This summer salad just takes me to my happy place. I’ve made it twice in the past week. I cannot stop eating this yummy salad. I make up extra batches of it so I have leftovers for my lunch the next day. It sure does take the pressure off to eat healthy when the dish is ready to rock in your fridge. We try to eat healthy during the week, then we kick up our heals a bit on the weekend. This is perfect for a weekday dinner, or a nice lunch.
The chicken is cooked in an Asian sauce. I wanted to keep this simple since most of us are more rushed during the week. If you’re like me you’re juggling way too many things so easy dinners are the key to success.
I also think the key to any picnic success is keeping it simple as well. If you let things get too complicated they spiral out of control way too quickly. I find easy dishes and simple drinks are the way to go when it comes to packing up a picnic lunch.
We go on picnics with the family a couple of times a year in a place called Point Pelee. The tip of Point Pelee is the most southern point in Canada. I know right, just a fun little factoid of you. We live about 20/30 minutes from there depending on which way you drive. It’s a family tradition my Dad kicked off. We used to always take visiting relatives there when we younger. I’ve continued the tradition with my own kids.
- 3 pieces of boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil more if needed
- 2 tablespoons Stir fry Sauce I used a General Tao Sauce
- Salt and Pepper if desired
- 1 package of Baby Romaine Mix 142 g/5 oz size
- 2 cups strawberries hulled and sliced
- 1/2 cup of walnuts chopped
- 2 cups strawberries tops cut off
- 2 tablespoons walnut oil use olive if you don't have walnut
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
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In a frying pan, or wok, swirl the oil into the pan over medium heat. Let it start to glisten a bit.
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Toss in the chicken and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, or until the chicken is starting to turn brown slightly.
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Add the stir fry sauce and cook for about another 1 to 2 minutes, stirring to evenly coat the chicken and brown it evenly as well. If you need to hit it with a bit more olive oil that's okay.
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Add salt and pepper to taste.
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Remove from heat and set aside.
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Clean and dry your greens.
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Toss them a large bowl with strawberries you've washed, hulled and sliced.
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Add the walnuts.
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In a food processor combine the strawberries, walnut oil, honey and orange juice. Give it a whir until it becomes liquid. If you want to hit it with salt or pepper you can, I prefer it with no additions of seasoning personally.
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Give your salad a nice toss.
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Add the chicken.
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Toss again.
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Plate it or put it in mason jars for a picnic.
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Don't hit it with dressing until you're ready to serve it.
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You can eat right away, or pop them in the fridge for later. Or pop them in a picnic basket for a fun family outing
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Once ready to serve hit it with the dressing.
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Serve with a big old summery berry smile!
You can omit the chicken for a nice meatless monday option!
You can substitute beef if you like!
You can add blueberries! I did that last week and it was divine!
You can use lemons or limes for that hit of acidity in your dressing. I just tend to reach for oranges when making some dressings. I also use oranges to macerate fruit. So it tends to be my first choice for a hit of acid.
Gorgeous right!! I just love this salad. Blueberries set if off nicely too. We did that last week and it was amazing. You can pop this salad in mason jars for picnics. Are you ready for the cute factor. They’re sort of adorbs.
This post is part of the Virtual Picnic series sponsored by Flavors of Summer.
Celebrate Sweet Vidalia Flavors of Summer with the great tastes of fresh Vidalia Onions, Avocados from Mexico, Gourmet Garden Herbs, Johnsonville Italian Sausage, mangos, watermelon and Stemilt Cherries. Great food and good friends make everyday a party to remember so start entertaining and visit www.flavors-of-summer.com for recipes, coupons and entertaining tips.
Make sure you scoot over to check out the delicious recipe contest happening on Flavors of Summer. You could win 1 of 4 cash prizes of $1,000 or the grand prize of a $5,000 Sears Gift Card. Time to dust of your apron and head into the kitchen people!
Make sure you stop by my announcement post to enter the giveaway we’re holding for this special event. There’s some amazing prizes up for grabs. I think there might be a Visa Gift Card just waiting for one of you lucky readers. So hurry over to that post and throw your hat in the ring!
Don’t forget to visit all the wonderful blogs that are posting summer recipes this week as we lead up to the 4th of July. These blogs have such beautiful food to share! We’re all sharing picnic food that is sure to tempt and delight you!
