Refreshing Strawberry Asparagus Salad with Roasted Chicken: Your Perfect Spring Meal
As the days grow longer and the first signs of spring emerge, our palates naturally crave lighter, brighter, and more vibrant flavors. If you’re anything like us, you’re eagerly willing spring to arrive, bringing with it an abundance of fresh, seasonal produce. This incredible strawberry and asparagus salad with chicken is designed to do just that – transport you to a sunnier, fresher state of mind, no matter what the weather outside is doing. It’s a symphony of flavors and textures, proving that healthy eating can be both satisfying and utterly delicious.
Imagine a bowl brimming with crisp mixed greens, sweet and juicy sliced strawberries, perfectly roasted chicken, and tender-crisp asparagus. Add a sprinkle of crumbly feta cheese, a crunch of toasted sliced almonds, and a generous drizzle of a homemade lemon-honey dressing that ties all these wonderful elements together. This isn’t just a salad; it’s a celebration of spring on a plate, a meal that feels indulgent yet is packed with nutrients. It quickly became one of the brightest parts of our week when we first developed it, and we’re certain it will become a new favorite in your kitchen too.
For years, a variation of this salad, sans chicken, has been a beloved side dish at our Easter gatherings, always receiving rave reviews for its unique combination of flavors. But we couldn’t resist transforming it into a hearty, complete meal that we could share with all of you. Because, let’s face it, we could all use a little more sunshine and a whole lot of deliciousness on our plates right now!
Why This Strawberry Asparagus Chicken Salad is a Must-Try
This salad stands out for several reasons, making it an ideal choice for a refreshing lunch, a light dinner, or an impressive contribution to any spring gathering:
- Explosion of Flavors: The sweet tang of strawberries perfectly complements the earthy notes of asparagus and the savory richness of roasted chicken. The lemon-honey dressing adds a bright, zesty finish that truly elevates every bite.
- Delightful Textures: You’ll experience a wonderful interplay of textures – the crispness of the greens and fresh asparagus, the juicy softness of the strawberries, the tenderness of the chicken, the creamy crumble of feta, and the satisfying crunch of almonds.
- Incredibly Healthy: Packed with lean protein from the chicken, essential vitamins and antioxidants from the fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats from olive oil and almonds, this salad is as good for you as it tastes.
- Easy to Make: Despite its gourmet appearance, this salad is surprisingly simple to put together, with straightforward steps that make it accessible for cooks of all levels.
- Versatile and Adaptable: Whether you want to swap out cheeses, nuts, or even the main protein, this recipe is incredibly forgiving and easy to customize to your preferences or what you have on hand.
Crafting Your Perfect Spring Salad: Step-by-Step
One of the brilliant aspects of this particular strawberry asparagus salad with chicken is its ingenious use of the dressing, which cleverly doubles as a marinade for the chicken. This simple trick infuses the chicken with incredible flavor even before it hits the oven, making every mouthful truly memorable. Here’s a detailed look at how to bring this vibrant dish to life:
The Dual-Purpose Dressing: Your Flavor Foundation
The first step is to prepare the star of the show: the lemon-honey dressing. This isn’t just any dressing; its bright, sweet, and savory notes are what tie the entire salad together. Whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, a touch of honey for sweetness, salt, pepper, and fresh chopped basil. The basil adds an aromatic depth that perfectly complements the other ingredients. Once prepared, set aside half of this delicious concoction to be used later for tossing with your greens and strawberries.
Marinating the Chicken for Maximum Flavor
With the dressing ready, it’s time to infuse your boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Place them in a shallow dish or a sealable plastic bag and pour the remaining half of the dressing over them. This marinade does wonders! While even an hour in the fridge will significantly enhance the flavor, planning ahead and allowing the chicken to marinate overnight will result in an even more succulent and flavorful roast. This hands-off marinating time is perfect for ticking off other tasks on your to-do list, like a quick gym session or a load of laundry, before dinner prep truly begins.
Roasting Chicken and Asparagus to Perfection
Once your chicken has soaked up all that beautiful marinade, it’s time for roasting. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Transfer the marinated chicken breasts to a sheet pan or baking dish. Bake them for an initial 10 minutes. While the chicken starts to cook, toss your chopped asparagus with about one tablespoon of the reserved dressing (or a tiny bit of olive oil if you’ve already used all the dressing). After the chicken’s initial bake, add the dressed asparagus to the same baking pan. Continue baking for another 10 minutes, or until the asparagus is tender-crisp and the chicken is fully cooked through and golden brown. The asparagus will develop a lovely roasted flavor, and the chicken will be wonderfully juicy.
