Transform your mealtime with this incredible Crispy Chicken Salad! Featuring golden-brown crispy chicken, a vibrant medley of fresh vegetables, and the absolute best five-ingredient Honey BBQ Dressing, this recipe is incredibly fast, easy, and utterly delicious. It’s destined to become a new favorite in your rotation.

Crispy Chicken Salad drizzled with delicious Honey BBQ dressing in a large bowl, ready to be served. — A perfectly assembled Crispy Chicken Salad, drizzled with our signature Honey BBQ dressing.

Contents

Crispy Chicken Salad: A Flavorful and Easy Meal Solution

I simply cannot express how much I adore this salad—it truly stands out as one of my all-time favorite recipes! Many of you loved my Applebee’s Chicken Salad, and that enthusiasm inspired me to create another show-stopping crispy chicken creation. This version is designed to be even simpler, packed with fresh garden-variety goodness, and topped with a dressing that will have you coming back for more.

This salad is brimming with crisp, fresh vegetables like juicy tomatoes, cool cucumber, sharp red onion, and creamy avocado. For that essential textural contrast, we add perfectly roasted almonds, which deliver a delightful crunch in every bite. It’s a complete meal that feels both indulgent and remarkably fresh.

But let’s be honest, while the crispy chicken and fresh veggies are fantastic, the true hero of this dish is undoubtedly the Honey BBQ Dressing. It’s a masterful blend of creamy, tangy, and subtly sweet flavors that truly elevates the entire salad. This dressing isn’t just good; it’s hands-down the best, binding all the diverse elements together into a harmonious and incredibly satisfying experience.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Crispy Chicken Salad

There are countless reasons to make this Crispy Chicken Salad your next meal, but here are a few that truly make it shine:

Unbeatable Flavor Profile: The combination of savory crispy chicken, vibrant fresh vegetables, and the sweet-tangy Honey BBQ dressing creates a symphony of flavors that’s exciting with every forkful.
Texture Heaven: From the crunch of the crispy chicken and almonds to the crisp romaine and creamy avocado, this salad offers a diverse and satisfying textural experience.
Effortlessly Delicious: With smart shortcuts and straightforward steps, you can have this restaurant-quality salad on your table in under 30 minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or a quick, impressive lunch.
Fresh and Wholesome: Loaded with nutrient-rich vegetables, it’s a fantastic way to enjoy a healthy meal without compromising on taste.
Customizable: Easily adapt the vegetables or add extra toppings to suit your preference, making it a versatile base for culinary creativity.

Prepped ingredients for Crispy Chicken Salad laid out: crisp lettuce, halved tomatoes, sliced avocado, thinly sliced red onion, sliced cucumber, and roasted almonds. — All the fresh, vibrant ingredients that make up this delightful Crispy Chicken Salad.

Key Ingredients for the Perfect Crispy Chicken Salad

Crafting this stellar salad starts with choosing quality ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to create this delicious meal:

Crispy Chicken: The foundation of this salad! You can opt for convenience with high-quality frozen crispy chicken tenders or make your own homemade version. For optimal crispiness, bake or air fry them, avoiding the microwave. Dice them into bite-sized pieces once slightly cooled.
Romaine Lettuce: This classic salad base offers a refreshing crunch. Ensure you chop it into small, manageable pieces and thoroughly dry it after washing. This crucial step allows the dressing to adhere beautifully, preventing a watery salad.
Cherry Tomatoes: These sweet and juicy gems add a burst of color and flavor. Halving them makes for easy, perfect bites, distributing their sweetness evenly throughout the salad.
English or Persian Cucumber: Known for their crisp texture and mild flavor, these varieties are ideal as they don’t require peeling. Simply slice them thinly to add a refreshing coolness to the mix. For extra wide cucumbers, consider slicing them into half moons for better texture.
Red Onion: A touch of red onion brings a zesty, pungent kick. To mellow its sharp bite, a simple trick is to soak the thinly sliced onion in cold water for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, then drain thoroughly before adding to your salad.
Avocado: Essential for its creamy texture and rich, buttery flavor. Choose an avocado that is ripe yet firm; this ensures it slices cleanly and holds its shape within the salad without becoming mushy.
Almonds: For that irresistible crunch, add either honey-roasted almonds for a sweet and savory note, or plain toasted almonds for a nutty, earthy complement. They provide a fantastic textural contrast to the softer ingredients.

Ingredients for Crispy Chicken Salad dressing: honey, BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and mayonnaise, prepped for easy mixing. — The five simple ingredients that come together to create our phenomenal Honey BBQ Dressing.

