Homemade Crispy Chicken Salad: Juicy Panko Chicken with Zesty Sriracha Honey BBQ Dressing

Discover how to create a truly exceptional crispy chicken salad, generously drizzled with our signature Sriracha Honey BBQ dressing! Each bite features perfectly juicy and tender chicken tenders encased in a satisfyingly crispy panko crust. This easy-to-make crispy chicken salad is guaranteed to become a new family favorite!

Kick off your week, or any day for that matter, with a meal that defies expectations: a truly phenomenal crispy chicken salad. This isn’t just any salad; it’s the one I couldn’t stop raving about on Instagram, promising it would hit your tables soon. And here it is, ready to transform your perception of what a salad can be.

This salad is a game-changer for several compelling reasons:

It brings unparalleled freshness to your plate.
It features succulent, homemade crispy chicken tenders, far superior to anything store-bought.
It’s generously loaded with a dressing so addictive, you’ll want to put it on everything.
Perhaps most importantly, it’s a salad so satisfying, it’s sure to win over even the staunchest salad skeptics in your life, including those who usually shy away from greens.

What truly sets this dish apart is its bold departure from traditional salad norms. Forget the usual lean greens, low-calorie toppings, or bland grilled proteins. Our crispy chicken salad is an entirely different culinary adventure. It begins with tender, homemade breaded chicken tenders, fried to golden perfection. These are then layered atop a vibrant bed of crisp romaine lettuce, complemented by creamy slices of fresh avocado, a burst of sweetness from sun-ripened cherry tomatoes, and a subtle zing from finely shaved red onions. But the real magic happens with the final flourish: a generous, perhaps even indulgent, drizzle of my homemade Sriracha Honey BBQ dressing. The result is a homemade crispy chicken salad that not only tastes incredible but also feels like a gourmet experience, vastly superior to any fast-food alternative.

This is a real salad, designed for real people who might be feeling genuinely burnt out on monotonous meal routines. If you’re nodding along, then you’re definitely feeling my drift here!

Rediscovering Lunch and Dinner: A Cure for Salad Fatigue

It’s easy for lunches and dinners to fall into a rut. We often aim for lighter options during midday, perhaps a salad of some sort. However, when you commit to salads 365 days a year, they can quickly become monotonous. To inject some excitement back into our meal rotation, I devised this crispy chicken salad, crowned with its irresistible Sriracha Honey BBQ dressing. And let me tell you, it worked like a charm!

This salad is not just satisfying thanks to its abundant crispy chicken chunks; it’s also elevated by the most addictive dressing you’ll ever taste. The inclusion of crisp iceberg lettuce adds another layer of crunch, while a handful of sliced almonds provides a delightful textural contrast and nutty flavor. In our household, my partner Anees regularly requests the Sriracha Honey BBQ dressing, and I wholeheartedly agree. We both find ourselves wanting to put it on just about everything!

It strikes the perfect culinary balance: a harmonious blend of spice, sweetness, and smoky BBQ goodness that tantalizes the taste buds without overpowering them. This dressing is truly a cornerstone of the salad’s unique appeal.

Crafting the Irresistible Sriracha Honey BBQ Dressing for Our Crispy Chicken Salad

This remarkable Sriracha Honey BBQ dressing plays a crucial dual role in our crispy chicken salad recipe. Firstly, it infuses the chicken tenders with incredible flavor as they marinate in buttermilk. Secondly, the remaining sauce transforms into the vibrant, zesty dressing that ties the entire salad together.

To prepare this phenomenal dressing, you’ll need a few pantry staples: your favorite quality BBQ sauce, golden honey for sweetness, sriracha for that signature kick, a touch of Dijon mustard for tang, creamy mayonnaise for richness, and a splash of apple cider vinegar to brighten the flavors. The best part? Simply combine all these ingredients in a bowl and whisk until smooth. No need for a blender or any fancy equipment!
Have you ever considered using mayonnaise to marinate meat or poultry? If not, prepare to be amazed! This is a treasured tip I learned from my mother, and it’s a secret ingredient in her legendary homemade Persian chicken kebabs. Mayonnaise works wonders by tenderizing the chicken to an unparalleled degree, ensuring it practically melts in your mouth with every bite. Since discovering this technique, I’ve incorporated it into many of my recipes, including my grilled chicken marinades and, of course, the crispy chicken tenders for today’s salad.
Many have compared my Sriracha Honey BBQ dressing to the popular sauce found at Chick-fil-A, but with one significant advantage: you can whip it up anytime you desire, even on Sundays! It offers that perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and subtly spicy notes that makes it utterly irresistible.

Mastering the “Crispy” in Crispy Chicken Salad: Essential Tips for Perfection

Achieving that coveted crispy exterior and tender, juicy interior for your chicken tenders is simpler than you might think. Here are some expert tips to ensure your crispy chicken salad is a resounding success:

