LongHorn Grilled Chicken & Strawberry Salad: The Quiet Winner of the Menu
Introduction
There’s always one person at the table who doesn’t want steak. Maybe they had a big lunch. Maybe they’re trying to eat lighter. Maybe they just don’t feel like sawing through a ribeye at 8 p.m. on a Wednesday. That’s the person I always point at the LongHorn Grilled Chicken & Strawberry Salad because it’s the one plate on the menu that takes “lighter” seriously without making you feel like you got the consolation prize.
I’ve ordered this thing more times than I care to admit. Some visits I’m trying to be good. Other visits I just want something that doesn’t sit heavy. Either way, it shows up the same: a real grilled chicken breast with proper grill marks, strawberries that actually taste like strawberries, candied pecans with real crunch, and feta that doesn’t disappear into the greens. The raspberry vinaigrette pulls it together without drowning anything.
If you’re trying to figure out whether it’s worth ordering at a steakhouse where everything else on the menu is screaming “ribeye,” here’s what you need to know.
Quick Facts: LongHorn Grilled Chicken & Strawberry Salad
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Menu Category | Salads / Light Entrée Salads |
| Default Protein | ~6 oz grilled chicken breast |
| Cooking Method | Grilled chicken over a cold chopped salad |
| Calories (no dressing) | ~420–480 |
| Protein | 40–45 g |
| Sugar | 14–18 g |
| Spice Level | None |
| Default Dressing | Raspberry vinaigrette |
| Gluten-Free? | Yes (confirm dressing) |
| Keto-Friendly? | No (fruit + candied pecans push carbs up) |
| Best Side Pairing | Grilled asparagus |
| Average Price (2026) | $15–$18 (varies by location) |
| Available for Delivery? | Yes (DoorDash, Uber Eats) |
| Customizable? | Yes, sirloin/salmon swap, dressing choice, no pecans |
Key Takeaways
- The LongHorn Grilled Chicken & Strawberry Salad is the lightest real entrée on the menu around 420–480 calories before dressing, with 40+ grams of lean protein
- Built on grilled chicken breast, fresh strawberries, candied pecans, feta cheese, and mixed field greens, with raspberry vinaigrette on the side
- Sweet-savory flavor profile none of it is heavy, none of it is spicy, and the whole thing feels like summer regardless of the season
- Best for lighter eaters, gluten-free diners, fruit lovers, or anyone at a steakhouse who just doesn’t feel like steak
- Order it with the dressing on the side, and if you want to push it from good to great, swap the chicken for salmon
Is the Grilled Chicken & Strawberry Salad Right for You?
| You’ll love it if… | You’ll want to skip if… |
|---|---|
| You’re trying to eat lighter without ordering a kid-sized portion | You don’t like fruit in savory dishes |
| You want a high-protein, lower-calorie restaurant meal | You’re on a strict keto or low-sugar plan |
| You’re gluten-free and want a safe order | You came to LongHorn specifically for steak |
| You’re eating outdoors in spring or summer | You don’t like sweet dressings |
| You want a salad that travels well as leftovers | You want a heavier, more filling entrée |
What Is the LongHorn Grilled Chicken & Strawberry Salad?
The LongHorn Grilled Chicken & Strawberry Salad is a cold mixed-greens salad with a sliced grilled chicken breast, fresh strawberries, candied pecans, and feta cheese crumbles, served with raspberry vinaigrette on the side. It’s listed under salads on the LongHorn Steakhouse menu, but the portion eats like a full meal. The chicken is a proper breast, not a few cubes on top.
You’ll see people refer to it under a handful of different names: the LongHorn Strawberry Chicken Salad, the chicken berry salad, the fruit salad with chicken, or just “the strawberry one.” Same dish.
If you’ve eaten at LongHorn before, this one sits at the opposite end of the spectrum from the 7-Pepper Sirloin Salad. That one is heavy, peppery, savory. This one is bright, sweet, and clean. It’s the dish LongHorn keeps on the menu year-round to make sure they always have a real light option for anyone who walks in not wanting steak.
