🥗 Grilled Chicken & Strawberry Avocado Salad
“A light yet satisfying salad bursting with textures, flavor, and nutrition — perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep!”
📝 Description:
This vibrant salad combines juicy grilled chicken, creamy avocado, and sweet strawberries over crisp romaine and cucumber, with a simple vinaigrette to tie it all together. It’s refreshing, protein-rich, and loaded with colorful produce — the kind of salad that eats like a full meal and looks beautiful doing it.
🧂 Ingredients:
For the Salad:
- 1 grilled chicken breast, sliced (seasoned with salt, pepper, and olive oil)
- 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped
- ½ cup cucumber, thinly sliced
- ½ avocado, sliced or diced
- ½ cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 tablespoon chopped red onion (optional)
- 1 tablespoon sliced almonds or walnuts (optional, for crunch)
- 1 tablespoon crumbled feta or goat cheese (optional, for creaminess)
For the Dressing:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar or lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
🔥 Instructions:
- Grill the Chicken:
Season chicken breast with olive oil, salt, pepper, and grill or pan-sear until cooked through (internal temp 165°F). Let rest, then slice. - Prepare the Dressing:
Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar (or lemon juice), honey (if using), salt, and pepper until well blended. - Assemble the Salad:
In a bowl or on a plate, layer chopped romaine, cucumbers, avocado, strawberries, red onion, and grilled chicken. Sprinkle nuts and cheese on top if using. - Drizzle & Serve:
Pour dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss gently or serve layered.
🧠 Notes:
- Grilled chicken can be warm or chilled — both work well.
- Swap romaine with mixed greens, spinach, or arugula for variation.
- Use rotisserie chicken for a shortcut.
- For dairy-free: skip the cheese or use a vegan alternative.
💡 Tips:
- Add quinoa or wild rice to make it a heartier grain bowl.
- Store components separately for meal prep and assemble fresh.
- Double the dressing and keep it in a jar in the fridge for easy future meals.
- Toast nuts before adding for extra flavor and crunch.
🍽️ Servings:
- Makes 1 large serving (meal-size) or 2 side servings
- Easily multiplied for a crowd or batch meal prep
- 🔢 Nutritional Info (Per Meal Serving, Approximate):
- Calories: ~380
- Protein: ~30g
- Fat: ~22g
- Carbs: ~14g
- Fiber: ~6g
- Net Carbs: ~8g
(Values will vary slightly depending on cheese, nuts, and dressing quantities used.)
🌿 Benefits:
- High protein from grilled chicken
- Heart-healthy fats from avocado and olive oil
- Antioxidants from strawberries and leafy greens
- Hydrating and energizing, with balanced macros
- Gluten-free and customizable for various diets
❓ Q&A:
Q: Can I use frozen strawberries?
A: Not recommended for fresh salads — they get mushy. Use fresh for best texture.
Q: What’s the best cheese pairing?
A: Feta, goat cheese, or shaved Parmesan — they complement the sweetness of strawberries.
Q: Can I make it vegetarian?
A: Yes — skip the chicken or sub with grilled tofu, chickpeas, or hard-boiled eggs.
Q: What else can I add for extra crunch?
A: Toasted pecans, pumpkin seeds, or crispy chickpeas work great.
Q: Is this good for meal prep?
A: Yes! Store dressing separately and keep avocado whole until ready to serve to avoid browning.