Avoid Frying Cold Chicken Directly from the Fridge: While a quick 30-minute marinade might not require extensive warming, if your chicken has been marinating overnight in the refrigerator, it’s crucial to bring it closer to room temperature before frying. Allow the chicken to rest on the counter for at least 30 minutes before dredging and frying. Frying cold chicken can drastically lower the oil’s temperature, leading to uneven cooking and a less crispy crust.
Invest in a Cast Iron Skillet: My trusty cast iron skillet is an absolute workhorse in my kitchen. A thick, heavy skillet excels at retaining and distributing heat evenly, which is paramount for consistently fried chicken. You absolutely do not need a deep fryer for this recipe; in fact, I generally encourage avoiding them for home cooking. A good cast iron skillet provides superior results with less fuss.
Utilize a Digital Meat Thermometer: Eliminate guesswork and ensure food safety by using a digital meat thermometer. When frying the chicken tenders, make sure they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). Simply insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken, ensuring you go only halfway through. The chicken tenders typically take anywhere from 5 to 9 minutes to cook through, depending on their thickness. This small investment guarantees perfectly cooked, safe, and juicy chicken every time.
Choose Oils with a High Smoke Point: Olive oil, with its relatively low smoke point, is not suitable for frying chicken tenders. Instead, opt for oils that can withstand high heat without breaking down and imparting off-flavors. Excellent choices include peanut oil, canola oil, corn oil, or vegetable oil. These oils will provide the best results for a truly crispy and flavorful crust.

Why This Homemade Crispy Chicken Salad Will Become Your Go-To Meal

There are countless reasons to adore this homemade crispy chicken salad, making it an ideal choice for busy households and discerning palates alike:

Effortless Meal Prep and Freezing: One of the greatest advantages is the ease of preparation and the potential for future meals. You can effortlessly combine the chicken marinade ingredients in a zip-top bag, add your chicken tenders, and immediately freeze it. This ingenious method allows you to pull the bag out midweek, let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight, and have perfectly marinated chicken ready to cook the next day. The chicken tenderizes and absorbs flavor as it thaws, making for a truly convenient meal solution.
A Family-Pleasing Meal for All Ages: This salad is a rare gem that genuinely pleases both parents and children. We all know the struggle of getting kids to eat their greens. With this recipe, you can offer a few crispy, delicious chicken tenders and a dollop of that amazing homemade dressing on their plates, satisfying their preferences while you build a vibrant, wholesome salad for yourself. It’s a single meal solution that keeps everyone happy, eliminating the need to cook separate dishes.
Healthier and More Flavorful Than Store-Bought: Beyond the unparalleled taste, homemade chicken tenders are significantly healthier than their store-bought counterparts. You control the quality of ingredients, the type of oil used, and avoid any unwanted preservatives or excessive sodium. The fresh flavor and superior texture of homemade chicken are simply unmatched, making every bite a delight.

Seriously, this crispy chicken salad is the fresh, exciting, and utterly delicious meal you need in your life this week. It’s more than just a salad; it’s an experience!

Yield: 4-5 servings

Crispy Chicken Salad with Sriracha Honey BBQ Dressing

Learn how to make a crispy chicken salad that’s drizzled with sriracha honey bbq dressing! The chicken tenders are perfectly juicy and tender on the inside with that crispy panko crust on the outside. You’ll love this easy crispy chicken salad!

Ingredients

Dressing:

¼ cup EACH: honey AND bbq sauce
2 tablespoons EACH: dijon mustard AND apple cider vinegar
½ cup mayonnaise
1 – 3 teaspoons sriracha (or more to taste)

Chicken:

1 cup buttermilk
1 ½ pound boneless chicken tenders (or breasts)
¾ cup all-purpose flour (or whole wheat)
1 teaspoon EACH: garlic powder AND smoked paprika
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
2 eggs, whisked
1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
Peanut or canola oil, for frying

Salad:

1 cup cherry tomatoes
½ cup EACH: toasted sliced almonds AND sliced red onions
10-ounce romaine, chopped into small pieces
2 avocados, sliced

Instructions

DRESSING: Whisk the ingredients for the dressing along with a big pinch of salt and black pepper. Continue to whisk until you’ve got a smooth dressing.
MARINATE: Add the buttermilk, ¾ teaspoon of salt, a big pinch of black pepper and ⅓ cup of the prepared dressing to a bowl and stir to combine. Add the chicken tenders into the bowl and allow the chicken to marinate for 30 minutes (you can also marinate the chicken for up to 24 hours covered in the refrigerator.)
PREP: When you’re ready to cook the chicken, Combine the flour, garlic powder and the smoked paprika in a shallow baking dish, in another one, combine the panko and the parmesan cheese and set them side by side. We’re going to set up a dredging station. Start by removing a chicken tender from the marinade and allow the excess to drip off, then dredge the strip into the flour mixture, then the beaten egg, then the panko mixture and place the tenders on a clean baking sheet. Repeat with remaining tenders.
COOK: Add about an inch to an inch and half of the oil to a cast iron skillet (or anything you usually fry stuff in) and allow the oil to heat up on medium-high heat. Once then oil is hot, add a few tenders and allow them to fry for 5-9 minutes, flipping as required to cook the tenders all the way through. Remove to a plate lined with a paper towel and continue to fry until done. Slice the tenders into pieces or chop them up.
ASSEMBLE: Add the greens to a large bowl, top with cherry tomatoes, sliced onions, avocados, sliced almonds, and add the chicken on top. You can also just make individual bowls if you didn’t want to serve this family style. Drizzle with the dressing and serve immediately!

Notes

I suspect that you could possibly cook these tenders in an air fryer but I haven’t tried it so I can’t say with certainty! If you give it a try, would love to know how it went for you! Haven’t tried baking the chicken tenders so, unfortunately, not sure at all how that would go!

Have you made this recipe?

If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below. You can also share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #LITTLESPICEJAR, I’d love to see what you made!