Best 8 Crispy Hot Chicken Salad Recipes

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Crispy Hot Chicken Salad: A Culinary Symphony of Flavors

Indulge in a tantalizing culinary journey with our crispy hot chicken salad, an irresistible dish that marries the fiery zest of crispy chicken with the refreshing crunch of crisp greens. This salad is a symphony of flavors and textures, featuring succulent chicken coated in a secret blend of spices, pan-fried to perfection, and served atop a bed of crisp lettuce, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and avocado. Drizzled with a tangy dressing made from honey, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar, this salad delivers a delightful balance of sweet, savory, and tangy notes. With its vibrant colors, tantalizing aromas, and symphony of flavors, this crispy hot chicken salad promises an unforgettable dining experience.

**Recipes Included in Article:**

1. **Crispy Hot Chicken:** Learn the art of creating perfectly crispy chicken coated in a secret blend of spices, resulting in a tantalizingly flavorful and irresistibly crunchy protein.

2. **Honey Dijon Dressing:** Discover the secrets of crafting a harmonious dressing that combines the sweetness of honey, the tanginess of Dijon mustard, and the acidity of apple cider vinegar, creating a perfect complement to the crispy chicken and crisp greens.

3. **Assembling the Salad:** Uncover the techniques for assembling a visually appealing and flavor-packed salad, layering crispy chicken, crisp lettuce, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and avocado, then drizzling the tangy honey Dijon dressing over the top.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

CRISPY CHICKEN SALAD



Crispy Chicken Salad image

Check out our favorite Crispy Chicken Salad with an easy (five-ingredient) honey BBQ dressing. You can make this salad in 25 minutes or less with a few shortcuts!

Provided by Chelsea Lords

Categories     Main Course     Salad

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups store-bought crispy chicken strips, (sliced (Note 1))
8 cups (~2 hearts) chopped romaine ((chopped into bite-sized pieces))
1 cup cherry tomatoes, (halved)
1 cup Persian or English cucumber, (thinly sliced (Note 2))
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion ((Note 3))
1 large (or 2 medium) ripe avocados, (thinly sliced or chopped)
Optional: 1/3 cup honey-roasted or plain toasted almonds ((Note 4))
2 tablespoons of EACH good-quality BBQ sauce and honey
1/4 cup regular full-fat mayo
1 tablespoon of EACH Dijon mustard and apple cider vinegar
Fine sea salt and freshly cracked pepper

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 479 kcal, ServingSize 4 servings (as a meal), Carbohydrate 20.5 g, Protein 25.6 g, Fat 33.1 g, Cholesterol 58.7 mg, Sodium 1147.7 mg, Fiber 2.6 g, Sugar 3.8 g

CRISPY HOT CHICKEN SALAD



Crispy Hot Chicken Salad image

Creamy veggies and chicken topped with potato chip crunch? Your whole family just might swoon. I make this delicious meal for mine often. Bonus: The prep is quick and easy! -Bernice Knutson, Danbury, Iowa

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 package (9 ounces) frozen diced cooked chicken breast, thawed
2 cups thinly sliced celery
1 can (8 ounces) sliced water chestnuts, drained
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1/3 cup chopped green pepper
1 jar (2 ounces) diced pimientos, drained
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
2/3 cup shredded Swiss cheese, divided
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups crushed potato chips

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the chicken, celery, water chestnuts, almonds, green pepper, pimientos, onion and 1/3 cup cheese. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice and salt. Stir into chicken mixture and toss to coat. , Transfer to a greased 8-in. square baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20 minutes. , Sprinkle with potato chips and remaining cheese. Bake 10-15 minutes longer or until heated through and cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 826 calories, Fat 68g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 75mg cholesterol, Sodium 1021mg sodium, Carbohydrate 31g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 25g protein.

CRISPY CHICKEN SALAD WITH YUMMY HONEY MUSTARD DRESSING



Crispy Chicken Salad with Yummy Honey Mustard Dressing image

We drizzled Jillena's 5-star-rated Yummy Honey Mustard Dressing over a bed of fresh greens and air-fried chicken strips to create this flavorful main dish salad. Chill dressing, covered, up to 1 week. Makes about 1 1/3 cups dressing.

