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    Home » Main Dishes » Chicken Strawberry Salad with Avocado Poppy Seed Dressing

    Published: May 18, 2013 · Modified: Feb 1, 2021 by Anna · This post may contain affiliate links, which means we make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you.

    Chicken Strawberry Salad with Avocado Poppy Seed Dressing

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Crisp and refreshing this Chicken Strawberry Salad is the quintessential summer meal!

    Chicken Strawberry Salad with Avocado Poppy Seed Dressing on a plate wit forks.

    Salads and I were on a break during our loooooong drawn out winter. I just couldn't get excited about salad as a main meal when there was still a wind chill. But now that warmer weather is in full bloom, I'm totally craving entree salads again. This Chicken Strawberry Salad with Avocado Poppy Seed Dressing has made an appearance on my menus several times in the last few weeks….it's just that good. 

    Main meal salads are perfect in so many ways. If you have access to a grill, there's no need to heat up the house to cook the protein. You can customize the salad to whatever produce looks good at the store or farmers market that week. And you can completely vary the taste of the whole thing with different dressings or vinaigrettes. Want some spice? Try a kicked up Thai peanut sauce. Feeling like a classic flavor? Go with the tried and true balsamic vinaigrette. Have fun with it and adapt your salad to whatever suits your mood (and the contents of your fridge).

    I'm a huge fan of this Avocado Poppy Seed Dressing, especially on my Chicken Strawberry Salads. It is the perfect combination of sweet and tang that you expect from poppy seed dressing all blended with creamy, heart-healthy avocado. My version of this salad changes every time I make it, but it usually includes grilled chicken, strawberries, mandarin oranges, candied pecans, avocado and red onion. However, it's never, ever complete without the Avocado Poppy Seed Dressing no matter what I throw in the mix. 

    Our June-bearing strawberries may end up more like July berries this year, but I'm not complaining. That's extra time for me to enjoy this salad on the patio with a nice glass of wine and some fresh crusty bread. Sounds like a delicious way to welcome summer to me. 

    Chicken Strawberry Salad with Avocado Poppy Seed Dressing on a plate with strawberries.

    Recipe

    Avocado Poppy Seed Dressing

    Garnish With Lemon
    Avocado is the secret ingredient in this smooth and creamy poppy seed dressing.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Soups + Salads
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 339 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup sugar
    • ⅓ cup white wine vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
    • 1 tablespoon finely minced onion
    • 1 cup canola or vegetable oil
    • 1 avocado peeled and seeded
    • ¼ cup water
    • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

    Instructions
     

    • Combine all ingredients except poppy seeds in a blender or food processor. Pulse until combined.
    • Add additional water 1 tablespoon at at time if dressing is too thick. Stir in poppy seeds.
    • Refrigerate until ready to serve.

    Notes

    This dressing will keep at least a week in the fridge.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2ouncesCalories: 339kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 1gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 27gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 267mgFiber: 2gSugar: 13g

    Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.

    Did you make this recipe?Tag us on Instagram or leave a comment!
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    About Anna

    Hi, I’m Anna, a former corporate communications nerd turned food fanatic. Turns out I like cooking for others A LOT more than explaining HR policies to them. C’mon over!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kirsten says

      April 22, 2015 at 2:01 pm

      Anna,
      This whole thing looks good to me! I love all the fruit going on in the salad, and that dressing sounds amazing. I think it's a perfect Ladies Who Lunch type meal!

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        April 24, 2015 at 7:39 am

        Couldn't agree more! Thanks, Kirsten!

        Reply
    2. Amanda @ The Chunky Chef says

      April 22, 2015 at 7:39 am

      Oh wow, that looks so creamy and delicious! Pinned 😀

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        April 22, 2015 at 8:51 am

        Thanks for the pin!

        Reply
    3. Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says

      May 20, 2013 at 7:54 pm

      Wow! This is a gorgeous salad. I'm ALL over that avocado poppy seed dressing!

      Reply
      • Anna says

        May 21, 2013 at 5:10 am

        Thanks, Dorothy. The dressing is crazy-addictive! I find myself making up things just to use it on. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Julia says

      May 20, 2013 at 12:53 pm

      I love eating salads as my main meal in the summer. They are light enough so you don't feel overly full in the hot months but totally satisfying and a great way to use fresh produce. This looks delicious!

      Reply
      • Anna says

        May 21, 2013 at 5:11 am

        Hooray for salad season!

        Reply

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