Make this Easy Crispy Chicken Salad in no time at all using a few simple ingredients! It is a satisfying and healthy dish that combines crunchy chicken pieces with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, and more. Serve with garlic herb or honey mustard dressing.
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This tasty chicken salad recipe is a delicious and easy way to enjoy a healthy meal in the summer. It is ideal for a quick and simple dinner or lunch, when you want something light and refreshing. This salad is packed with flavor and texture, from the crisp lettuce, chicken, and spicy jalapenos to the smooth avocado and dressing. The chicken is the highlight of this dish as it is crispy and golden on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. This chicken salad recipe is a crowd-pleaser that you will want to make over and over again.
You may also enjoy these Baked Crispy Chicken Drumsticks, How to Make Crispy Panko Shrimp and Easy Kale Apple Salad.
Why You Should Try This Recipe
- This easy crispy chicken salad is quick and simple to make.
- The chicken is crispy and delicious.
- This crispy chicken salad can be made ahead of time.
- The ingredients are easy to find.
Easy Crispy Chicken Salad Ingredients
- Chicken: Use fresh chicken fillets. Remove any excess fat and bash the fillets with a blunt object before seasoning. This will tenderize it and help it to cook faster. If you are using frozen chicken, allow it to thaw completely before following the recipe.
- All-purpose flour: It is used to make the crispy crust of the chicken. The fillets are first coated in flour.
- Egg: The egg mixture acts as glue for the panko crumbs. After coating the fillet in flour, dip it in the egg and then press the panko onto the chicken.
- Panko: These are crunchy flakes that add texture and flavor to food. They are used to coat food before frying or baking.
- Parmesan cheese: Use good quality parmesan for flavor.
- Cooking spray: Is used to cook the fillets in the air fryer.
- Lettuce: I used romaine hearts but feel free to use any greens of your choice.
- Cherry tomatoes: Half the cherry tomatoes to make them bite-sized and easy to eat.
- Avocado: Use ripe avocado for the best flavor.
- Red onion: Dice red onions to add some bite. You can also swap them with scallions.
- Jalapeños: Chop these delicious peppers to add some heat.
- Dressing: I used shop-bought garlic herb dressing but feel free to use honey mustard, a homemade dressing or any other dressing.
Tips and Substitutions
- Crispy chicken: There are many ways to make a crispy chicken crust. Instead, you can follow the same crispy chicken salad recipe and swap the panko crumbs with cornflakes or crispy breadcrumbs.
- Make ahead: You can make the chicken ahead of time and reheat them in the oven or microwave once you are ready to serve.
- Batches: Feel free to double or triple this salad if you are feeding a crowd.
- Air-fry: I used an air fryer to make the chicken a healthy alternative. However, you can also use an oven or shallow fry the chicken instead. Using an oven, line a baking tray with a nonstick baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes at 190C/380F. If you prefer frying, coat a pan with oil and cook on both sides for 7-10 minutes on a medium-high heat.
- Customize: You can customize this recipe with any ingredients of your choice. For example, you can make it more hearty by adding croutons or quinoa, or you can skip the jalapeños if you do not like chili.
How to Make Easy Crispy Chicken Salad
- In a bowl, mix the panko with olive oil, salt, and paprika. Set aside. In another bowl, whisk an egg until well beaten. Set aside. In a third bowl, place the flour. Set aside.
2. Place the chicken fillets between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them with a rolling pin or another blunt object until they are even thick. Season the chicken fillet with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. You can also add garlic powder or onion powder for more flavor. Next, dip the chicken in flour and make sure it is fully coated.
3. Coat the fillet with the egg mixture, then cover it with the panko crumbs.
4. Place the chicken in the air fryer and cook at 190C/380F for 10- 15 minutes. You can also bake or fry the chicken instead.
5. While the chicken cooks prepare the salad. Chop lettuce, tomatoes, Jalapeños and add them to a bowl. Next, slice an avocado, dice red onions and add them to the bowl.
