This past November, I kind of got a wild hair. My brother called me and asked if I wanted to go to Disneyland. My response: “Heck yes! When were you thinking?” {Expecting to hear, “Next spring or summer”.} His response: “Next week.” Uh. Come again? It’s always been my dream to go on vacation on the spur of the moment, but with a baby and everything? I didn’t see how it would be possible. But, despite all of that, I said yes. I know, crazy, right? I flew from Denver to Utah, so I could hang out with my family for a couple days and so I could fly with my brothers to California. {Side note: I hate flying. So I needed all the moral support I could get.}
Anyway, long story short, the vacation was great. I loved every second of it. But where this all ties in is that while I was in Utah, I met up with my brothers at a mall in Salt Lake City. We were going to go to The Cheesecake Factory until we heard that the wait was like a million years long. No, thank you. So, we walked outside, looked around, and spotted “Brio Tuscan Grille”. I’d never been there, but we were starving and on the verge of being hangry, so we gave it a shot. I ordered this strawberry balsamic chicken salad and oh. my. lanta. I don’t think I’ve ever loved a salad this much. It has seriously become my very favorite salad. I’ve found myself craving it multiple times and since there isn’t a Brio close to where I live {and I also don’t love paying 14 bucks a salad}, I am so happy to have found this copycat recipe! You’ll love it. Promise.
Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Salad {Brio Copycat}
Recipe from KVOA
Makes 1 large salad
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup Iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1 & 1/2 cup Spring Mix lettuce
- 1/8 cup Tuscan Italian salad dressing
- 1/4 cup Balsamic vinaigrette, divided
- 2 Tbsp. candied pecans, divided
- 2 Tbsp. Gorgonzola cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup red grapes, cut into fourths
- Pinch of salt and pepper
- 4 oz. shaved chicken, sliced
- 10 medium strawberries, cut into fourths
Directions:
- In a medium mixing bowl, place lettuces, Tuscan Italian dressing, 1/8 cup Balsamic vinaigrette, 1 Tbsp. pecans, 1 Tbsp. Gorgonzola cheese, grapes, salt and pepper, and then toss to coat.
- In a separate small mixing bowl, place chicken, strawberries, and the other 1/8 cup Balsamic vinaigrette and mix.
- Place chicken mixture on top of salad.
- Garnish with the remaining 1 Tbsp. pecans and 1 Tbsp. Gorgonzola cheese.
This recipe can easily feed 4 people as a side salad or 1-2 people as a main meal. Enjoy!
-Sarah
Oh yum, this looks amazing!!! I tend to have trouble finding a great balsamic, what do you suggest?
Wow…does that ever look good! Is the Tuscan Italian salad dressing made by Kraft? I think they make one…or is it another brand that you use?
This looks “amazazing”, as my 14 yr old would say!! Can’t wait to try this one on my family…I think my kiddos will love it too! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I’m coming late to this game- just had this salad yesterday for the first time and it’s the best thing I’ve eaten in a long time! I wasn’t sure how I was going to live without it, but then I found your recipe- thank so much !