Go Back
A fresh Strawberry Pecan Grilled Chicken Salad with sliced chicken, strawberries, pecans, feta, and greens in a white bowl with dressing.
Layla

Strawberry Pecan Grilled Chicken Salad

Juicy grilled chicken meets sweet summer strawberries and crunchy pecans in a salad that tastes like a warm afternoon on the patio.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 485

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts pounded to even thickness
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp kosher salt divided
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
For the Salad
  • 8 oz mixed salad greens baby spinach, arugula, or spring mix
  • 2 cup fresh strawberries hulled and sliced
  • 0.75 cup pecan halves toasted
  • 0.25 cup red onion thinly sliced
  • 4 oz feta cheese crumbled
For the Dressing
  • 0.25 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar good quality
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard

Equipment

  • Grill or Grill Pan
  • Meat thermometer
  • Large salad bowl

Method
 

Prep the Chicken
  1. Pat chicken dry and pound to an even 3/4-inch thickness so it cooks evenly. Rub with olive oil, then sprinkle evenly with garlic powder, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Let sit at room temperature while you prep the rest.
Make the Salad and Dressing
  1. Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add pecans and toast for 3-4 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally, until fragrant and a shade darker. Transfer to a plate to cool.
  2. In a small bowl or jar, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Whisk or shake until emulsified. Taste and adjust - add more honey if your berries are tart, more vinegar if you want punch.
  3. In a large bowl, combine greens, sliced strawberries, toasted pecans, and red onion. Hold off on dressing until the chicken is ready.
Grill and Assemble
  1. Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high (about 400 degrees F). Grill chicken 5-6 minutes per side until grill marks form and internal temperature hits 165 degrees F. Transfer to a cutting board and rest for 5 minutes - this keeps it juicy.
  2. Slice chicken against the grain into 1/2-inch strips. Drizzle half the dressing over the salad and toss gently. Arrange chicken on top, scatter feta over everything, and serve with remaining dressing on the side.

Notes

To toast pecans ahead, store them in an airtight container for up to a week - they stay crisp and make this salad come together in minutes. If strawberries are out of season, swap in ripe peaches or dried cranberries with great results. For meal prep, keep dressing and sliced strawberries separate until serving so the greens stay crisp.