• Recipe Index
    • Appetizers & Snacks
      • Healthy Snacks
    • Breakfast
      • Breads and Muffins
      • Donuts and Scones
    • Desserts
      • Breads and Muffins
      • Cakes and Cupcakes
      • Cookies
      • Donuts and Scones
      • Frozen Treats
      • Pies
    • Drinks
      • Smoothies and Shakes
    • Main Course
      • 30 Minute Meals
      • Air Fryer
      • Instant Pot
      • Sandwiches & Wraps
      • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Salads
    • Sauces & Spreads
    • Seasonal Favorites
      • Christmas
      • Easter
      • Fall
      • Halloween
      • St. Patrick’s Day
      • Valentine’s Day
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Air Fryer
  • Instant Pot
  • Slow Cooker
  • Shop
  • Contact
    • Meet Gayle
    • Privacy Policy
↑

Pumpkin 'N Spice

Where easy recipes and lifestyle collide

  • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers & Snacks
      • Healthy Snacks
    • Breakfast
      • Breads and Muffins
      • Donuts and Scones
    • Desserts
      • Breads and Muffins
      • Cakes and Cupcakes
      • Cookies
      • Donuts and Scones
      • Frozen Treats
      • Pies
    • Drinks
      • Smoothies and Shakes
    • Main Course
      • 30 Minute Meals
      • Air Fryer
      • Instant Pot
      • Sandwiches & Wraps
      • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Salads
    • Sauces & Spreads
    • Seasonal Favorites
      • Christmas
      • Easter
      • Fall
      • Halloween
      • St. Patrick’s Day
      • Valentine’s Day
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Air Fryer
  • Instant Pot
  • Slow Cooker
  • Shop
  • Contact
    • Meet Gayle
    • Privacy Policy
You are here: Home / 30 Minute Meals / Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad

Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad

30 Minute Meals Main Course Salads

  • Share528
  • Tweet
  • Yummly
  • Email
This Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad is packed with shredded chicken, a light dressing of Greek yogurt and mayo, and bursting with juicy strawberries and poppy seeds. This dish is fresh, flavorful, and filled with just the right amount of sweetness! #strawberrychicken #strawberrychickensalad #strawberrypoppyseed #poppyseedchickensalad #chickensalad #chicken #healthylunch #healthysalad #summersalad

This Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad is packed with shredded chicken, a light dressing of Greek yogurt and mayo, and bursting with juicy strawberries and poppy seeds. This dish is fresh, flavorful, and filled with just the right amount of sweetness!

This Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad is packed with shredded chicken, a light dressing of Greek yogurt and mayo, and bursting with juicy strawberries and poppy seeds. This dish is fresh, flavorful, and filled with just the right amount of sweetness! #strawberrychicken #strawberrychickensalad #strawberrypoppyseed #poppyseedchickensalad #chickensalad #chicken #healthylunch #healthysalad #summersalad

Let’s talk about chicken salad today.

What are your feelings on this versatile dish? For me, I like it, but I’m very selective about it.

You may remember me mentioning my least favorite (or most hated) foods in this post from a few weeks ago. Celery is in the top three of that list, and it also happens to be a main ingredient in most chicken salads. Hence, that is the reason why I normally don’t eat chicken salad, unless I make it myself.

I’m also selective because of the miracle whip found in a lot of chicken salads. I’m a huge mayo girl. Always have been, and always will be. Miracle whip? Yucko. I just can’t get over the taste, which is also why I’m not a big fan of potato salads.

This Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad is packed with shredded chicken, a light dressing of Greek yogurt and mayo, and bursting with juicy strawberries and poppy seeds. This dish is fresh, flavorful, and filled with just the right amount of sweetness!

So, even though I love chicken salads, I hardly ever eat them. Most restaurants can’t change up the ingredients, and most people make theirs with miracle whip and celery. And that’s ok…to each his own, right?

