This mixed green salad with fruit combines plenty of hearty greens, juicy berries, creamy goat cheese, almonds, chicken prosciutto, and other goodies. Topped with a homemade poppy seed dressing, this easy summer salad is absolutely delicious!
Like summer in a bowl, this mixed green salad with fruit is seriously poppin’ with deliciousness, my friends! This ain’t no ordinary mixed green salad. Honestly, I could eat this on repeat all summer long. No lie.
Were you a fan of Seinfeld? If you were (or are), you may remember Elaine’s obsession with having the ‘big salad’. Funny how things stick with ya. I do love a nice-n-substantial salad, that’s for sure!
For me, growing up, a salad usually meant either a simple garden salad, chef salad (using odds and ends in the fridge) or a caesar salad with those little dried imitation bacon bits (seriously, what are they even made of?!) and boxed croutons.
These days? Salads are much more than that! They can be so exciting (well, as far as salads go). The possibilities are pretty much endless and you could have something different every day.
Fan of hearty salads? You may enjoy this Southwest chicken salad.
Ingredients Needed
This berry salad uses some of the season’s best! It honestly doesn’t take much effort; the ingredients do all the work, if you ask me!
- There’s a mixed green base with some herbs
- Plenty of fresh berries (4 whole cups!)
- Creamy avocado & goat cheese (by the way, did ya know that avocado is a fruit?)
- Almonds
- Thinly sliced red onion
- Chicken breast and prosciutto
- Homemade poppy seed dressing
Doesn’t that sound seriously yummy?
Can I Use Other Mixed Greens?
Absolutely!
I used baby arugula (little bit of a peppery flavour), baby spinach (kinda neutral in taste) and kale (super hearty and a little bitter), but you could use other greens if you like.
Other delicious options are:
- Boston lettuce
- Romaine lettuce
- Red or green leaf lettuce
- Frisée
- Endive
- Radicchio
Note: Frisée, endive and radicchio are a little bitter, so I would use these sparingly, kinda like what I did with the kale. You do you!
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Can I Make It Vegetarian?
Totally! The chicken and prosciutto add some heft to the salad but, even without it, it would still be delicious!
How to Make Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing
This homemade poppy seed dressing is on the healthier side because the base of it is mostly Greek yogurt. There’s also a little mayo in there for extra body and to bind everything together.
You literally combine all the ingredients together and enjoy!
To mix poppy seed dressing, you can either:
- Place the ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine OR
- Mix everything up using a mini food processor OR
- Put ingredients in a small jar, cover and shake, shake, shake! Get dancing right in the middle of your kitchen (that’s what I do, anyway!)
More Tips & Variations to Make This Mixed Green Salad with Fruit
Use what you enjoy! If you like a particular green and not another, use the one you like best!
Speaking of using what you enjoy, there’s no real set in stone quantities here for toppings. If you love blueberries, for example, add extra.
Try another type of nut instead of almonds, like walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans or pistachios.
Blackberries or cherries would be a lovely addition here too.
Mix up the variety of cheese you use! Try shaved Parmesan. Simply shave or peel with a veggie peeler.
If you want crispy prosciutto, pan fry or bake until it reaches your desired consistency and crumble over the salad. Trying to keep sodium intake on the lower side? Simply omit the prosciutto.
If you want the red onion to be less pungent, give ’em a little rinse under cold water.
Save time by opting for store-bought cooked chicken! Then, it’s just a matter of assembling the salad and no cooking involved.
Speaking of chicken, I used two chicken breasts (or about 1 pound). If you want to make things more substantial, you can totally use more chicken.
Mint was used for a little pop-o-freshness, but another herb, like basil, would be delish!
Side note: Speaking of herbs, our mint (particularly chocolate mint) is growing like crazy again this year. We’ve even started to grow some herbs inside so we can enjoy all year long. This is a great guide to growing herbs inside!
Entertaining or bringing this berry salad to a get-together? Rather than toss everything together right away, mix together most of the ingredients, while leaving some for the top.
This mixed green salad with fruit looks super pretty that way for presentation purposes (and you can see everything that’s in there). Of course, when ready to enjoy mix, baby, mix!
More Yummy Salad Recipes
Hope you love this flavouful mixed greens berry salad as much as we do!
If you make this green salad with fruit, be sure to leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed! Thank you!
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Mixed Green Salad with Fruit (and poppy seed dressing)
Ingredients
Mixed Greens Berry Salad
- 1 pound boneless and skinless chicken breasts (about 2 chicken breasts)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Herbes de Provence (or dried thyme)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2.5 ounces prosciutto , torn into bite-sized pieces (about 6 slices or 70 grams)
- 5 cups baby spinach
- 4 cups baby arugula
- 1 cup chopped kale (bite-sized pieces, leaves only, no stems)
- ½ cup mint leaves
- 3 to 4 tablespoons chopped chives (optional)
- 2 cups sliced strawberries
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1 cup blueberries
- 2 avocados , halved, pitted, peeled and sliced
- ½ cup thinly sliced red onion
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- ½ cup crumbled goat cheese
Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing
- ¾ cup Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons mayo
- 3 to 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
Instructions
Mixed Greens Berry Salad
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Season each chicken breast with a pinch of salt, pepper and herbes de provence (or simply thyme). Drizzle with olive oil.