Main Ingredients
Here’s what actually arrives on the plate:
- Grilled chicken breast, sliced, seasoned simply, real grill marks
- Fresh strawberries, sliced
- Candied pecans, lightly toasted and sweetened
- Feta cheese crumbles
- Mixed field greens usually a spring mix with baby lettuces
- Raspberry vinaigrette, on the side
- Some locations add thin red onion slices for a bit of sharpness
The thing I always notice about this salad is that every ingredient is doing actual work. The strawberries aren’t there for the photo, they’re sliced fresh, they’re sweet, and they bleed a little juice into the greens in a good way. The candied pecans have real crunch (which sounds obvious until you’ve had a salad where they were stale). The feta is loose crumbles, not a pre-mixed sprinkle. None of this is fancy, but all of it shows up. That’s the difference between a chain salad you remember and one you forget.
A Quick Note on Ingredient Quality
LongHorn is owned by Darden Restaurants, which operates a centralized supply chain across its brands (Olive Garden, Cheddar’s, Yard House). Strawberries are sourced fresh and rotated daily at most locations. The kitchen typically slices them in-house rather than receiving them pre-cut. The candied pecans arrive pre-made from a Darden supplier and are stored sealed; freshness depends on inventory turnover at your specific location. Feta is standard crumble-grade, not artisan. The chicken breasts are marinated in-house before grilling which is why the seasoning is consistent across locations.
If you’re at a high-volume location (urban areas, weekends), expect fresher strawberries and crunchier pecans. Slow-night locations are where this salad occasionally disappoints.
Taste and Flavor Profile
First bite is sweet. The strawberries land first, then the raspberry vinaigrette catches up with a tangy edge, then the feta walks in with the salt. The grilled chicken arrives a half-second later, still warm, against the cold greens and the candied pecans hit at the end with that toasty, almost-caramel crunch.
What I like about it is the balance. There’s no single flavor that hijacks the whole bowl. You get sweet, salty, tangy, smoky, crisp, all of them present, none of them shouting. Compare that to most steakhouse salads, where the dressing or the cheese usually takes over and the rest of the bowl is just along for the ride.
Texture-wise, every forkful is doing something different. Tender warm chicken. Cold crisp lettuce. Soft juicy strawberry. Brittle candied pecan. Creamy feta crumble. That contrast is why the salad feels more substantial than the calorie count would suggest.
If you’ve ever had a strawberry-spinach salad at a friend’s house, the classic strawberry chicken salad recipe with poppyseed dressing, this is in the same family, but cleaner and less sweet. Less goopy dressing. More chicken. More restaurants in a good way.
Nutritional Information
LongHorn updates its published nutrition info from time to time, so treat these as a working range rather than gospel. For the standard version with no dressing:
| Nutrient | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 420–480 |
| Protein | 40–45 g |
| Total Fat | 18–24 g |
| Saturated Fat | 5–7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 22–28 g |
| Net Carbs | 17–22 g |
| Fiber | 5–6 g |
| Sugar | 14–18 g |
| Sodium | 700–950 mg |
A few real things worth knowing about those numbers:
The sugar is real. Between the strawberries, the candied pecans, and a fruit-based vinaigrette, you’re adding it from three directions at once. If you’re watching sugar, ask for balsamic vinaigrette instead of raspberry, and skip the candied pecans that drop sugar by 8 to 10 grams without changing the experience too much.
The sodium is actually low for a restaurant salad. Most steakhouse entrées clear 1,500 mg easily. This one comes in well under that. If salt is a concern, this is one of the smarter orders on the menu.
The protein-to-calorie ratio is excellent. You’re getting 40+ grams of lean protein in under 500 calories — that’s one of the best ratios at any chain steakhouse, full stop. People building higher-protein meal plans on a budget end up here for that reason.
You’re also picking up some real nutritional extras that don’t show up on the label: vitamin C from the strawberries, antioxidants from the berries and greens, and decent dietary fiber from the produce and pecans together. None of that justifies eating it every day, but it adds up to a meal that’s actually doing something good for you, not just being not-bad.
Allergen notes: Contains dairy (feta), tree nuts (pecans), and possibly egg in some vinaigrettes. Confirm the gluten status of the dressing with your server. Shared kitchen, so cross-contamination is always possible. Flag severe allergies up front.
For exact figures tied to your specific location and order, check LongHorn’s current nutrition guide.