Crafting the Irresistible Honey BBQ Dressing

The Honey BBQ Dressing is more than just a topping; it’s the heart and soul of this Crispy Chicken Salad. Its unique balance of flavors pulls everything together. Here’s a breakdown of the key components:

BBQ Sauce: Provides that signature smoky, savory, and slightly sweet base flavor. Choose your favorite brand for the best results.
Honey: Adds natural sweetness that beautifully balances the tanginess of the BBQ sauce and vinegar, creating a well-rounded flavor profile.
Mayonnaise: The secret to the dressing’s luxurious creaminess and thick consistency. It emulsifies the ingredients, ensuring a smooth, rich texture.
Dijon Mustard: Introduces a subtle tang and a slight peppery “zip” that adds depth and complexity to the dressing without overpowering other flavors.
Apple Cider Vinegar: A vital ingredient for thinning the dressing slightly to the perfect pouring consistency, while also contributing a bright, acidic tang that cuts through the richness.
Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and bring forth all the individual flavors, making the dressing truly pop.

To prepare the dressing, simply whisk all these ingredients together in a bowl or shake them in a jar until completely smooth and well combined. A generous pinch of salt and pepper ensures the flavors are perfectly balanced. This dressing is so good, you might want to make extra to keep on hand for other salads or as a dipping sauce!

Shaking Honey BBQ dressing ingredients together in a mason jar for the Crispy Chicken Salad. — Mixing the Honey BBQ dressing is as simple as shaking it in a mason jar.

Smart Shortcuts for a Speedy Crispy Chicken Salad

One of the best features of this Crispy Chicken Salad is how quickly it comes together, especially with a few clever shortcuts. While I don’t often buy prepared crispy chicken tenders, they are a fantastic time-saver for this recipe. Publications like Taste of Home® frequently feature great lists of top picks.

For this particular salad, I often reach for Tyson® crispy chicken strips (this is not a sponsored mention, just a personal preference). The key is how you cook them: always opt to bake or air fry them. Resist the urge to microwave, as it will inevitably result in soggy chicken, compromising the “crispy” in our Crispy Chicken Salad. Once cooked to golden perfection, let them cool slightly, then dice them into uniform pieces before adding them to your salad. This ensures every bite has that satisfying crunch.

If you prefer homemade crispy chicken, preparing a batch ahead of time on the weekend can make weekday salad assembly even faster. Simply cook and cool your chicken, then store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Crispy chicken strips cooking to perfection in an air fryer for the Crispy Chicken Salad. — Achieve perfect crispiness by air frying your chicken tenders.

What to Serve with This Salad

This Crispy Chicken Salad is hearty enough to be a complete meal on its own, but if you’re looking to round out your dinner or entertain guests, here are some excellent pairing suggestions:

Warm Soup: A light yet comforting soup provides a wonderful contrast. A cup of classic chicken noodle soup or a hearty pasta soup would be a delightful accompaniment, especially on a cooler evening.
Fresh Fruit Salad: For a refreshing balance, a vibrant fruit salad offers a light, fresh, and naturally sweet finish to your meal.
Sweet Potato Fries or Roasted Cubes: The slight sweetness and earthiness of sweet potatoes pair beautifully with the BBQ flavors of the dressing. Serve them as classic sweet potato fries or try these crispy cubed roasted sweet potatoes.
Fluffy Cornbread: For a soft, slightly sweet bite on the side, a slice of warm cornbread complements the salad wonderfully, adding a touch of comfort food goodness.
Pasta Salad: If you’re serving a crowd and desire more variety or a heartier spread, a vibrant pasta salad like corn, zucchini, and avocado pasta salad is an excellent choice.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips for Crispy Chicken Salad

While this salad is best enjoyed freshly dressed, you can absolutely prep most components ahead of time to make assembly a breeze:

Dressing: Prepare the Honey BBQ Dressing up to 5–7 days in advance. Whisk all ingredients, then store it in an airtight jar (like a mason jar) in the refrigerator. Remember to give it a good stir or shake before drizzling.
Veggies: Chop your romaine, cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion. Store each vegetable in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. Soaking the red onion as described above can also be done ahead of time.
Crispy Chicken: Cook and dice your crispy chicken tenders. Allow them to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. For best results, reheat slightly in an air fryer or oven right before serving to revive their crispness.
When Ready to Eat: The key to a fresh-tasting salad is to assemble it just before serving. At mealtime, simply air fry or bake your chicken, slice your avocado, then combine all the prepped veggies and chicken in a large bowl. Drizzle with the pre-made dressing, toss gently to combine, and serve immediately. Remember, dressed salad doesn’t store well, so only dress the portion you plan to consume right away.

Crispy Chicken Salad: Variations and Customizations

This Crispy Chicken Salad recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing for numerous substitutions and additions to suit your taste or what you have on hand. Don’t hesitate to get creative!

