Zesty Strawberry Feta Kale Salad With Chicken Recipe

Summer lunches need this vibrant strawberry feta kale salad that combines unexpected flavor profiles in one delightful dish.

Crisp kale leaves create a hearty green base for sweet berries and tangy cheese.

Tender grilled chicken adds protein and depth to each refreshing bite.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients dance together, creating a light yet satisfying meal perfect for warm afternoons.

Colorful ingredients promise a nutritious plate that looks as amazing as it tastes.

Lean proteins and fresh produce make this recipe a smart choice for health-conscious individuals.

You’ll want to savor every forkful of this delectable combination that elevates simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Why Strawberry Feta Kale Salad Tastes So Bright And Bold

• Boost Nutrition Power: Packed with protein from chicken, vitamins from kale and strawberries, and healthy fats from almonds, this salad delivers a powerful nutritional punch for wellness-focused individuals.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients based on preferences or dietary needs, making it perfect for adapting to different tastes and restrictions while maintaining the salad's core deliciousness.
• Create Restaurant-Quality Meal: Professional-level presentation and flavor combinations elevate this dish from simple home cooking to gourmet dining experience, impressing family and guests with minimal culinary expertise required.
• Tackle Meal Prep Brilliantly: Prepare components in advance like roasted chicken and chopped vegetables, allowing quick assembly during busy weekdays and ensuring a stress-free, nutritious meal solution.

What You’ll Need For Strawberry Feta Kale Salad

• Chicken Breast: Lean protein that provides substantial nutrition and forms the main protein component of the salad.

• Kale: Nutrient-dense leafy green with robust texture that serves as the foundational base for the salad.

• Strawberries: Sweet and tangy fruit that adds vibrant color and refreshing flavor to the salad.

• Feta Cheese: Creamy and salty cheese that introduces a rich, tangy element to balance other ingredients.

• Sliced Almonds: Crunchy and nutty addition that provides textural contrast and subtle depth.

• Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Honey: Blend of ingredients that creates a smooth, balanced dressing with complex flavor profile.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and elevate the overall taste of the dish.

How To Assemble Strawberry Feta Kale Salad With Chicken

Step 1: Prepare Chicken

Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Place in a preheated oven at 400°F and roast for 20-25 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then slice into thin strips across the grain.

Step 2: Prep Kale

Wash kale thoroughly and remove stems. Chop into bite-sized pieces and massage the leaves with your hands to soften and reduce bitterness.

Step 3: Slice Fresh Strawberries

Rinse strawberries and cut into uniform, delicate slices to enhance the salad’s visual appeal and flavor balance.

Step 4: Create Zesty Dressing

• Olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Honey
• Salt
• Pepper

Blend until the mixture becomes smooth and well-combined.

Step 5: Toast Nutty Almonds

Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add sliced almonds and toast for 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously until they turn golden and release a fragrant aroma.

Step 6: Assemble Colorful Salad

Layer the massaged kale as the base. Arrange sliced chicken, strawberry pieces, and crumbled feta cheese strategically across the top.

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Drizzle the prepared dressing evenly over the salad, ensuring light coating of all ingredients. Sprinkle toasted almonds on top for extra crunch. Serve immediately to maintain the perfect texture and temperature.

Pro Tips For Making Strawberry Feta Kale Salad

• Massage Kale Gently: Break down tough fibers by squeezing kale leaves with hands, making them softer and less bitter for better salad texture.
• Check Chicken Doneness: Use meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F, preventing undercooking and ensuring food safety.
• Prep Ingredients Ahead: Slice chicken, wash strawberries, and toast almonds in advance to streamline salad assembly and reduce kitchen stress.
• Balance Dressing Carefully: Whisk balsamic vinegar, honey, and olive oil thoroughly to create smooth, well-integrated flavor that complements salad ingredients.
• Store Smartly: Keep leftover salad components separately to maintain crispness, adding dressing just before serving to prevent soggy kale.

