Chicken and Fruit Salad With Poppyseed Dressing Recipe – good spinach salad bursting with fresh berries, citrus, poppyseeds, and tender, juicy chicken!

At Avdaye, we add lots of tips in all of our recipes – because we are a home cook without any formal training, and we find we are more confident making dishes when we understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. Our goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.

Chicken and Fruit Poppy Seed Salad

This salad is bursting with fresh berries, grapes, and tossed in a freshly squeezed citrus dressing for good, light, and craveable spinach chicken and fruit salad the whole family will love.

The best part about this salad is you can use any kind of chicken – rotisserie chicken breast, leftover grilled or baked chicken breasts, chicken thighs – the sky is the limit!

We're including our favorite chicken recipes to serve with this dish – as well as how to make a knockout citrus poppyseed dressing that doubles as an good chicken marinade.

Find our recipe for the Best Grilled Chicken Breasts Ever here.

Citrus Poppyseed Dressing Recipe

First assemble the following ingredients:

Chicken breasts (1 ½ cups) – Tender cooked chicken adds savory protein to balance the sweet fruits. Find our recipe for the Best Baked Chicken Breasts Ever here.
Spinach (2 cups) – Fresh spinach provides a crisp, leafy base packed with nutrients.
Strawberries (½ cup) – Juicy strawberries bring bright sweetness and vibrant color.
Red grapes (¼ cup) – Red grapes offer a burst of natural sugar and soft texture.
Green grapes (¼ cup) – Green grapes add a tart, refreshing contrast to the red.
Blueberries (¼ cup) – Blueberries give a pop of juicy flavor and antioxidants.
Blackberries (¼ cup) – Blackberries contribute rich, deep berry notes and texture.
Orange (½) – Orange segments bring juicy citrus brightness to the mix.
Almonds (¼ cup) – Crunchy almonds add nuttiness and a satisfying crunch.
Hemp hearts (2 tbsp) – Hemp hearts offer a subtle nutty flavor and protein boost.

For the citrus poppyseed dressing:

Extra-virgin olive oil (? cup) – Olive oil forms the silky base of the dressing.
Freshly squeezed orange juice (¼ cup) – Orange juice adds natural sweetness and tang.
Lime juice (1 tbsp) – Lime juice brings a sharp citrus edge.
Lemon juice (1 tbsp) – Lemon juice brightens and balances the dressing's flavors.
Honey (3 tsp) – Honey sweetens the dressing with a smooth floral note.
Sea salt (¼ tsp) – Sea salt enhances all the citrus and fruity flavors.
Poppy seeds (1 ½ tsp) – Poppy seeds give a delicate crunch and classic visual appeal.

Kitchen notes

Use cooled, cooked chicken – Grilled, roasted, or poached chicken works best; make sure it's chilled for better texture and freshness.

Choose ripe, firm fruit – Fresh, not overripe, berries and grapes hold their shape and add the best flavor and texture.

Segment the orange cleanly – Remove all the pith and membrane for sweet, juicy bites.

Toast the almonds – Lightly toasting almonds boosts their flavor and adds extra crunch.

Layer thoughtfully – Place heavier items like chicken and fruit on top of spinach before serving to avoid wilting.

Mix dressing before use – Shake or whisk thoroughly to emulsify the oil and juices before pouring.

Add dressing before serving – This prevents the spinach and fruit from getting soggy.

Make it ahead (partially) – Prep components separately and combine right before serving for convenience and freshness.

Chill ingredients – A cold salad is more refreshing and flavorful, especially on warm days.

Adjust sweetness in dressing – Taste and tweak the honey depending on how sweet your fruit is.

A few answers

Can we use rotisserie chicken for this salad?

Yes, rotisserie chicken is a quick and flavorful option—remove the skin and shred or chop it into bite-sized pieces. You can also make our grilled chicken breasts!

Can we substitute other fruits?

Absolutely—try mango, pineapple, apple slices, or pomegranate seeds based on what's in season or your preference.

How far in advance can we make this salad?

You can prep the ingredients up to a day ahead, but store them separately and assemble right before serving to maintain texture.

Can we make the dressing ahead of time?

Yes, the dressing can be made 3–4 days in advance and stored in the fridge; shake well before using.

Can we make it dairy-free or nut-free?

Yes, this recipe is naturally dairy-free, and you can omit or replace almonds with sunflower seeds for a nut-free version.

What's the best way to store leftovers?

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day, though texture may soften.

Can we add cheese to this salad?

Sure! Crumbled feta or goat cheese adds creaminess and pairs well with the fruit and citrus dressing.

What's a good protein alternative to chicken?

Grilled shrimptofu, or even chickpeas work well as protein swaps in this salad.

For tons of easy chicken recipes, please visit our Chicken Archives – or check out some of the recipes we're recommending below.

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Ingredients

1 ½ cups chicken breasts, cooked, diced
2 cups spinach
½ cup strawberries, sliced
¼ cup red grapes
¼ cup green grapes
¼ cup blueberries
¼ cup blackberries
½ orange, peeled and sliced
¼ cup almonds, sliced, blanched
2 tbsp hemp hearts, optional
⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1 tbsp lime juice, fresh squeezed
1 tbsp lemon juice, fresh squeezed
3 tsp honey
¼ tsp sea salt
1 ½ tsp poppy seeds

Method

In a large bowl, mix salad.
In a medium sized bowl, add all dressing ingredients and whisk well to combine.
Toss salad in dressing as you are ready to serve.
Enjoy!

Chicken and Fruit Salad and Poppyseed Dressing