Description
A delicious and crunchy crispy chicken salad combining golden fried chicken breasts with fresh mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a zesty homemade dressing. Perfect for a light yet satisfying meal with vibrant flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crispy Chicken:
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 cup of breadcrumbs (panko for extra crunch)
- ½ cup of flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying or baking
For the Salad:
- 4 cups of mixed greens (romaine, spinach, arugula)
- 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- ½ cup of shredded carrots
- ¼ cup of red onion, thinly sliced
For the Dressing:
- ¼ cup of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of vinegar (balsamic or apple cider)
- 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: herbs like thyme or basil
Instructions
- Preparing the Crispy Chicken: First, season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Set up three bowls – one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and a third with breadcrumbs. Dip each chicken breast first in the flour, then in the eggs and finally in the breadcrumbs, making sure it is all coated. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat, and fry the chicken until it’s golden and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes on each side. Alternatively, bake it at 400°F (200°C) on a greased baking sheet for about 20-25 minutes, turning it halfway through.
- Assembling the Salad: While the chicken is cooking, place the mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, shredded carrots, and red onion in a large bowl. Toss gently to combine the ingredients and ensure an even distribution of textures and flavors.
- Mixing the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Optionally, add herbs like thyme or basil for extra flavor. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
Notes
- For extra crunch, use panko breadcrumbs.
- You can bake the chicken instead of frying for a healthier option.
- Try adding fruits like sliced apples or berries for sweetness.
- Incorporate nuts such as walnuts or pecans for additional texture.
- To make it plant-based, replace chicken with grilled tofu or chickpeas.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Frying or Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad with 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: crispy chicken salad, fried chicken salad, healthy chicken salad, easy chicken salad recipe, crunchy chicken salad, mixed greens salad, homemade dressing