Last summer, I whipped up this Lightened Up Zesty Chicken Salad, that’s packed full of shredded chicken, corn, bacon, and garlic. It’s also on the lighter side because I used mostly plain, Greek yogurt, with just a few tablespoons of mayonnaise for that added richness. It quickly became one of my most popular summer recipes, and for good reason. Man, oh man, is it good!

So, when my chicken salads cravings hit a few weeks ago, I decided to put a summery spin on the dish and make this lightened Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad. I randomly thought of the idea after consuming way too many strawberry and spinach salads lately. I didn’t even check to see if this was already a recipe idea on Pinterest or Google, I just went with it. And I’m SO glad I did.

This Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad is packed with shredded chicken, a light dressing of Greek yogurt and mayo, and bursting with juicy strawberries and poppy seeds. This dish is fresh, flavorful, and filled with just the right amount of sweetness. It’s perfect to pile onto bread, toss with a salad, or just to eat it by the spoonful!

This Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad is packed with shredded chicken, a light dressing of Greek yogurt and mayo, and bursting with juicy strawberries and poppy seeds. This dish is fresh, flavorful, and filled with just the right amount of sweetness!

Now, you may think that strawberries and chicken salad don’t go together, but, trust me when I say that they do. They REALLY do! The flavor is incredible, to put it mildly.

To start, I used a base of mostly plain, Greek yogurt and added in just a touch of mayonnaise. It makes the dressing healthier, light and not so tangy. I also used shredded, rotisserie chicken found near the deli section of my grocery store. You can also cook and chop your own chicken, or shred it yourself, but I love grabbing some already shredded, fresh chicken. Makes my job so much easier!

Simply mix the dressing together, toss in the shredded chicken, fold in the strawberries and poppy seeds, and this Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad is ready to be devoured. It literally takes just 5 minutes, from start to finish. You can’t get much easier than that!

One bite and you’ll be hooked on the burst of flavor that shines through from the strawberries. It pairs so well with the lightened dressing and fresh chicken. This easy, summer salad is perfect for healthy sandwich, a delicious topping to a sandwich, or just to eat it by the spoonful. But, whatever your pleasure may be, I guarantee this will be the chicken salad of the summer!

This Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad is packed with shredded chicken, a light dressing of Greek yogurt and mayo, and bursting with juicy strawberries and poppy seeds. This dish is fresh, flavorful, and filled with just the right amount of sweetness!

Looking for more salad recipes? I’ve got you covered!

  • Quinoa and Chickpea Pesto Salad
  • Cranberry and Mushroom Spinach Salad with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette
  • BLT Ranch Pasta Salad
This Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad is packed with shredded chicken, a light dressing of Greek yogurt and mayo, and bursting with juicy strawberries and poppy seeds. This dish is fresh, flavorful, and filled with just the right amount of sweetness!
Print Pin

Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad

This Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad is packed with shredded chicken, a light dressing of Greek yogurt and mayo, and bursting with juicy strawberries and poppy seeds. This dish is fresh, flavorful, and filled with just the right amount of sweetness!
Course Main Course, Salad
Cuisine American
Keyword chicken recipe, strawberry recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 239kcal

Ingredients

  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken I used shredded rotisserie chicken found near the deli section of my grocery store
  • 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
  • 1½ tablespoons poppy seeds

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  • Add in the chicken and toss to combine. Fold in the strawberries and poppy seeds.
  • Serve on bread, a bun, or on top of a salad, if desired.

Notes

Chicken salad will keep refrigerated for up to five days.
Adapted from my Lightened Up Zesty Chicken Salad

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 239kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 212mg | Potassium: 240mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 29IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @pumpkin_n_spice or tag #pumpkin_n_spice!

 

Stay in the loop! Subscribe for all the latest recipes

Thanks! Keep an eye on your inbox for updates.

By Gayle | June 17, 2016

Comments

  1. Mir says

    June 17, 2016 at 5:15 am

    Okay, so here I’m going to sound like a total ignoramus, but what’s the difference between Miracle Whip and mayo? Is it just a lower fat version? I’ve never been able to discern a difference. That makes me a not great taste-tester.
    Either way, this is the one I’d want to eat! The spin is fantastic!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      June 17, 2016 at 8:27 am

      Miracle whip is a lot tangier and just tastes gross to me! I don’t know ingredient wise what the difference is, though. Mayo is a lot richer (and way better) at least to me! 🙂 Thanks, Mir!

