Chicken salad gets a fresh twist in this recipe, with diced strawberries adding natural sweetness alongside crunchy celery, green onion, and a hint of poppy seed. Tucked into a whole wheat pita with a bed of spring mix, this sandwich makes for a light, satisfying lunch that’s just as good for a picnic as it is for a quick weekday meal.
Note: This recipe overview is based on the ingredients and process shared for this dish. For the exact serving size, timing, and full nutrition facts, confirm details directly on the original publisher’s page.
How to Make Strawberry Chicken Salad Sandwich
This sandwich comes together quickly using pre-cooked shredded chicken, making it an easy way to use up leftovers or a store-bought rotisserie chicken. A simple honey-poppy seed dressing ties the sweet strawberries and savory chicken together, while whole wheat pita and spring mix add fiber and freshness.
Recipe Overview
| Prep Time | About 15 minutes (estimated — confirm on publisher’s page) |
| Cook Time | None (uses pre-cooked chicken) |
| Servings | 4 (estimated, based on 2 pitas halved) |
| Serving Size | 1 pita half with 1/4 of the chicken salad |
| Calories | ~230 kcal per serving (estimate) |
| Carbohydrates | ~18g per serving (estimate) |
| Protein | ~18g per serving (estimate) |
| Fat | ~9g per serving (estimate) |
Nutrition values above are rough estimates based on the listed ingredients. For verified, publisher-confirmed nutrition facts and exact serving details, please check the original recipe page.
Ingredients
Makes about 4 servings (2 whole pitas, halved)
| Ingredient | US | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Light mayonnaise | 1/3 cup | 1/3 cup |
| Lemon juice (fresh) | 1 tbsp | 1 tbsp |
| Honey | 1 tsp | 1 tsp |
| Poppy seeds | 1 tsp | 1 tsp |
| Cooked chicken (shredded) | 2 cup | 2 cup |
| Fresh strawberries (diced) | 1 cup | 1 cup |
| Celery (chopped) | 2 stalks | 2 stalks |
| Green onion / scallion (chopped) | 2 stalks | 2 stalks |
| Whole wheat pita (cut in half) | 2 whole | 2 whole |
| Spring mix lettuce | 1 cup | 1 cup |
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Mix mayonnaise, lemon juice, honey, and poppy seeds together in a medium bowl.
- Add chicken, strawberries, celery, and green onions. Toss to combine.
- Line pita halves with the greens and add 1/4 of the chicken salad to each pita half.
Why This Recipe Works
- Shredded pre-cooked chicken makes this a fast, no-cook-required lunch that’s ideal for using up leftovers.
- Fresh strawberries add natural sweetness and a juicy contrast to the savory chicken and creamy dressing.
- Light mayonnaise keeps the dressing base creamy while trimming some of the fat found in traditional full-fat mayonnaise.
- Celery and green onion add crunch and fresh flavor without adding significant calories.
- Whole wheat pita and spring mix add whole grains and fresh greens, rounding out the sandwich with fiber and nutrients.
Tips for the Best Results
- Dice the strawberries evenly so they distribute well throughout the chicken salad in every bite.
- Use freshly shredded rotisserie chicken for the best flavor and texture, or leftover grilled or baked chicken breast works well too.
- Toss gently when combining the chicken salad ingredients so the strawberries don’t break down too much.
- Line the pita with greens first before adding the chicken salad, which helps prevent the bread from getting soggy.
- Serve immediately after assembling for the best texture, especially if packing for a picnic or lunch on the go.
Storage Tips
- Refrigerator: Store the chicken salad (without the pita and greens) in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Assemble just before eating: For the best texture, keep the chicken salad separate from the pita and greens until ready to serve, then assemble fresh.
Delicious Variations to Try
- Strawberry Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps: Skip the pita entirely and serve the chicken salad in large lettuce leaves for a lower-carb option.
- Nutty Strawberry Chicken Salad: Add a tablespoon of chopped pecans or almonds for extra crunch and healthy fat.
- Greek Yogurt Version: Replace half of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing with added protein.
- Spinach Swap: Use fresh baby spinach instead of spring mix for a slightly heartier green.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe? Yes, store-bought rotisserie chicken works well and helps make this recipe even faster to prepare.
Can I make the chicken salad ahead of time? Yes, the chicken salad mixture can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Assemble the sandwiches just before serving for the best texture.
Is this recipe good for meal prep? Yes, this works well for meal prep as long as the chicken salad is stored separately from the pita and greens, then assembled fresh when ready to eat.
Where can I find the official nutrition facts and exact serving size for this recipe? Since this recipe is a curated community resource rather than an original, the most accurate and up-to-date serving size, timing, and nutrition information can be found on the original publisher’s recipe page.
Final Thoughts
Strawberry Chicken Salad Sandwich is a bright, sweet-and-savory lunch that comes together quickly using pre-cooked chicken and fresh, simple ingredients. Whether served in a whole wheat pita or wrapped in lettuce, it’s an easy way to add a little seasonal sweetness to a classic chicken salad. For the exact serving size, prep time, and complete nutrition facts, be sure to check the original recipe on the publisher’s page.