Different Greens: While romaine is fantastic, feel free to swap it out for mixed greens, spinach, kale, or a spring mix for a different texture and nutritional profile.
Add More Veggies: Boost the nutritional value and flavor with extra vegetables. Corn, bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), shredded carrots, black beans, or even pickled jalapeños for a kick would all be excellent additions.
Alternative Proteins: If crispy chicken isn’t what you’re craving, consider grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken (shredded), pan-seared tofu, or even hard-boiled eggs for a different protein source.
Crunch Factor Alternatives: Instead of almonds, try toasted pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, crispy fried onions, or even crushed tortilla chips for an extra layer of crunch.
Cheese Please!: Shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a sprinkle of crumbled feta or blue cheese can add another dimension of flavor.
Spice It Up: A dash of cayenne pepper or a pinch of red pepper flakes in the dressing can give it a little extra heat if you like things spicy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Crispy Chicken Salad

Can I make this salad ahead of time?: Yes, partially! You can prepare the dressing and chop all the vegetables (except avocado) and chicken in advance and store them separately. Assemble and dress the salad right before serving to maintain freshness and crispness.
What’s the best way to get crispy chicken?: Baking or air frying frozen or homemade chicken tenders yields the best crispy results. Follow package directions for frozen chicken, usually around 15-20 minutes at 400°F (200°C) in an oven or 10-15 minutes in an air fryer. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.
Can I use grilled chicken instead of crispy chicken?: Absolutely! While the “crispy” in the name highlights a key texture, grilled chicken makes for a delicious and lighter alternative. Simply slice or dice your cooked grilled chicken and add it to the salad.
How long does the Honey BBQ Dressing last?: Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, the dressing will stay fresh for 5-7 days. Always give it a good shake or stir before each use.
What kind of BBQ sauce should I use?: Use your favorite brand of BBQ sauce! Whether you prefer smoky, sweet, or a little spicy, the flavor profile of your chosen sauce will shine through in the dressing, so pick one you love.

More Delicious Salad Recipes to Try

If you’re a fan of fresh, vibrant salads, you’ll love these other recipes:

Quinoa Salad with Avocado: A hearty and healthy grain-based salad packed with fresh flavors.
Healthy Italian Salad with Herb Dressing: A classic with a fresh twist, featuring a zesty homemade herb dressing.
Chickpea Salad with Cucumbers and Tomatoes: A protein-rich vegetarian option that’s both satisfying and refreshing.
Panzanella Salad with Balsamic Dressing: A rustic Tuscan bread salad perfect for using up ripe tomatoes and stale bread.
Orzo Pasta Salad with Lemon Dressing: A light and flavorful pasta salad, ideal for potlucks or as a side dish.

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5 from 7 votes

Crispy Chicken Salad

By
Chelsea Lords

Crispy Chicken Salad is the move tonight. Easy shortcuts, bold flavor, and the absolute best honey BBQ dressing.

Prep Time:

7 minutes

Cook Time:

18 minutes

Total Time:

25 minutes

Servings:

3
servings (as a meal)

Video

Equipment

Large bowl

Ingredients

Chicken

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2 cups frozen crispy chicken strips diced, see note 1

Salad

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8 cups chopped romaine lettuce 2 hearts, cut to bite-size pieces
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1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
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1 cup English cucumber thinly sliced, see note 2
▢
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion see note 3
▢
1 large (or 2 medium) ripe avocados chopped
▢
1/3 cup honey-roasted almonds or plain toasted almonds, optional

Honey BBQ Dressing

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2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
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2 tablespoons honey
▢
1/4 cup mayo
▢
1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
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1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
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Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken: Cook chicken strips according to package directions. For maximum crispiness, use an oven or air fryer. Let the cooked chicken cool slightly, then dice it into bite-sized pieces.
2. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together all the Honey BBQ dressing ingredients. Add a generous pinch of salt and pepper, then whisk until completely smooth. If you’re not using it immediately, store the dressing in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 5–7 days. Remember to stir before serving.
3. Assemble the Salad Base: Wash the romaine lettuce thoroughly and, crucially, dry it completely (wet lettuce prevents dressing from sticking). Add the dried lettuce to a large salad bowl or divide it among individual plates.
4. Add Toppings and Serve: Top the lettuce with the prepared tomatoes, cucumber, red onion (remember to soak if desired), freshly sliced avocado, and the diced crispy chicken. Drizzle generously with the Honey BBQ dressing, toss gently to combine all ingredients, and serve immediately for the best experience. Only dress the portion you plan to eat right away, as dressed salad doesn’t store well.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Crispy Chicken Selection I prefer Tyson® Crispy Chicken Strips; they typically cook in about 18 minutes in a conventional oven or 15 minutes in an Air Fryer. However, any brand of store-bought crispy tenders or even homemade ones will work perfectly here. Ensure they are cooked until golden and crispy.

Note 2: Cucumber Slicing Tip: If your English or Persian cucumber is particularly wide, slicing it into half moons can enhance the texture and make for easier eating within the salad.

Note 3: Mellowing Red Onion: To reduce the characteristic sharp bite of red onion, thinly slice it and soak the slices in a bowl of cold water for 10 minutes. Stir once or twice during this time, then drain thoroughly before adding them to your salad. This simple step makes the onion much milder.

Storage: Dressed salad does not store well as the lettuce can become soggy. If you are making this salad ahead or anticipate having leftovers, always store the salad components (chicken, veggies, and dressing) separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Assemble and dress individual portions just before eating for optimal freshness and crunch.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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