What do you do with strawberry balsamic vinegar?

Beyond our balsamic strawberry chicken salad, strawberry balsamic vinegar works magic drizzled over fresh mozzarella, vanilla ice cream, or mixed into sparkling water for a refreshing drink. I love using it to glaze grilled peaches or as a finishing touch on chocolate desserts.

What pairs well with strawberry salad?

This balsamic strawberry chicken salad shines alongside grilled fish, roasted pork tenderloin, or crusty artisan bread. The bright flavors complement rich proteins beautifully, while the acidity cuts through heavier dishes. For lighter meals, pair it with vanilla chai protein shake for balanced nutrition.

Can you put balsamic vinegar on chicken?

Absolutely! Balsamic vinegar creates an incredible glaze when cooked with chicken, caramelizing into a glossy coating that adds depth and complexity. The key is using it as both marinade and finishing sauce, like we do in this balsamic strawberry chicken salad recipe.

Can you put strawberries in chicken salad?

Yes, and it's absolutely delicious! Strawberries add natural sweetness and bright acidity that balances savory chicken perfectly. Think of classic chicken salad with grapes or cranberries – strawberries work the same way but with more vibrant flavor and beautiful color.

How long to marinate strawberries in balsamic vinegar?

For this balsamic strawberry chicken salad, we don't marinate the strawberries separately. Instead, the balsamic vinaigrette coats everything when tossed together. If you want to marinate strawberries alone, 15-30 minutes is perfect – longer makes them too soft.

Is strawberry balsamic vinegar good for you?

Traditional balsamic vinegar offers antioxidants and may help regulate blood sugar. When combined with fresh strawberries in our balsamic strawberry chicken salad, you get vitamin C, fiber, and heart-healthy compounds. The olive oil adds beneficial fats that help absorb fat-soluble vitamins.

Best Balsamic Strawberry Chicken Salad

Description

Strawberry Chicken Salad Recipe is topped with sliced red onions, diced avocado, and roughly chopped walnuts. The chicken is cooked in the same simple balsamic vinaigrette used to dress the salad, making for an easy, healthy, and delicious summer dish! Gluten Free + Dairy Free + Paleo

Ingredients

Scale

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil (80 ml)
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (30 ml)
1 teaspoon maple syrup (5 ml)
1 small clove garlic, finely minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
6 cups mixed salad (blend of spinach, arugula and red cos lettuce)
2 cups sliced strawberries (10 oz)
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1 avocado, diced
1/4 cup roughly chopped walnuts (29 g)

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Instructions

Make the vinaigrette by adding the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, garlic, salt and pepper to a cup or jar and whisk well. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Cut the chicken in half lengthwise so that you end up with 4 smaller, thin fillets. Sprinkle both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
Heat a large skillet over a medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the balsamic vinaigrette to the pan. When the vinaigrette is hot add the chicken pieces and cook about 5-6 minutes until browned. Flip the chicken over and cook the other side about 3-4 minutes until the chicken is browned and cooked through. The vinaigrette will form a glaze on the chicken that should brown nicely. Make sure to stir around the chicken every so often to keep from burning.
Remove the chicken from the heat and cut into cubes. Set aside as you prep your salad.
Add the salad mix to a large salad bowl along with the strawberries, onion, avocado and walnuts. Add the chicken. Toss the salad together to mix.
Pour the remaining vinaigrette over the salad and toss once more to fully coat everything in the vinaigrette.
Season the salad with more black pepper and enjoy.

Notes

Instead of prepping the chicken specifically from this recipe you can always use leftover grilled or even roast chicken.
Instead of walnuts you can use other types of nuts and seeds: chopped almonds, pecans, sunflower seeds, pepitas, etc. Whatever you have on hand or prefer would do!
If dairy is an option for you, feta and goats cheese go well with this salad. Blue cheese, and grated cheddar are also great options!
This salad will keep 1-2 days. To extend the freshness, you can wait to add the vinaigrette and avocado to the salad until just before serving.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Pan-seared
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 377
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 336mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 24g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 21g
Cholesterol: 33mg