When the summer heat is in full swing and the thermostat is climbing, the absolute last thing you want to do is turn on a heavy oven and sweat over a hot stove. Enter the Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Salad.

This is the ultimate hot-day lifesaver: it’s crisp, vibrant, and incredibly refreshing. By pairing juicy, sweet summer strawberries and creamy goat cheese with savory grilled chicken, you get a meal that feels fancy but requires minimal effort. It hits that perfect sweet-and-savory balance, and because it’s a cool salad, it won't leave you feeling weighed down when it's blistering outside.

Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Salad

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 10 minutes
• Servings: 2-4

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

For the Salad:

• 5–6 cups mixed baby greens (or baby spinach/arugula)
• 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 4 oz goat cheese or feta cheese, crumbled
• ½ cup pecans or walnuts, toasted (bonus points if they are candied!)
• ½ small red onion, very thinly sliced

For the Dressing:

• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp high-quality balsamic vinegar (or a pre-made balsamic glaze for drizzling)
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Prep and Cook the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Grill on medium-high heat (or use a cast-iron skillet) for about 5–6 minutes per side until cooked through. Let it rest for 5 minutes, then slice into thin strips. Pro-tip: You can chill the chicken in the fridge beforehand if you want a 100% cold salad!
2. Toast the Nuts: Toss your pecans or walnuts into a dry skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until they smell fragrant. Watch them closely so they don’t burn!
3. Whisk the Dressing: In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
4. Assemble: In a large bowl, lay down your greens. Top with the sliced strawberries, thin red onions, toasted nuts, and crumbled cheese.
5. Serve: Arrange the sliced chicken on top. Drizzle the balsamic dressing over everything right before serving, or pass a bottle of thick balsamic glaze around the table for a gorgeous restaurant-style finish.

Perfect Summer Side Dishes

Because this salad is so light and refreshing, it pairs beautifully with sides that lean into those same sunny, summer textures. Here are a few great options to round out the meal:

• Warm Crusty Baguette with Herbed Butter: Perfect for tearing, sharing, and soaking up any leftover sweet balsamic dressing at the bottom of your bowl.
• Grilled Corn on the Cob: Keep the grill hot for just a few extra minutes to char some sweet corn. Brush it with lime juice and a sprinkle of chili powder.
• Chilled Gazpacho: A cold tomato-and-cucumber soup makes for a brilliant, vibrant starter that keeps the kitchen completely cool.
• Watermelon & Mint Skewers: If you want to double down on the refreshing fruit vibe, simple cubes of cold watermelon threaded on a toothpick with fresh mint leaves and a squeeze of lime juice are incredibly hydrating on a hot day.

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