      Reply
      • Lyn says

        August 19, 2018 at 1:14 am

        I find mayo a lot heavier then miracle whip. When I am making something that requires this type of ingredient, I will always opt for miracle whip because it lets a person taste all types of, different flavors in the salad or whatever I am making. Mayo is too heavy and covers everything up

      • Gayle says

        August 19, 2018 at 11:18 am

        Hi Lyn, if miracle whip is what you prefer, then go ahead and use it. I personally dislike it and always opt for mayo, which is why it’s in this recipe.

  2. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says

    June 17, 2016 at 6:10 am

    Gayle, I love chicken salad, egg salad, all of it! love this Strawberry Poppy Seed Chicken Salad!!!! Poppy seeds, what a great addition!!!! it looks so good! Happy Friday!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      June 17, 2016 at 8:28 am

      Thank you, Alice! Happy Friday to you, too!

      Reply
  3. Melanie | Gather for Bread says

    June 17, 2016 at 6:45 am

    Oh my goodness. That sounds amazing. A must try for me!
    I just picked berries so I have plenty. 🙂

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      June 17, 2016 at 8:29 am

      Thank you, Melanie! It’s such a fun twist on the regular kind!

      Reply
  4. annie@ciaochowbambina says

    June 17, 2016 at 7:46 am

    Well, this has got to be the prettiest chicken salad I’ve ever seen! And I am absolutely loving the flavors!! I am a fan of ‘any’ chicken salad (except for those made with Miracle Whip) so this will definitely be one I make this summer! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      June 17, 2016 at 8:30 am

      Thanks for the chicken salad love, Annie! I think you would love this “mayo” one! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Blair @ The Seasoned Mom says

    June 17, 2016 at 8:41 am

    I love how you kept it lighter with the Greek yogurt, but still get the taste of the mayo in there. Miracle Whip is YUCK, I agree!

    And I always love to add a bit of sweetness to my chicken salad with fruit, so this is right up my alley. I want to make it this weekend!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      June 17, 2016 at 8:48 am

      Thanks, Blair! The strawberries give this the perfect amount of sweetness! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says

    June 17, 2016 at 9:19 am

    I love chicken salad and this one looks awesome! What a great twist, Gayle! Who would have thought it to put strawberries with chicken? I prefer mayo over miracle whip too. This would make an awesome Summer time picnic sandwich 🙂

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      June 17, 2016 at 9:24 am

      Thanks for the chicken salad love, Dawn!

      Reply
  7. ami@naivecookcooks says

    June 17, 2016 at 9:44 am

    Oooh never saw chicken salad with strawberries!! I like this idea and MIRACLE WHIP -gross yes yes!! I hate that stuff and so glad you made this without miracle whip!! Happy weekend friend!!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      June 17, 2016 at 11:06 am

      Thanks for the kind words, Ami! Happy weekend to you, too!

      Reply
  8. marcie says

    June 17, 2016 at 10:02 am

    I guess the celery would deter you from chicken salad…haha I actually love the celery but hate the gloppy mayo. I love this version with mostly Greek yogurt, and the fruity spin with the poppy seeds was such a great idea! This looks like a delicious version that’s just perfect for spring and summer!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      June 17, 2016 at 11:07 am

      Thank you, Marcie! I wish I liked celery, but I can’t stand it…only when it’s cooked in soups can I eat it, because then you can’t taste it. I’m loving the strawberries in here too, perfect for a summer twist! 🙂

      Reply
  9. mira says

    June 17, 2016 at 8:51 pm

    Love chicken salad and strawberries, too! This is such a cool idea! (I never use celery 🙂 ) ! Pinning to try it!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      June 18, 2016 at 12:05 pm

      Thanks, Mira!

