Strawberry Chicken Salad with Warm Dressing

 

You start this salad with the combination of strawberries, nuts, onions and heartier greens as well as tender greens.  Chicken can be leftovers or a boneless breast that has been cooked before making the salad.  The dressing is added to the salad warm and will wilt the tender greens. It is a great lunch meal or evening meal on a hot day served with rolls.You can double the recipe if you are serving more then two. The citrus strawberry dressing is a Florida favorite.

• Servings: 2 servings
• Time: 15 minutes
• Difficulty: easy
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Strawberry Chicken Salad with Warm Dressing

• 3 cups of assorted greens
• 1 cup of strawberries sliced
• 2 thin slices of sweet onion or a chopped green onion
• 1/4 cup of pecans or walnuts toasted
• 1 to 2 cups of cubed chicken
• 1/2 cup of frozen peas thawed uncooked
• crumbled cheese (optional)

Toss all ingredients in a salad bowl. Serve with warm citrus dressing.  Makes 2 servings.

Cooked Citrus Dressing

• 1/4 cup strawberries
• 2 tablespoons of orange juice
• 2 tablespoons of oil
• 1 teaspoon of lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon of sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon of chili powder
• 1/8 teaspoon of salt
• 1/8 teaspoon of pepper

Add all ingredients in a blender or use a hand blender.  You can mash the berries if you don’t have either first and then whisk by hand until blended. In a small pan bring just to boiling and simmer for 5 min. stirring occasionally.  Cover and keep warm until serving.

I hope you give this salad a try.  I know you are going to be pleasantly surprised at them. If you are feeding a group or want to make the dressings and store them just double the amount. The citrus one keeps for a couple of days refrigerated and can be warmed before serving.