Assembling Your Masterpiece
Allow the roasted chicken and asparagus to cool slightly. While they cool, you can swiftly prepare the rest of your salad components. In a large bowl, combine your mixed greens and sliced strawberries. Drizzle with the remaining lemon-honey dressing and toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated. Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, slice or shred it into bite-sized pieces and add it, along with the roasted asparagus, to the bowl with the dressed greens and strawberries.
The Finishing Touches
To complete this magnificent salad, sprinkle generously with crumbled feta cheese. The tangy, salty notes of feta provide a delightful contrast to the sweetness of the strawberries and honey. Finally, add your sliced almonds for that essential crunch and a touch of nutty flavor. Serve immediately and prepare for rave reviews!
Customization and Creative Variations
One of the joys of cooking is the freedom to adapt recipes to your taste and what you have on hand. This strawberry and asparagus chicken salad is incredibly flexible. Here are some ideas to inspire your culinary creativity:
- Cheese Swaps: Not a fan of feta? Try crumbled Gorgonzola or a creamy goat cheese for a different flavor profile. Crumbled blue cheese can also add a delightful pungency.
- Nutty Alternatives: While sliced almonds add a wonderful crunch, feel free to substitute them with toasted pecans, walnuts, or even pistachios for a slightly different texture and flavor.
- Add More Veggies: Enhance the nutritional value and crunch with extra vegetables. Thinly sliced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, or even thinly sliced radishes would be excellent additions.
- Herb Appeal: Experiment with other fresh herbs. A sprinkle of fresh mint or dill could add an unexpected and delightful freshness.
- Protein Power: If chicken isn’t your preference, this salad is equally delicious with grilled salmon, pan-seared shrimp, or even some crispy baked tofu for a vegetarian option. Leftover rotisserie chicken is also a fantastic shortcut!
- Make it Meatless: To turn this into a vibrant vegetarian meal, simply omit the chicken. You can add roasted chickpeas, lentils, or even a hard-boiled egg for extra protein.
- Berry Bonanza: While strawberries are ideal for spring, don’t hesitate to try other berries like blueberries or raspberries for a different fruity twist.
Serving Suggestions for Your Spring Delight
This salad is substantial enough to be a complete meal on its own, making it perfect for a light yet satisfying lunch or a flavorful dinner. It’s also an excellent choice for meal prepping; simply keep the dressing separate and add it right before serving to prevent the greens from wilting. Serve it alongside a crusty baguette or some whole-grain crackers for a more filling meal. It’s also a fantastic centerpiece for spring brunches, potlucks, or any occasion where you want to impress with a fresh and colorful dish.
Strawberry and Asparagus Salad with Chicken
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Ingredients
Marinade/Salad dressing:
- ¼ cup olive oil (60 ml)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped basil
Salad:
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ bundle asparagus , chopped
- 6 cups loosely packed mixed greens
- 1 cup sliced strawberries (167 grams)
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (28 grams)
- 3 tablespoons sliced almonds
Instructions
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To make the marinade/salad dressing, whisk together the olive oil, lemon, honey, salt, pepper, and basil.
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Place chicken breasts in a shallow dish or plastic bag and cover with half of marinade. Let sit in the fridge for 1 hour or overnight.
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Preheat oven to 400°F.
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Transfer chicken breasts to a sheet pan or other baking dish and bake for 10 minutes.
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Toss chopped asparagus in about 1 tablespoon of marinade and add to baking pan. Bake for 10 minutes more, until asparagus is softened and chicken is cooked through. Let chicken and asparagus cool slightly while you prep the rest of the salad ingredients.
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Toss the mixed greens and strawberries with dressing. Slice the chicken and add it and the asparagus.
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Top salad with feta cheese and sliced almonds.
Notes
- You can also use cooked chicken in this recipe and bypass marinating and roasting. If you do, store leftover dressing in fridge for another use.
- I like to use 50/50 mixed greens (50% mixed greens/50% baby spinach).
This strawberry and asparagus salad with chicken is truly a testament to the fact that healthy eating can be an exciting and utterly delicious experience. It’s more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to embrace the vibrant flavors and fresh produce that spring has to offer. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal, a refreshing lunch, or a show-stopping dish for your next gathering, this salad delivers on all fronts. So, go ahead and bring a little bit of sunshine to your table with this irresistible and easy-to-make spring favorite. Your taste buds will thank you!