You Have To Try This Copycat Wendy's Strawberry Summer Salad Recipe

I was bummed to learn that Wendy's Strawberry Chicken Salad was a summer-only item a few years back. I frequented the restaurant during the months it was on the menu to enjoy my favorite healthy summer recipe while I could, but the limited time did eventually end. I had to create a copycat recipe  so I could enjoy it at home any time I wanted.

This Wendy's Summer Strawberry Saladcopycat recipe is one of the easiest summer salads you'll ever make, but you can enjoy it year-round, too.

Related: 38 Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes to Elevate a Basic Bowl of Greens

What's in Wendy's Summer Strawberry Salad?

Like their other craft salads, the Strawberry Salad is made fresh daily. Fresh strawberries and grilled chicken are piled on top of a bed of spring mix lettuce. Add in smoky applewood bacon, a Tuscan cheese blend, candied almonds and a champagne vinaigrette, and you have a recipe for a flavor explosion in every bite.

Is the Strawberry Salad at Wendy's Healthy?

Overall, Wendy's Summer Strawberry Salad is quite a healthy option on their menu. It's relatively low in calories and saturated fat while being high in protein and dietary fiber. This fresh, refreshing salad is definitely something you can feel good about eating.

How Much Is Wendy's Summer Strawberry Salad?

In the summer of 2023, the salad was $7.99, with the option of making it a combo meal with fries and a drink for a few dollars more. In 2026, at the time of this writing, it's $7.99–$9.49 , depending on your location.

What Is Champagne Vinaigrette?

The main ingredient in champagne vinaigrette is champagne vinegar, which gives the dressing a bright and tangy flavor. Mixing it with olive oil, dijon mustard, lemon juice, honey, garlic, salt and pepper results in a sweet and sour dressing that brightens up any salad.

Related: I Tried Julia Child's 'World Famous' Vinaigrette and Now I Get the Hype

Copycat Wendy's Summer Strawberry Salad Recipe

My take on this fresh summer salad is super easy, takes a lot of help from the store, can be ready in about 15 minutes and makes for a tasty lunch or even light supper on a hot night.

I used pre-washed spring mix greens, sliced almonds, fresh strawberries, applewood smoked bacon, frozen grilled chicken strips, a Tuscan cheese blend and a store-bought champagne vinaigrette. All of these were easily found at my local big-box store—no specialty store needed.

Honestly, I was planning to make a homemade salad dressing, but every bottle of champagne vinegar I found was almost seven dollars, while the bottled dressing was only four, so this was purely a budget decision.

If you want to use a store-bought dressing too, look for a good-quality one and be willing to spend a little more than you might normally on a bottle of ranch.

Ingredients

• spring mix greens

• sliced almonds

• shaved cheese

• strawberries

• frozen grilled chicken strips

• bacon

• champagne vinaigrette

Tools Needed

• sharp knife

• cutting board

• measuring cups

• dinner plates

• small skillet

• spatula

How To Make Wendy's Summer Strawberry Salad

This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

1. Heat chicken according to package directions. For mine, I warmed it in a dry skillet over medium heat for about five minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.

2. Divide spring greens mix evenly onto two dinner-sized plates.

3. Top lettuce with sliced strawberries, chopped bacon and chicken. Sprinkle with almonds and cheese.

4. Pour dressing onto the salad to taste.

5. Serve immediately with extra almonds, cheese and dressing on the side.

Related: 30 Super Creamy Burrata Recipes

Wendy's Summer Strawberry Salad is so refreshing on a hot day that I will be eating it on repeat all summer long. I'm so happy I have this copycat version, which I can have any time I want, is easier on the wallet and can be on my table in almost no time at all!

Best Tips

• Look for a triple-washed spring green mix that doesn't need much rinsing to avoid a wet salad.

• The shaved Tuscan cheese blend was next to the other shredded cheeses. Shaved Parmesan and/or Romano cheese would also work.

• You will use four to six strawberries total, depending on their size.

• Pre-cooked bacon or real bacon bits can be used too.

• If using a bottled dressing, look for a good quality one.

• Frozen grilled chicken strips are a great item to keep in the freezer to add to salads, stir-fries and casseroles.

Related: It's Salad Season! Here Are 10 of the Best High-Fiber Salad Recipes

Ingredients

• 1 box spring salad mix

• 2 cups frozen grilled chicken strips, cooked according to package directions

• 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and chopped into large pieces

• 1/2 cup shaved Tuscan cheese blend

• 1/3 cup sliced almonds

• 4-6 strawberries, sliced

• Champagne vinaigrette

1. Cook frozen chicken strips according to package directions. For mine, I heated them in a dry skillet over medium heat for about five minutes, stirring constantly. Set aside to cool a little.

2. Divide spring mix between two dinner plates.

3. Top with sliced strawberries, cooked chicken and bacon.

4. Sprinkle with almonds and cheese.

5. Pour dressing over salad.

6. Serve with extra almonds and cheese on the side.

This story was originally published by Parade on Jun 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the Recipes section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.