Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Flatbread – hearty flatbread, fresh grilled chicken, toasted pecans, and a simple strawberry caprese make this recipe delicious & healthy – a favorite worth repeating in your meal plan!
This post is sponsored by Florida Strawberry Growers Association in conjunction with a social media campaign through Sunday Supper LLC. All opinions are my own.
I don’t know if you knew this, but I love strawberries.
Here in Florida, we don’t gauge seasons by weather (because it would be only Summer and Summerer,) we figure out what time of year it is based on what kind of produce is in season. Watermelons and cantaloupe (haha choir reference) everywhere mean it’s deep, boiling, sunscreen-weather summer (in case the heat index doesn’t give it away).
Good citrus (meaning not sour and watery, like the warm weather oranges) indicates it might actually be winter (a couple good cold days here and there doesn’t count.)
And when you find people hauling dozens of flats of ripe red “Fresh From Florida” strawberries away from the market and to their homes? Winter and Spring here are virtually the same, anyway, so it’s somewhere between November and April, most likely. Just check your calendar between bites of perfect berry to be sure.
I don’t often use strawberries in things other than dessert, but I’ve been totally inspired by the beauty of this year’s crop. I’ve recently started trying strange ingredients on well-known foods (sweet potato pizza, anyone?), and this Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Flatbread seemed like it was just far enough out of the box to be the most delicious thing I’ve had all winter.
Did you know that strawberries aren’t even a true berry?
Yeah, I know. I was kind of surprised, too. All because their seeds are on the outside.
Whoever decided that must have known that they deserved a classification all their own – FabuRedGemOfSweetnessAndAllThingsJoyous.
A bit wordy. That’s why I don’t have a degree in science. My brain is too out there for the simplicity of it.
Remember earlier this year, when I decided I was going to put my black thumb to the test and try to dye it green? I had a little success, in the form of a huge, blossoming squash plant, a jalapeño bush that bloomed in the very pot I bought it in, and a miraculous, thriving grocery store basil plant that belonged on The Walking Dead. I also bought a box of strawberry bulbs in my many travels to Home Depot, which sadly has yet to make it out of said box.
I blame it on the fact that I couldn’t find a strawberry planter that I liked, but really I think it was just because I knew they’d never taste like Plant City berries.
Having a home strawberry garden would be pretty wonderful, though. The holidays are almost out of the way, and I’m really beginning to feel the aftermath of the last six months.
You know what that means…
It’s the dreaded requisite “I’m gonna eat better and exercise again” resolution. The one that most people abandon within a couple of months, which just can’t happen to me; I really do have to get back on the wagon. Between my very trying job, trying to have a baby, and all the food I devour test for the blog, I’ve lost the healthy balance I once had such a strong lock on.
Getting back to a healthier diet is one of the hardest things to do after the richness of holiday eating, but including Florida strawberries can make the transition easier! A 1-cup serving of 8 strawberries has less than 50 calories, contains less than 3 teaspoons of sugar, and is equal your daily requirement of vitamin C.
Meaning trading in Christmas cookies and those big slabs of pumpkin pie for a few strawberries can still calm your craving for sweets, and also provide you with some considerable vitamins that buttery treats just can’t beat.
#ResolutionWinning!
This recipe is full of firsts for me. My first homemade flatbread, first time eating strawberries on a non-dessert, first time pairing them with balsamic vinegar.
Fourth time eating burrata since August, but that’s…you know. That’s gonna happen when you find a new love.
I entered into developing this recipe with nothing but enthusiasm, though, and the end result opened my eyes to the many possibilities of savory strawberry recipes. There are a ton already out there on Pinterest, but I can’t wait to spend strawberry season going through pints upon pints of them to find that perfect combo that no one has thought of yet.
What about you? Do you have a genius strawberry recipe to share? Or do you just enjoy the berries in all of their natural beauty?
Did you know that love could win you some cash?
Head on over to Instagram and enter the Show us your Strawberries Photo Contest, presented by Sunday Supper and Florida Strawberries!
Entering is easy – just do what you always do on Instagram, and snap away! Share a photo featuring a strawberry using the hashtag #FLStrawberry and you could win a $100, $50, or $25 gift card! The contest runs from today (December 27th) through January 17th, and the winners will be chosen at random and announced during our LIVE #SundaySupper Twitter Party on January 17th!
Take a look at my Insta today for more details. Good luck, strawberry lovers!! (THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED!)