      Reply
  10. Jessica @ Jessica in the Kitchen says

    June 17, 2016 at 10:07 pm

    This has got to be not only one of the prettiest chicken salads I’ve ever seen but one of the best combo purposes for strawberries! Really loving this recipe Gayle, so great for summer!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      June 18, 2016 at 12:06 pm

      Thanks so much for the kind words, Jessica!

      Reply
  11. Alaina @ A Not So Quiet Kitchen says

    June 18, 2016 at 2:27 am

    Oh this looks super delicious!!!! I love adding red grapes to my chicken salad but I’ve never tried strawberries! I’ll have to give it a try!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      June 18, 2016 at 12:07 pm

      Thanks for the kind words and for stopping by, Alaina!

      Reply
  12. Izzy @ She Likes Food says

    June 19, 2016 at 8:53 pm

    This is such a pretty looking chicken salad, Gayle! I love that you made it your own way and added these strawberries instead of the celery! Adding fruit to savory dishes can be so tasty 🙂

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      June 19, 2016 at 10:52 pm

      Thanks, Izzy!

      Reply
  13. Manali@CookWithManali says

    June 19, 2016 at 9:04 pm

    The salad looks gorgeous Gayle, what wonderful combination!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      June 19, 2016 at 10:53 pm

      Thank you, Manali!

      Reply
  14. cakespy says

    June 20, 2016 at 6:59 am

    Intriguing summer variation on chicken salad! Sounds delicious.

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      June 20, 2016 at 8:10 am

      It is SO good and perfect for the summer!

      Reply
  15. Kate @ Framed Cooks says

    June 21, 2016 at 4:56 am

    I am hugely selective about chicken salad (for me it all depends on the amount of mayo – I’m good with the celery) – but this strawberry version is a must-try!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      June 21, 2016 at 6:35 am

      I think you would love this version, Kate! It’s a favorite of mine! 🙂

      Reply
  16. Kelly says

    June 21, 2016 at 9:13 am

    It’s been a while since I’ve had chicken salad but I’m absolutely loving your lightened up version. The strawberries and poppyseed are such a creative twist! So perfect for summer!

    Reply
    • Gayle says

      June 21, 2016 at 9:24 am

      Thanks for the chicken salad love, friend!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Gayle

Welcome!

I’m glad you've stumbled on by and hope you’ll return to find some recipes that intrigue your senses! About Gayle

Popular Recipes

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

Creamy Mac and Cheese

These Easy Breakfast Quesadillas are filled with fluffy, scrambled eggs, green peppers, bacon and cheddar cheeses, all enveloped between two crispy tortilla shells. It's an easy meal that's perfect for busy mornings!

Easy Breakfast Quesadillas

simple sweet potatoes in a bowl with a fork

Parmesan Herb Roasted Sweet Potatoes

These Baked Parmesan Green Bean Fries are coated with a mixture of Parmesan cheese and spices, and then baked until golden. Crispy, crunchy, and full of flavor, these healthier fries make the perfect appetizer or easy side dish!

Parmesan Baked Green Bean Fries

Featured in:

Featured On

Stay in the loop! Subscribe for all the latest recipes

Thanks! Keep an eye on your inbox for updates.

Copyright ©2023, Pumpkin 'N Spice. / Site by Pixel Me Designs
  • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers & Snacks
      • Healthy Snacks
    • Breakfast
      • Breads and Muffins
      • Donuts and Scones
    • Desserts
      • Breads and Muffins
      • Cakes and Cupcakes
      • Cookies
      • Donuts and Scones
      • Frozen Treats
      • Pies
    • Drinks
      • Smoothies and Shakes
    • Main Course
      • 30 Minute Meals
      • Air Fryer
      • Instant Pot
      • Sandwiches & Wraps
      • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Salads
    • Sauces & Spreads
    • Seasonal Favorites
      • Christmas
      • Easter
      • Fall
      • Halloween
      • St. Patrick’s Day
      • Valentine’s Day
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Air Fryer
  • Instant Pot
  • Slow Cooker
  • Shop
  • Contact
    • Meet Gayle
    • Privacy Policy