Grilled chicken, sweet strawberries, crisp romaine and balsamic flavor make this Applebee’s salad feel fresh, hearty and just indulgent enough.
Photo by SCRR
Copycat Applebee’s Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Salad
Applebee’s Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Salad combines crisp romaine, grilled chicken, fresh strawberries, red onion and sliced almonds with balsamic flavor in a lighter entrée salad.
Cook the chicken first and let it rest before cutting so it stays juicy. Dress the greens lightly, then finish with a balsamic drizzle at the end to keep the salad bright and fresh rather than soggy.
Quick Recipe Overview
- Best For: Light lunches, easy summer dinners and restaurant-style entrée salads
- Flavor Profile: Sweet strawberries, savory grilled chicken, crisp greens, mild red onion and tangy balsamic
- Skill Level: Easy
- What Makes It Like the Restaurant: Grilled chicken, fresh strawberries, romaine, almonds and layered balsamic flavor in a lighter full-meal salad
Applebee’s
Applebee’s opened in 1980 as a casual neighborhood restaurant built around familiar American food, approachable prices and a lively bar. Over time, the menu broadened well beyond burgers and riblets to include skillets, steaks, pasta and entrée salads meant to satisfy guests looking for a lighter option without leaving the full-service dining experience behind.
Those salads became especially important as casual dining chains worked to offer more variety for different appetites and occasions. A salad like Strawberry Balsamic Chicken fits that later Applebee’s approach well, offering something fresh and colorful while still feeling substantial enough for dinner.
When a Lighter Salad Still Eats Like Dinner
Fruit-and-chicken salads became a restaurant staple because they balance freshness and comfort in the same bowl.
Strawberries bring sweetness and juiciness, grilled chicken adds substance and balsamic provides the tangy note that ties everything together. Red onion sharpens the flavor while sliced almonds add welcome crunch. The
Applebee’s version keeps the combination straightforward rather than overly fussy, which is one reason this kind of salad travels so well from restaurant to home kitchen. It feels a little more special than an everyday side salad, but it still relies on easy ingredients and a simple assembly.
Applebee’s Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Salad Recipe
Applebee’s Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Salad combines crisp romaine, juicy grilled chicken, fresh strawberries, red onion and sliced almonds with tangy balsamic dressing and drizzle.
Yield: 4 Main-Dish Salads
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless Chicken Breasts
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground Black Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
Salad
- 2 large heads Romaine Lettuce chopped
- 1 pound Fresh Strawberries hulled and sliced
- 1/4 medium Red Onion very thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Sliced Almonds lightly toasted
Balsamic Dressing
- 1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- 1 small Garlic Clove finely minced
- 1/4 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground Black Pepper
- 1/3 cup Olive Oil
For Finishing
- 3 tablespoons Balsamic Glaze
Instructions
- Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
- Brush with olive oil and season both sides with salt, black pepper and garlic powder.
- Heat a grill pan, cast-iron skillet or outdoor grill over medium-high heat.
- Cook chicken for 5 to 6 minutes per side, or until the thickest part reaches 165°F.
- Transfer chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Whisk balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt and black pepper together in a small bowl.
- Slowly whisk in olive oil until the dressing is well combined.
- Add romaine, about three-quarters of the strawberries, the red onion and most of the almonds to a large bowl.
- Add enough dressing to coat lightly and toss gently.
- Divide salad among 4 plates or shallow bowls.
- Slice or cube the chicken.
- Arrange chicken over each salad.
- Top with the remaining strawberries and the remaining almonds.
- Drizzle each salad lightly with balsamic glaze.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Toast the almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes for better flavor.
- Do not overdress the salad. Romaine should stay crisp and the strawberries should remain fresh-looking.
- Balsamic glaze is thicker and sweeter than vinaigrette. Using both gives the salad better restaurant-style flavor and presentation.
- If your strawberries are very sweet, use the full amount of balsamic. If they are tart, add a little extra honey to the dressing.
Related Copycat Recipes
- Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad – Fresh, crunchy salad topped with golden chicken and signature Asian-style flavors
- Chicago Chop House Blackened Steak Salad – Spicy blackened steak sliced over crisp greens with bold steakhouse attitude
- Ruby Tuesday Chicken Quesadillas – Cheesy, savory quesadillas made for sharing and serious dipping
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Questions People Ask
What greens work best for this salad?
Romaine is the best choice because it stays crisp and matches the restaurant-style look and texture.
Can I use another nut instead of almonds?
Yes. Pecans or walnuts work well, though sliced almonds are the closest match.
Should the chicken be served warm or cold?
Either works, but slightly warm grilled chicken gives the salad a more restaurant-style feel.
Can I use bottled balsamic vinaigrette?
Yes. Use a good one lightly, then add a little balsamic glaze if you want the fuller Applebee’s-style finish.
Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Yes. Keep the components separate and assemble just before serving so the lettuce stays crisp.
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Photo of “Applebee’s Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Salad” created by Secret Copycat Restaurant Recipes. Photo of “Applebee’s” is by Mike Mozart and is used by permission under the Attribution 2.0 Generic Creative Commons License. Read the Full License Here – https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode.en. Thank you, Mike. Great Picture. Photos may be representative of the recipe and not the actual finished dish. All photo licenses listed were correct at the time of the posting of the page. Recipe is original to Secret Copycat Restaurant Recipes. Recipe created by Secret Copycat Restaurant Recipes based on information from the restaurant and other sources on the internet – many courtesy of the Wayback Machine. Additional Information is from original research done by Secret Copycat Restaurant Recipes and/or courtesy of Wikipedia and is used by permission.
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