Provided by coweed

Time 40m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 19

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 ½ cups panko bread crumbs
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
cooking spray
½ cup all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons water
1 ½ pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
8 cups mixed spring salad greens
2 large carrots, peeled and sliced diagonally
1 cup sliced radishes
¾ cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
3 tablespoons honey
4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon lemon juice

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 560.2 calories, Carbohydrate 43 g, Cholesterol 137.1 mg, Fat 32.3 g, Fiber 3.2 g, Protein 31.8 g, SaturatedFat 5.5 g, Sodium 679.9 mg, Sugar 11.2 g

HOT CHICKEN SALAD RECIPE



Hot Chicken Salad Recipe image

Hot, hot, hot! Southern-favorite chicken salad gets a baked twist in this delicious new recipe. Our hot chicken salad takes the classic combination of chicken, mayo, and celery and adds a tasty explosion of flavors. Pour in measures of pimientos, mushrooms, water chestnuts, and potato chips; combine it all; and send it into an oven preheated to 350. There it will begin to bubble as it combines into a savory dip-style casserole. In this recipe, it's not just the flavors that are new. This hot chicken salad also adds a craveable dose of texture and crunch thanks to the additions of water chestnuts, slivered almonds, and crisp potato chips. Yum and yum. It's not all crunch, though. This recipe also brings to the table the classic chicken-salad creaminess we've come to know and love-that's thanks to the cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream, plus a good pour of fresh lemon juice for a tart touch. We love it. Add this one to your recipe box, stat.

Provided by Southern Living Editors

Categories     Casserole

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/2 cup slivered almonds
4 cups chopped cooked chicken
4 1/2 ounces sliced mushrooms, drained
2 cups sliced celery
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped pimiento, drained
8 ounces sliced water chestnuts, drained
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup + 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
1 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup potato chips, crushed
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Bake slivered almonds in a shallow pan at 350° for 5 to 10 minutes or until toasted.
  • Stir together almonds, chicken, onion, celery, pimiento, water chestnuts, mushrooms, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Stir together 1 cup Cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, and lemon juice until blended; stir into chicken mixture.
  • In a small bowl, Stir together 1 cup Cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, and lemon juice until blended; add into chicken mixture to combine.
  • Spread into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish; sprinkle with remaining 1 cup Cheddar cheese, potato chip crumbs, and Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

HOT CHICKEN SALAD



Hot Chicken Salad image

This quintessential American casserole epitomizes timeless comfort food. The "hot" in this chicken salad refers to temperature, not spice. This casserole takes the components of a classic chicken salad, tops it off with crunchy classic potato chips and bakes in the oven until warmed through. While the filling and toppings vary by region and recipe, the main ingredients, like the version here, include cooked chicken, celery, mayonnaise, grated cheese and slivered almonds. You can poach your own chicken or save time and use a cut up rotisserie or poached chicken. Hot chicken salad does precisely what is asked of a casserole: to soothe, lift up and spread joy.

Provided by Naz Deravian

Time 1h

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 pounds cooked chicken, cut into 1-inch pieces
5 large celery stalks, cut into 1/2-inch slices at an angle
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup grated sharp Cheddar (3 ounces)
1/2 cup slivered almonds
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon onion salt
Salt and black pepper
4 cups potato chips (classic or ruffled), lightly crushed, plus more as needed

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees with a rack positioned in the center.
  • Place the chicken, celery, mayonnaise, Cheddar, almonds, lemon juice and onion salt in a large bowl and mix to combine well. Taste for seasoning, and add salt and pepper as needed. The amount will depend on how seasoned your chicken is.
  • Transfer the chicken mixture to a 3-quart (9-by-13-inch) shallow baking dish. Spread it out evenly and top with the crushed potato chips. Add more chips if needed to cover the top.
  • Bake uncovered until the chips are golden brown and the mixture is warmed through and bubbling lightly at the bottom, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

CRISPY WONTON CHICKEN SALAD



Crispy Wonton Chicken Salad image

This dynamic chicken salad, starring crispy strips of fried wonton wrappers, draws inspiration from the wonton chicken salad at the soup and salad buffet chain Sweet Tomatoes, as well as the American Chinese chicken salads that pervaded chain-restaurant menus throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. In a supporting role, letting the crispy wontons shine, is the punchy dressing of peach preserves, rice vinegar, sesame oil and chili powder. The dressing's low oil content - plus the addition of mayonnaise, which helps create an emulsion - means the salad greens stay crunchy and keep for longer. For the chicken, you can use any leftover meat or tear pieces from a store-bought rotisserie bird.