Diet Compatibility at a Glance
| Diet / Plan | Compatible? | What to Adjust |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-Free | Yes | Confirm dressing is GF |
| Low-Sodium | Yes | Default sodium is restaurant-low |
| High-Protein | Yes | 40+ g protein as-served |
| Mediterranean | Yes | Naturally fits the framework |
| Pescatarian | Yes, with swap | Substitute salmon for chicken |
| Vegetarian | Possible | Remove chicken, ask for extra feta or pecans |
| Keto | Limited | Skip pecans, halve strawberries, balsamic dressing |
| Low-Carb (relaxed) | Yes, with adjustments | Skip pecans only |
| Diabetic-Friendly | With adjustments | Balsamic instead of raspberry, skip pecans |
| Whole30 | No | Feta, pecans, and vinaigrette break compliance |
Why People Love the Grilled Chicken & Strawberry Salad
A few reasons keep this salad in steady rotation, both for first-timers and regulars.
It’s actually light. That sounds like a small thing, but think about how many “light” restaurant salads end up at 800 calories once you count everything. This one stays under 500 even after a normal dressing pour. The math actually works the way the menu implies it does. That’s part of why it shows up so often on best-LongHorn-salad-for-weight-loss searches; the numbers genuinely back it up.
The sweet-savory thing wins people over. I’ve watched people who normally avoid salads eat this one without complaint because it doesn’t read as a salad in their head. The strawberries change what their brain is registering. It’s a trick that works.
It travels well. Strawberries hold up better than tomatoes or cucumbers in a takeout container. Cold grilled chicken is still good cold. The pecans keep their crunch if you pack them separately. If you’re ordering lunch the next day, this is one of the better travel salads on the LongHorn salad menu and one of the better LongHorn lunch salad orders in general.
It flexes for a lot of diets. Gluten-free with the right dressing. Mediterranean-style without much effort. Easy to swap to salmon if someone’s pescatarian. Low-sodium by default. The flexibility is part of why it shows up on so many first-time LongHorn orders.
It works year-round but peaks in summer. Strawberry quality is at its best from late spring through early fall, and during those months, this salad is genuinely one of the best chain-restaurant summer salads in the U.S.
Best Side Dishes and Drink Pairings
The salad is filling enough on its own, but most tables add at least one side. Here’s how the options actually pair:
- Grilled asparagus keeps the meal clean and light. Best single pairing for this salad.
- Sweet potato, the sweetness echoes the strawberries, which can go either way. Fine if you like the doubling-up.
- Seasoned rice neutral, fills you out, doesn’t fight anything.
- A loaded baked potato is too heavy. Pulls the meal out of light territory entirely.
- Steakhouse mac and cheese only if you’re sharing it. Eating the whole thing alongside this salad defeats the point.
For drinks:
- Dry rosé is the best wine pairing here, especially in summer. Berries and rosé belong together.
- Sauvignon Blanc is the safe pick, the citrus and grass notes echo the vinaigrette.
- Pinot Grigio is the crowd-pleaser pick. Light, clean, doesn’t compete with the strawberries.
- Wheat beer or light lager works for beer drinkers. Avoid IPAs and dark beers; they bury the salad.
- Sparkling water with lemon is the workhorse non-alcoholic pairing. Unsweetened iced tea also works.
- Lemonade is too sweet on top of the strawberries; skip it.
Dressing Pairing Guide
| Dressing | Calories (approx.) | Pairs With This Salad? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raspberry Vinaigrette | 120–160 | Excellent built for it | Default order |
| Balsamic Vinaigrette | 80–100 | Very good cuts the sweetness | Sugar-conscious eaters |
| Honey Mustard | 150–180 | Too sweet skip | – |
| Ranch | 200–250 | Wrong direction, too heavy | Skip |
| Bleu Cheese | 250–300 | Fights the strawberries | Skip |
Variations and Popular Versions
LongHorn doesn’t officially sell multiple versions of this salad, but customers customize it in a handful of common ways:
Swap the chicken for sirloin. Same salad base, sliced steak on top instead of chicken. Heavier, but it works.
Swap the chicken for salmon. This is the upgrade I push hardest. The richness of grilled salmon against the sweetness of strawberries and the salt of feta is genuinely one of the best combinations on the menu. If your server tells you salmon is available, take it. Pricing adjusts.
Skip the candied pecans. The biggest sugar source in the bowl. Cutting them drops 8 to 10 grams of sugar without changing the experience too much. Some locations will give you plain toasted pecans instead.
Hold the feta. A few people don’t like the salty bite against the sweet strawberries. If you skip the feta, ask for a little extra chicken or some bacon to keep a savory anchor otherwise, the salad tips fully into “fruit salad” territory.
