Crispy Chicken Salad for Side Dish or Meal

Servings: 2 to 4 This will depend on this being a side salad or a meal.

Ingredients for Chicken Salad

  • 1 – 2 pounds chicken breast or tenders cut into 1/ 2” to 1” strips (use as much chicken as you want)
  • 1 1/ 2 cups Italian style breadcrumbs
  • 1/ 2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/ 4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
  • 2 cups shredded spinach (remove stem pieces)
  • 1 cucumber (thinly sliced and cut in half)
  • 3/ 4 cup shredded carrot
  • 1/ 2 cup cherry tomatoes (any kind cut in half)
  • 1/ 2 cup unsalted cashew pieces (optional)
  • 1/ 2 cup dried cranberries (optional)
  • 1/ 4 red onion (thin slices cut in half) or you can use 1/ 4 cup green onions

Directions for Cooking the Chicken

Combine the breadcrumbs, salt and pepper in a bowl. Hand beat the eggs in another bowl. Dip the chicken in the eggs then press the chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, make sure the mixture sticks.

Heat the vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until they are golden brown and crisp, about 3 minutes per side. Watch the heat, if it gets to hot adjust it down a little.

When the chicken is cooked, transfer to a plate that is lined with paper towels to drain.

Note: You can also use a deep fryer if you have one. It will take quite a few minutes to cook this way as well.

Making Your Plate of Crispy Chicken Salad

In a large bowl, toss the greens together then divide among the plates.

Sprinkle the shredded carrots, dried cranberries and cashew pieces over the greens then add the onion and tomatoes.

Add the crispy chicken pieces on top of all those healthy goodies on your plate.

Then top with your favorite dressing and enjoy your salad.

There are so many variations of a crispy chicken salad. What do you add to your salad?