Serve With Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
This is hearty enough for a full meal, thanks to the chicken, but it's just as delicious as a side dish too. Skip the meat on top and pair the berry salad with steak, pork, or burgers — anything you like to grill during the summer! Here are a few more ideas to round out your menu:
Other Salad Recipes To Try
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down. Check out my Amazon Store for all my favorite tools, including those used in this recipe. And follow @thelifejolie on Instagram and TikTok!
Strawberry Salad With Goat Cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
Fresh Strawberry Vinaigrette
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, diced
- 1 Tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Strawberry Salad
- 4 cups mixed baby greens
- 2 grilled chicken breasts, sliced
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- ½ cup goat cheese, crumbled
- 4 Tablespoons dried cherries
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted sunflower seeds
Instructions
Fresh Strawberry Vinaigrette
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
- Whisk well until fully combined and set aside (you will likely have to whisk it once more before dressing the salad as it may separate).
Strawberry Salad
- Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
- Give the vinaigrette a quick whisk and drizzle over the salad.
- Toss until everything is mixed together and lightly coated in the dressing.
- Divide the salad between two large bowls and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Blend or whisk the dressing again before serving. It might separate depending on how long it takes to assemble your salad.
- If using an immersion blender- blend in a high-sided container, or it will splatter everywhere.
- I prefer to at least make the chicken ahead and serve it over the salad cold. Better yet, this is a great way to repurpose leftover chicken from last night's dinner! If you're grilling it fresh, let it cool so it doesn't wilt the greens.
- Perfect for meal prep. Just divide the ingredients between several airtight containers, then pour the dressing into smaller containers and nestle those inside. Grab and go as needed!
- Make this recipe your own! I love the combo of flavors and textures in this salad, but please feel free to change the ingredients up to your liking.
- Ingredients to prep ahead- Grill and slice chicken. Wash and dry salad greens and strawberries, then slice/dice the fruit. Crumble goat cheese.
- Leftovers and storage- Refrigerate greens, berries, chicken, and cheese in separate containers, then assemble fresh. The summer salad strawberry dressing will keep for up to 1 week in a jar. Shake well before using. Once assembled, leftovers will only keep for a day or so before becoming soggy.
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