Ask about extra strawberries. Seasonal availability is the limiting factor here, but in peak strawberry season (roughly late spring through early summer), most locations will accommodate.
Dressing on the side. Most people order it this way, and you should too. This salad gets soggy faster than most because the strawberries already release moisture as they sit.
How It Compares to Other LongHorn Salads
| Feature | Grilled Chicken & Strawberry Salad | 7-Pepper Sirloin Salad | Steakhouse Caesar w/ Chicken |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein Source | Grilled chicken | Peppercorn-crusted sirloin | Grilled chicken |
| Calories (no dressing) | ~420–480 | ~540–600 | ~520–580 |
| Protein | 40–45 g | 50–55 g | 38–42 g |
| Flavor Profile | Sweet, fruity, light | Peppery, smoky, sharp | Salty, garlicky, classic |
| Best For | Lighter appetite, fruit lovers | Steak lovers cutting calories | Caesar purists |
| Spice Level | None | Mild-medium | None |
| Gluten-Free Option | Yes | Yes (no croutons) | No (croutons + dressing) |
| Sugar Content | High (14–18 g) | Low (4–6 g) | Low |
How It Compares to Other Chain Restaurant Strawberry Salads
| Restaurant | Calories (no dressing) | Protein | Notable Differences |
|---|---|---|---|
| LongHorn Steakhouse | 420–480 | 40–45 g | Feta + candied pecans, raspberry vinaigrette |
| Outback Steakhouse | 450–510 | 38–42 g | No nuts, ranch-style dressing |
| Texas Roadhouse | Not on the menu | – | Doesn’t offer a strawberry salad |
| Olive Garden | 380–440 | 32–36 g | Lighter chicken portion |
| Applebee’s Strawberry Chicken | 500–560 | 36–40 g | Sweeter overall, more dressing |
| Panera Strawberry Poppyseed | 340–380 | 28–32 g | Smaller portion, lower protein |
LongHorn’s version sits in a sweet spot, higher protein than Panera or Olive Garden, lighter than Applebee’s, and better-balanced than Outback. The candied pecans are what separate it from most of these.
Tips Before You Order
A few things worth knowing before you sit down:
Get the dressing on the side. Strawberries leak juice as they sit a pre-dressed salad turns watery fast.
If you’re at a slow hour, peek at the strawberries before they walk away from the table. Strawberries are make-or-break here. Fresh ones lift the whole plate. Soft, dull-looking ones ruin it. Most locations turn over inventory fast enough that this isn’t a problem, but it’s worth a glance on a slow Tuesday night.
Want it heartier? Swap to salmon or sirloin. The salad’s sweetness can handle a richer protein.
Watching sugar? Skip the candied pecans and order balsamic instead of raspberry vinaigrette.
To-go? Ask for dressing, pecans, and chicken packed separately. Pecans go soft fast in a closed container with damp greens. Reassemble at home.
If you don’t like fruit in your savory food, this isn’t your salad. Some people just don’t enjoy sweet-savory combinations, and that’s fine order the Steakhouse Caesar or the 7-Pepper Sirloin Salad instead.
How to Tell If Your Strawberries Are Fresh
| Sign | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Bright red color, no white shoulders | Fresh batch good order day |
| Slight gloss, firm slices | Sliced the same day |
| Dull red, soft edges | Sat in the fridge a day too long |
| Wet/leaky bottom of bowl | Past peak, ask for a swap politely |
| Pale pink or hollow centers | Out-of-season berries, manage expectations |
You can ask your server to swap them if they look off. Most LongHorn managers will do it without pushback. Strawberry quality is one of the easier things to fix.
When to Order It (Seasonal Notes)
| Season | Worth Ordering? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Excellent | Peak strawberry season starts |
| Summer | Best time | Strawberries at their freshest |
| Fall | Good | Still solid, slight quality dip |
| Winter | Decent | Imported berries, less flavor, manage expectations |
4 Ordering Hacks Most People Don’t Know
- Ask for the salmon swap even if it’s not listed. Most locations will do it during seasonal availability, and it’s the single best version of this salad.
- Request “extra strawberries, light dressing” instead of “dressing on the side.” You end up with a fresher salad without the inconvenience of dressing yourself.
- Skip the pecans, ask for a side of bacon instead. Some locations will accommodate. Saltier, less sweet, more savory anchor.