- 2 Naan or other flatbread
- 3/4 cup pecan halves
- 2 1/2 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 shallots, thinly sliced
- Sea salt
- 1/2 cup plus 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar, divided
- 5 ounces fresh Burrata or Mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 1 chicken breast, grilled and thinly sliced
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, washed and halved
- Basil, chiffonade
- Arugula (optional)
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place Naan bread on baking sheet and brush each with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Set aside.
- In a medium skillet, toast pecans over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, until browned and crunchy. Remove from pan and set aside to cool.
- Heat remaining olive oil in skillet over medium-low heat. Saute shallots for 6-7 minutes until browned, then sprinkle them with a pinch of sea salt. Saute another 5 minutes, then remove skillet from heat, adding balsamic vinegar and tossing to deglaze the pan and soak the shallots. Set aside to cool.
- Place remaining balsamic in a small saucepan set over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, keeping a strong simmer, until the vinegar has reduced by 1/3 and coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and allow to continue to thicken.
- Assemble the flatbread; arrange the Burrata/ Mozzarella slices on the Naan, then top with sliced chicken breast, caramelized shallots, strawberry halves, basil, and a sprinkle of sea salt.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and drizzle on balsamic reduction, then top with arugula if desired. Enjoy!
How do you enjoy your Fresh From Florida strawberries? Keep up with the exciting world of Florida Strawberries, Sue, and Jammer by following them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, subscribe on YouTube, or share their recipes on Pinterest!
These 20 recipes are proof that strawberries aren’t just for dessert, anymore!
Strawberries for Starters
- Crispy Strawberry and Brie Bites by Ruffles & Truffles
- Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Flatbread by The Crumby Cupcake
- Strawberry Basil Goat Cheese Ball by Take A Bite Out of Boca
Strawberries for Breakfast
ORDER OUR #1 BEST SELLER COOKBOOK!
- Creamy Strawberry Chia Seed Avocado Smoothie by An Appealing Plan
- Fresh Strawberry Breakfast Parfait by The Freshman Cook
- Strawberry Balsamic Frittata by Gluten Free Crumbley
- Strawberry Bread by Desserts Required
- Strawberry Breakfast Cake by Recipe for Perfection
- Strawberry French Toast Kabobs by Recipes Food and Cooking
- Strawberry Guacamole & Bacon Toast by I’m Not the Nanny
Strawberries for Lunch
- Strawberry-Poppyseed Chicken Salad Sandwiches by Casa de Crews
- Venison Street Tacos by Grumpy’s Honeybunch
- Strawberry Brie Flatbread Salad by Family Foodie
- Strawberry Caprese Salad by Life Tastes Good
Strawberries for Dinner
- Balsamic Pork Salad with Strawberries and Goat Cheese by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Healthy One Pot Chicken Strawberry Paella by Food Done Light
- Pecan Chicken with Strawberry Chipotle Salsa by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
- Quinoa with Salmon and Strawberries by Cooking Chat
- Strawberry BBQ Meatballs by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Strawberry Risotto by Magnolia Days
Plus don’t miss Delicious Strawberry Ideas and Sweet Recipes by Sunday Supper Movement
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So many great flavors! It’s like my favorite salad on flatbread! yummmm
David @ Cooking Chat says
what a delicious idea to use strawberries on flatbread! I can imagine this would come together nicely.
Nichole says
Oh yum! I love flatbreads. I love balsamic, and I loveeeee strawberries – so this is a perfect combo to me!
Hezzi-D says
I’ve got to get back on the healthy eating wagon too! I’ve been out of control the last month. Your flatbread with strawberries, chicken, and balsamic sounds like the perfect pairing
Cindy Kerschner says
Great lunch idea, Erica!
Liz @ Books n' Cooks says
This looks wonderful! I’m looking for easy, fresh ideas after all of the holiday eating!
Erica says
Girl, tell me about it. SO much overeating. I’m actually kind of looking forward to getting back to a healthier routine!
Katie @ Recipe for Perfection says
This is just gorgeous! I love the combo of strawberries and nuts on this flatbread.
Erica says
Thank you, Katie! It’s a delish combo, and I can’t get over how pretty it all looked once it came together! So festive!
Renee says
Stunning flatbread! I could make a meal of it any day of the week and then some.
Shaina says
This looks absolutely gorgeous — and delicious too! I love the combination of strawberries and balsamic.
Constance Smith | Cosmopolitan Cornbread says
First of all, pecans are one of my favorite nuts – and what a great way to use them, With Strawberries!! YUM!
Krayl @ An Appealing Plan says
Such a great combination! I would never have thought to put strawberries on pizza but yours looks amazing!