6. Once the chicken is ready carefully remove it from the air fryer. Slice it diagonally then add it to the salad bowl. Sprinkle grated parmesan on top and drizzle your favorite dressing or rich tomato relish over the easy crispy chicken salad and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Sprinkle grated parmesan on top and serve it with any dressing of your choice for more flavor. Some popular dressings are garlic and herb, honey mustard and ranch.
It is usually served warm or at room temperature.
To keep the salad crisp and fresh, you can follow these tips: use less salt, add the dressing only when you are ready to eat, and pat the salad ingredients dry before mixing them.
Refrigerate the chicken separately from the salad in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Allow the chicken to come to room temp or reheat it in the air fryer or microwave before serving. Add the dressing and parmesan when you are ready to serve. The salad can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. Let it come to room temperature before serving with the chicken.
More Tasty Salad Recipes
Easy Crispy Chicken Salad
Equipment
- 1 Saucepan or Airfryer
- 1 Chefs knife
Ingredients
- 1 chicken fillet
- ÂĽ cup panko
- ÂĽ cup flour
- 1 egg
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 2 teaspoon of olive oil
- 1 romain heart lettuce chopped
- 1 cup of cherry tomatoes halved
- 2 jalapeño chopped
- ½-1 avocado sliced
- ÂĽ red onion diced
- 1 tablespoon of grated parmesan
- Garlic herb dressing or any other dressing of your choice
Instructions
- Mix panko, oil, salt, and paprika in a bowl. Whisk an egg in another bowl. Put flour in a third bowl.
- Place the chicken fillets between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them with a rolling pin or another blunt object until they are even in thickness. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and optional spices. Coat with flour, then egg, then panko.
- Air-fry chicken at 190C/380F for 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, bake or fry it.
- Chop lettuce, tomatoes, jalapeños and add to a bowl. Slice avocado and dice onion and add to the bowl.
- Slice cooked chicken and add to the salad. Sprinkle parmesan and dressing on top. Enjoy!
Video
Kim
This was a great salad that came together quickly. Loved the crispy chicken and the jalapeños added a nice kick.
Marta
I loved how much crunch the panko breadcrumbs gave this chicken salad. I've made it twice this week. It's so easy and filling that it's going to be a regular lunch for me and the family.
Brittany F
This is being added to my favorites! The added jalapeño adds a kick of heat that is so appetizing.
Robin
I have a weakness for crispy anything, so I had to try this chicken. I baked it to maintain maximum crispiness, and the results were amazing.
Marcus Avery Christon
This salad was so easy to make! I have to admit it was hard for me to not eat all the crispy chicken before placing it atop all the other salad ingredients. Luckily I managed to save a few pieces! So good!
Kaluhi
Listen, I dream about this salad every day and decided to make it 2-4 times a week. I work from home and it is my go-to lunch. Who says salads have to be boring??? This is my favorite salad hands down! I love the fresh flavors, the juicy, crispy chicken and the creaminess of both the dressing and avo.
Jen Sim
Thanks for your kind words, Kalhui! I am so glad that you enjoyed this salad as much as I did and added it to your lunch menu! 🙂
Kanyi
That chicken salad looks so good!
Kate
I love a good chicken salad and I can't tell you enough how much I loved it! Crispy, fresh, and delicious, just the way I like it.
Jen Sim
The panko crust was everything!
Geo
Easy and delicious is an understatement. I loved that the chicken was made in the air fryer and can’t wait to use it in other recipes! I loved the addition of Parmesan cheese on the finished salad.
Jen Sim
Thanks, Geo! I agree, the air fryer makes life so much easier.
Jazz
This salad is so light and easy to make I loved it for lunch. The chicken is perfectly crunchy!
Jen Sim
It's a new favorite. Thanks!
Camille
Your Easy Crispy Chicken Salad is an absolute game-changer for my lunch routine! The combination of the perfectly crispy chicken, the vibrant veggies, and that tangy dressing took my taste buds on a wild ride. I followed your instructions step by step, and the result was pure salad perfection. Thanks for sharing such a delicious and fuss-free recipe— xx
Bianca Dottin
This was amazing! I usually eat salads for lunch and I tried this over the weekend. It was a huge hit. I’ll definitely be making this again.