- Order it as a half-portion appetizer at some locations. Not on every menu, but available if you ask, perfect for a starter before a steak entrée.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the LongHorn Grilled Chicken & Strawberry Salad healthy?
By restaurant salad standards, yes. It’s one of the lightest entrée salads on the menu, around 420 to 480 calories without dressing, 40+ grams of lean protein, low sodium, real produce. The main thing to watch is sugar: strawberries, candied pecans, and raspberry vinaigrette together can push the dressed salad to 25–30 grams of sugar.
How many calories are in the LongHorn Grilled Chicken & Strawberry Salad?
Roughly 420–480 calories without dressing. Raspberry vinaigrette adds 120–160 calories. Balsamic vinaigrette is the lighter alternative at under 100. So fully dressed, you’re looking at 500–650 calories total, depending on dressing choice.
How much does the Grilled Chicken & Strawberry Salad cost?
Pricing varies by location, but most LongHorn restaurants list it between $15 and $18 in 2026. Swapping the chicken for sirloin or salmon adds a few dollars.
Is the salad gluten-free?
The chicken, greens, strawberries, pecans, and feta are gluten-free. The raspberry vinaigrette usually is too, but ingredients change occasionally. Confirm with your server if gluten is a strict dietary issue for you.
Is the Grilled Chicken & Strawberry Salad keto-friendly?
Not really. Strawberries plus candied pecans push the carbs and sugar above most strict keto targets. You can adjust by skipping the candied pecans, halving the strawberries, and asking for balsamic vinaigrette that brings net carbs to roughly 10–12 g, which fits relaxed keto but not strict.
Is the LongHorn strawberry salad good for weight loss?
It’s one of the smarter LongHorn orders if you’re tracking calories. Around 420–480 before dressing, 40+ grams of protein, real produce, and low sodium. For active weight loss, skip the candied pecans and order balsamic instead of raspberry vinaigrette, which brings the full meal under 550 calories with protein still above 40 grams.
Can I substitute sirloin or salmon for the chicken?
Yes. Both are common swaps. Salmon, in my opinion, is the better pairing; the richness of grilled salmon balances the sweetness of the berries beautifully. Sirloin works if you want something heartier. Pricing adjusts with the swap.
What dressing comes with the salad by default?
Raspberry vinaigrette. It’s built for this salad and pairs the best out of any LongHorn dressing option. Balsamic vinaigrette is the standard alternative for anyone watching sugar.
Can I make the LongHorn Grilled Chicken & Strawberry Salad at home?
You can make a close copycat version. The base is mixed field greens, sliced grilled chicken breast, fresh strawberries, candied pecans, feta crumbles, and raspberry vinaigrette. The hardest part to replicate is LongHorn’s specific raspberry vinaigrette, which has a thinner, slightly tangier profile than most grocery store versions. Brianna’s Blush Wine Vinaigrette is the closest substitute most home cooks find.
Can I order the LongHorn Grilled Chicken & Strawberry Salad on DoorDash or Uber Eats?
Yes, it’s available on most major delivery platforms wherever the location supports delivery. Ask for the dressing, candied pecans, and chicken to be packed separately so nothing softens in transit.
Is this salad on the menu year-round?
Yes, it stays on the LongHorn salad menu year-round. The quality of the strawberries varies with the season; peak flavor is in spring through early fall.
Does the salad come with bread?
LongHorn brings out their honey wheat bread to every table at the start of the meal, so yes, you’ll get bread regardless of what you order. The salad itself doesn’t include bread on the plate.
Conclusion
The LongHorn Grilled Chicken & Strawberry Salad is the menu’s quiet winner. It doesn’t show up on the commercials. Nobody’s talking about it in the parking lot afterward. But it keeps doing its job — the order that makes the non-steak person at the table happy, the order for the friend trying to eat lighter without feeling deprived, the order for the summer evening when a 16-ounce ribeye sounds like a bad idea.
If you’ve never had it, the simplest version of this advice is: order it with the dressing on the side, ask for grilled asparagus as your side, and pour yourself a glass of dry rosé if it’s warm out or a Sauvignon Blanc if it’s not. If you want to push the dish from good to great, swap the chicken for salmon. If you’re watching sugar, skip the candied pecans and go with balsamic. That’s the version that consistently delivers.
It’s a real meal that happens to be light. At a steakhouse, that’s a more useful thing than it sounds. At $15 to $18 a plate in 2026, it’s also one of the better value orders on the LongHorn menu.