- Bake for about 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through (time may vary depending on the thickness/size of your chicken breasts, so check on at the 23 minute mark). Let cool/rest slightly before slicing.
- In a large serving bowl, mix together the arugula, spinach, kale, mint and chives (if using).
- Add strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, avocado, red onion, almonds, goat cheese and cooked chicken. Toss or stir to combine everything.
- Drizzle and toss with poppy seed dressing upon serving. Makes 4 large dinner salads or 6 smaller salads. Enjoy!
Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing
- Combine yogurt, mayo, cider vinegar, maple syrup, salt, pepper and poppy seeds in a jar, cover and shake to mix everything together (or whisk together ingredients in a bowl). Serve with mixed greens berry salad.
Notes
Nutrition (ESTIMATE ONLY)
Nutrition estimate (if provided) is based on 1 Serving.
Nutrition information (if provided) is provided as a courtesy and should be considered an estimate only. Ingredients can vary and Girl Heart Food makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are guidelines only.
Jo Thrasher • Jo Eats
Oh my goodness am I so here for those juicy berries and that poppy seed dressing! Looks fab and just what I need on this blazing hot day!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Yay! Thank you Jo 🙂
Ashlyn @ F5 Method
Looks amazing Dawn! Berry salads are perfect for summer and I always love a good poppy seed dressing!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Ashlyn 🙂 ! So happy you like the recipe!
Ben|Havocinthekitchen
We say “no” to a boring salad, right? 🙂 Indeed, salads are so much fun, and they’re just perfect for the summer time (For all year round, actually). You’ve created such a lovely, refreshing, light yet satisfying salad; it’s the epitome of summer!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Right! Thank you very much, Ben 🙂
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes
This is STUNNING! What a gorgeous salad! 🙂 It just says Summer on a plate to me 🙂 Enjoy your break!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you very much, Alexandra!! So kind! I sure will 🙂
Kevin
This summer salad is definitely one to have more than once! So fresh and light, perfect on a hot summer day!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
For sure! Thanks Kevin 🙂
Valentina
Love the Seinfeld reference. Ha! This salad of course looks delicious, and your photos of it are some of the most beautiful I’ve seen on your site, and otherwise! REALLY stunning. I would hang them on my wall. Have a great weekend! 🙂 ~Valentina
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
You’re so sweet, Valentina!!! Thanks so very much! Hope you’re having a great weekend too 🙂
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
This is like summer in a bowl and I do remember Elaine and the BIG salad! Too funny!!! I will definitely take a big salad of this berry salad! I love all these healthy seasonal ingredients!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you very much, Kathy 🙂
Katherine | Love In My Oven
Every time I want a “big salad” I think of Elaine from Seinfeld, haha! Loved that show. And love this salad!! It has so much seasonal goodness!! I would love to make a giant bowl of this and then eat it throughout the week for lunch! I definitely grew up eating those bacon bits too, hah! So salty! Hope you have a terrific weekend my friend! XO
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Right?? Thank you Katherine! XO
[email protected]
Just one more reason why summer is the bomb! I could eat this everyday! Nothing like a fully loaded salad to fill you up just right! xoxo
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Me too! Thanks, my friend 🙂 XOXO
Marissa
I am loving the variety of flavors and textures in this salad, Dawn. And that creamy poppyseed dressing sounds incredible!! This one’s a beauty, my friend!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
I am a fan of big salads, too! This is the best of Summer eating on one plate 🙂
Haylie / Our Balanced Bowl
Loving this huge Summery salad! You know I’m all for a creamy salad dressing – that poppyseed dressing looks amazing!! I love that you added mint as well – I’m sure that just makes all of the flavors totally POP! I love it! I could eat this anyday of the week!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
I can see why this is your go-to summer salad Dawn! I definitely go for “big salads” too. And this one fits the bill for sure. I’m loving that creamy poppyseed dressing. Pinned!
David @ Spiced
I love a good summer salad! This ‘big salad’ has my name all over it, too. You’ve got so many awesome flavors going on here, Dawn! Like you, we grew up eating salads with imitation bacon bits…I shudder to think what those things actually are. Now we just cook up the real deal and crumble a piece on top. The dressing to this salad sounds amazing, and I’m pretty sure I need this one to happen for lunches next week! Enjoy your holiday, and see you when you get back!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you very much, David!! Hope you love it as much as we do 🙂
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
You know I love my salads, especially with summer berries, and this one is a beauty! Love the mix of greens and all the add ins. And the chicken makes this one a hearty meal that’s perfect for lunch or dinner!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you very much, Leanne! Bring on all those berries, right??