Tasty Spins On Strawberry Feta Kale Salad

• Mediterranean Remix: Replace strawberries with sun-dried tomatoes and swap feta for crumbled goat cheese, adding a zesty Mediterranean profile with kalamata olives and fresh oregano.
• Tropical Summer Fusion: Substitute strawberries with fresh mango chunks, use grilled chicken, add toasted coconut flakes, and replace balsamic dressing with a lime-cilantro vinaigrette for a vibrant tropical feel.
• Autumn Harvest Edition: Swap strawberries for roasted butternut squash, use blue cheese instead of feta, incorporate toasted pumpkin seeds, and create a maple-dijon dressing for a cozy seasonal version.

What To Pair With Strawberry Feta Kale Salad

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a light, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the salad's bright strawberry and tangy feta flavors, cutting through the richness of the chicken and providing a zesty counterpoint.
• Enhance with Sparkling Water Infusion: Create a refreshing beverage by infusing sparkling water with fresh mint or cucumber slices, offering a clean, palate-cleansing accompaniment that highlights the salad's vibrant ingredients.
• Match with Herbal Side Bread: Serve alongside a rustic rosemary or thyme focaccia, providing a warm, aromatic bread that echoes the salad's herbal undertones and offers a satisfying textural contrast to the light, crisp greens.

Storing Strawberry Feta Kale Salad Easily

• Store assembled salad (without dressing) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep chicken, kale, and strawberries separate to maintain freshness and prevent wilting.
• Store cooked chicken in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Keep washed and chopped kale in a moisture-absorbing container with a paper towel to extend its crisp texture.
• Preserve homemade dressing in a glass jar with a tight lid in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Shake well before using to re-emulsify ingredients and restore original consistency.
• Freeze cooked chicken in individual portions for up to 3 months.

Strawberry Feta Kale Salad FAQs You’ll Appreciate

• Is kale hard to prepare?

Kale can be easily prepared by washing, removing stems, and massaging leaves to reduce bitterness and soften texture, making it simple for home cooks.

• What makes this salad healthy?

The recipe combines nutrient-rich kale, lean protein from chicken, antioxidant-packed strawberries, and heart-healthy almonds, creating a balanced and nutritious meal.

• Can I substitute ingredients?

You can replace chicken with tofu for a vegetarian option, swap almonds with other nuts like walnuts, or use different berries if strawberries are unavailable.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, which guarantees safe and juicy meat without overcooking.

Strawberry Feta Kale Salad With Chicken Recipe

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• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Crisp kale dances with juicy strawberries and tender chicken in this Mediterranean-inspired Strawberry Feta Kale Salad, creating a symphony of fresh flavors. Creamy feta and zesty vinaigrette elevate each refreshing bite, promising a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup feta cheese

Greens and Fruits:

• 4 cups kale, chopped
• 1 cup strawberries, sliced

Dressing and Additional Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup almonds, sliced
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp honey

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F and season chicken breasts with salt and pepper for enhanced flavor profile.
2. Roast chicken breasts for 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring complete cooking and juicy texture.
3. Allow cooked chicken to rest for 5 minutes, then slice into thin, elegant strips across the grain.
4. Thoroughly wash and de-stem kale, then chop into bite-sized pieces, massaging leaves to tenderize and reduce bitterness.
5. Rinse strawberries and slice into delicate, uniform pieces for visual appeal and balanced flavor distribution.
6. Create vibrant dressing by whisking olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth and well-integrated.
7. Toast sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
8. Assemble salad by layering massaged kale as the base, then strategically arranging sliced chicken, strawberries, and crumbled feta cheese.
9. Drizzle prepared dressing evenly over salad, ensuring each ingredient is lightly coated.
10. Garnish with toasted almonds for added crunch and nutty complexity, then serve immediately to maintain optimal texture and temperature.

Notes

• Massage kale gently to break down tough fibers, making it more tender and less bitter for a smoother eating experience.
• Customize protein by substituting chicken with grilled tofu or roasted chickpeas for vegetarian and vegan-friendly options.
• Toast almonds carefully, watching closely to prevent burning and ensure a perfect golden-brown color that adds delightful crunch.
• Store leftover salad components separately to maintain crisp textures and prevent soggy ingredients, mixing just before serving.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 496
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 451 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 78 mg