Provided by Eric Kim

Categories     salads and dressings, main course

Time 20m

Yield 2 to 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

3 tablespoons rice vinegar
3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons peach or apricot preserves
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Salt
8 ounces cooked chicken meat, torn into bite-size pieces (2 cups)
8 wonton wrappers (see Tip)
Vegetable oil, for frying
Salt
2 romaine hearts, coarsely chopped
4 scallions, coarsely chopped
1 packed cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro leaves with tender stems
1 packed cup coarsely chopped fresh mint leaves

Steps:

  • Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the vinegar, sesame oil, peach preserves, mayonnaise, soy sauce, chili powder and onion powder, and season to taste with salt.
  • Prepare the salad: Add the chicken to the dressing and toss.
  • To fry the wonton wrappers, cut the squares into 1/2-inch strips, then cut those strips in half crosswise to shorten them. In a medium saucepan, heat an inch of oil over medium to 350 degrees, or until a wonton strip immediately bubbles when added. Carefully add the wonton strips to the hot oil and, stirring constantly with a slotted spoon, fry until puffy and golden, 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Transfer the crispy wontons to a paper towel-lined plate and season with salt.
  • Assemble the salad: Add the chopped romaine, scallions, cilantro, mint and half of the fried wontons to the bowl with the dressed chicken, and toss to combine. Season with salt as needed. Top with the remaining fried wontons and serve immediately.

HOT CHICKEN SALAD I



Hot Chicken Salad I image

This dish is a favorite at potlucks.

Provided by Amy Brolsma

Categories     Salad

Time 1h10m

Yield 7

Number Of Ingredients 9

4 cups diced, cooked chicken meat
2 cups chopped celery
4 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped onion
1 cup almonds
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded American cheese
2 cups crushed cornflakes cereal

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F ( 165 degrees ).
  • Mix together chicken, celery, lemon juice, chopped onion, toasted almonds, mayonnaise, sour cream, and grated cheese and place mixture in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with crushed corn flakes.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 636.1 calories, Carbohydrate 15.7 g, Cholesterol 103.5 mg, Fat 50.6 g, Fiber 3.2 g, Protein 31.6 g, SaturatedFat 13.1 g, Sodium 573.8 mg, Sugar 3.1 g

CRISPY CHICKEN SALAD



Crispy Chicken Salad image

Sugared almonds and chow mein noodles add fun crunch to this salad that makes the most of leftover chicken. Says Irene Dickhausen from St. Paul, Minnesota, "This salad is speedy, simple and always popular at ladies' luncheons."

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 20m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup sliced almonds
3 tablespoons sugar, divided
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash hot pepper sauce
4 cups chopped lettuce
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
1-1/2 cups chow mein noodles
1 can (20 ounces) unsweetened pineapple tidbits, drained and patted dry
1 cup chopped celery
1 green onion, chopped

Steps:

  • In a small skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add almonds; cook and stir for 3-4 minutes or until toasted. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar; cook and stir 2-3 minutes longer or until sugar is melted. Spread on foil to cool. , For dressing, in a small bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar, salt, hot pepper sauce and remaining sugar. , In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, chicken, noodles, pineapple, celery and onion. Pour dressing over salad; toss to coat. Break apart sugared almonds; sprinkle over salad.

Nutrition Facts :

Tips:

  • For the chicken, use a combination of white and dark meat for the best flavor.
  • Make sure the chicken is cooked thoroughly before shredding it.
  • Use a light hand when mixing the salad so the chicken doesn't get over-mixed and tough.
  • Serve the salad immediately after making it for the best flavor.

Conclusion:

This crispy hot chicken salad is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. The combination of crispy chicken, crunchy vegetables, and creamy dressing is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a satisfying and flavorful salad, give this recipe a try.

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