Mother Thyme
Cook the Story
It’s Yummilicious
White Lights on Wednesday
{i love} my disorganized life
Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
Sweet Remedy
Big Bear’s Wife
Cravings of a Lunatic
Kokocooks
Katie’s Cucina
The Tasty Fork
Scarletta Bakes
You can link up some of your favourite picnic recipes to our linky party. Show us what you would bring if you joined us all for a whopper of a picnic. Could you imagine if we all got to meet up in real life and throw a huge picnic party together? It would be epic food and fun for everyone.
Toodles and smoochies! xx
[email protected] is How I Cook says
A beautiful, summer salad. And even perfect for a picnic. Keep up the traditions. They are the best memories!
Kim Beaulieu says
Thanks so much lady. I love this salad and I just love family traditions. Happy 4th!
Kim - Liv Life says
Made it twice in a week?? That says it all!! Actually, the picture said it too. This salad looks fabulous!!
Kim Beaulieu says
I know right. I knew it was a keeper when I kept craving it. So good.
Helene D'souza says
Ahh that is a salad I d enjoy right now. I ll save it for October when strawberries are available again. Btw excellent idea with the virtual picnic, usually I am not into linky parties but that sounds like fun. =)
Kim Beaulieu says
It’s so good Helene. You must try it. It’s worth the wait for your strawberry season.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I love this salad and I’d be happy to have this and nothing else at a picnic!
Kim Beaulieu says
Ha, you and me both Maureen. We can share a huge batch and giggle in the corner.
Liz says
Lovely salad. Thank you. Have a great day!
Kim Beaulieu says
Thanks Liz.
[email protected] says
Nice, summery salad! I sometimes used strawberries in salad, but usually roasted, and not as the dressing. Love the idea of strawberry dressing! We’re eating a ton of salads at the moment – just seems the thing to do. Good stuff – thanks.
Kim Beaulieu says
I love roasted strawberries on salad, or just snacking on. They are amazing. The dressing is so good. I just love it. Which is weird cuz I rarely like dressings.
A Canadian Foodie says
SWOOOOOOOOOON! Cannot wait to pick Strawberries next week!!!!
🙂
V
Kim Beaulieu says
Thanks lady. Have a blast picking berries. I need to go pick a huge batch myself.
Becca from ItsYummi.com says
Whoa! Hold the boat! Lunie made something HEALTHY?! Let me go note this in my journal!
Looks AWESOME, Chica!
Kim Beaulieu says
Hey I’ll have you know I’ve done it….ah, screw it. Time for some dessert.
Nessa says
Oooooh….I love the color of that dressing.
Kim Beaulieu says
Thanks so much Nessa.
Katie says
ooh we call this faery berry salad at my house, it’s my favorite!
Kim Beaulieu says
I love that name. It’s adorable.
movita beaucoup says
Chicken AND strawberries? Two of my favourites in one salad? Yes, please.
Kim Beaulieu says
You’re welcome for dinner any day of the week woman. Now the weekend is a different story. Bah ha ha. Okay you can come by twice on the weekends. So I can expect you when??
Colette aka Coco says
Strawberries are so awesome in a salad.
Now, if I can stop eating them and save some to put into the salad…..
Kim Beaulieu says
They certainly are.
Ha!
Ramona W says
Lovely and light salad!! Beautiful photos… I love how you had that dressing pouring in the photos. 🙂
Kim Beaulieu says
Thanks so much Ramona. Mini-me was kind enough to help me out. She’s always the one with her hands in the photos. Lol.
Shannon | JustAsDelish says
Oh my, I’m drooling at your chicken salad! I’ve never had strawberry dressing, bet it’s so delicious 🙂 Great photos, love the action shots
Kim Beaulieu says
Thank you so much Shannon. I love weirder dressings. I’m not a fan of a lot of regular types. But fruity ones I totally dig.
katie says
Yum! I love a good strawberry salad.
Kim Beaulieu says
Me too. They just scream summer to me.
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
As we start eating more salad in summer time, my challenge as home cook is that I don’t repeat the recipe too much (unless favorite of favorites). It’s important to keep it interesting. Love strawberry and chicken combo with the dressing!
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
This salad looks AMAZING!!!
Donna says
This salad is simply scrumptious and one of the few recipes all my family enjoys! We have this as part of our regular rotation during the summer. Delish!
Kim Beaulieu says
That tits so nice to hear Donna. I appreciate it. I’m so happy you and your family love this recipe.