Best 5 Cool Crunchy Chicken Salad Recipes

CRISPY CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• CHICKEN: Start by preparing chicken tenders according to package directions. Let cool to warm and then thinly slice.
• SALAD: Chop the romaine, wash, and make sure it is thoroughly dried before adding to a large bowl (dressing won't adhere to wet lettuce). Add halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced cucumbers, sliced red onions, and sliced avocado to the bowl or place on individual plates. Add the sliced chicken on top. Drizzle with the dressing (see next step to prepare), toss to combine, and serve immediately.
• DRESSING: Whisk the ingredients for the dressing, along with a big pinch of salt and black pepper. Whisk until smooth. If not using immediately, transfer to a mason jar and refrigerate. (Leftovers stay good for 5-7 days).
• STORAGE: Dressed salad doesn't sit well, so if you want to have leftovers or make ahead, store the dressing separately from the salad.

CRUNCHY CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Melt butter in 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Stir in seasoning packet from noodles. Break block of noodles into bite-size pieces over skillet; stir noodles into butter mixture. Cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly; stir in sesame seed. Cook about 2 minutes longer, stirring constantly, until noodles are golden brown.
• Mix sugar, vinegar, oil and pepper in large bowl. Add remaining ingredients and noodle mixture; toss.

CRISPY CHICKEN SALAD WITH YUMMY HONEY MUSTARD DRESSING

Steps:

• Heat oil in an extra-large skillet over medium heat. Add panko and garlic powder. Cook, stirring, until toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a shallow dish and let cool, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in parsley.
• Coat an air fryer basket with cooking spray and preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Meanwhile, in another shallow dish, stir together flour, salt, and pepper. In a third shallow dish, whisk together eggs and water.
• Cut chicken breasts lengthwise into 1x3-inch strips. Dip chicken strips into flour mixture, then egg mixture, then panko mixture to coat.
• Working in batches, add chicken to the preheated air fryer. Cook, turning once, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest parts registers 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a plate; cover and keep warm.
• Toss together salad greens, carrots, and radishes in a large bowl.
• Stir mayonnaise, yellow mustard, honey, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice for dressing together in a small bowl.
• Divide salad among plates, top with chicken, and drizzle with dressing.

COLD NOODLE SALAD WITH SPICY PEANUT SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to the boil. Add the soba, stir to prevent sticking, and cook according to package instructions until just tender. Rinse under cold water until the noodles are completely cold.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter, soy sauce, maple syrup, lime juice, sesame oil, chile oil or hot sauce, and garlic. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and whisk until the sauce is a pourable consistency. Taste and add more chile oil or hot sauce as desired; set aside.
• Cut the zucchini or cucumber and radishes into 1/8-inch thick slices, then cut into thin matchsticks. Slice the peppers into 1/8-inch pieces. Place them all in a large bowl.
• Loosen the soba noodles by running them under some water, then allow to drain again. Add them to the vegetables, add the remaining 1 tablespoon sesame oil and toss to combine.
• When you are ready to serve, drizzle with spicy peanut sauce and top with peanuts, scallions and cilantro. Serve immediately, with lime wedges alongside.

CRUNCHY CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Half fill a medium wok or deep frying pan with water, sprinkle in half of the fish sauce and bring to the boil. Turn down the heat to a simmer, lower the chicken into the water and cover the pan with a lid. Simmer for 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Lift the chicken out of the water and leave until cool enough to handle.
• Meanwhile, mix the remaining fish sauce in a large bowl with the lime juice, sugar, pepper and chopped chilli. Tip in the cabbage, carrots and onion. Mix well.
• Shred the chicken and toss it into the salad with the herbs. Mix again, cover and leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours (overnight is ideal).
• To make the nuoc cham sauce, pound the garlic, chillies and caster sugar to a paste using a pestle and mortar. Mix in the fish sauce, vinegar and 6 tbsp water. (It will keep for up to 4 days in the fridge.)
• To serve, toss the salad, taste and add more sugar, if you like. Scatter mint leaves on each plates, pile the salad on top and sprinkle with peanuts. Serve with individual bowls of nuoc cham sauce to pour over.