Description
Sticky chicken crunch salad delivers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and crispy textures. Juicy chicken pieces glazed with a savory sauce sit atop fresh greens, creating a delightful meal that will satisfy both lunch and dinner cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) frozen breaded chicken tenders or nuggets (4 to 8 tenders or 8 to 12 nuggets)
- 2 ounces (57 grams) sharp or medium cheddar cheese, finely diced
Salad Components:
- ½ medium iceberg lettuce head or 1 medium romaine lettuce heart, sliced into ¼-inch strips
- ½ cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 medium carrot, peeled into ribbons
- 1 ½ cups barbecue kettle-style potato chips, crushed
- 2 sprigs fresh dill, fronds picked (optional)
Sauce and Seasoning:
- ½ cup packed light or dark brown sugar
- ¼ cup Frank’s RedHot Original or Crystal hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (optional)
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning powder or ranch spice mix
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare chicken tenders or nuggets following the manufacturer’s recommended cooking method until golden and crispy.
- Create a tangy Buffalo glaze by whisking brown sugar, hot sauce, water, and melted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously until the sugar fully dissolves and the mixture becomes glossy and bubbling.
- Craft a creamy dressing by blending Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, and ranch seasoning in a mixing bowl, adjusting the liquid consistency with water as needed, and seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large salad bowl, gently toss crisp lettuce with half of the prepared dressing, ensuring even coating.
- Incorporate freshly chopped carrots, thinly sliced red onions, and ripe tomatoes into the dressed lettuce.
- Once the chicken is cooked, generously coat each piece with the vibrant Buffalo glaze, then slice into bite-sized morsels.
- Distribute the glazed chicken pieces evenly across the dressed salad.
- Enhance the salad’s texture and flavor by sprinkling diced cheese, crumbling crispy chips on top, and garnishing with delicate dill fronds.
- Finish by drizzling the remaining dressing over the salad for an extra burst of flavor.
Notes
- Kick off this flavor-packed adventure with crispy chicken tenders glazed in spicy Buffalo sauce for an unexpected salad twist.
- Transform ordinary weeknight dinner into a crunchy, zesty experience by layering bold ranch-style dressing with fresh, vibrant vegetables.
- Elevate your meal with strategic toppings like crushed chips and diced cheese that add irresistible texture and create a restaurant-worthy presentation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 565
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg