Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Salad (Printable)

Golden chicken strips drizzled with spicy hot honey, served over crisp romaine with fresh vegetables and roasted seeds.

# What You Need:

→ Crispy Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 cup buttermilk
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
07 - 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
08 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
09 - Vegetable oil for frying

→ Hot Honey

10 - 1/3 cup honey
11 - 1 to 2 tablespoons hot sauce
12 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
13 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

→ Salad Base

14 - 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
15 - 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
16 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
17 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
18 - 1/3 cup roasted mixed seeds
19 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped

→ Dressing

20 - 1/4 cup olive oil
21 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
22 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
23 - 1 teaspoon honey
24 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Slice chicken breasts into strips. In a bowl, combine buttermilk, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Add chicken, toss to coat, and marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to overnight in the refrigerator.
02 - Place flour in one shallow dish and panko in another. Remove chicken from marinade, coating each piece first in flour, then in panko, pressing gently to adhere.
03 - Heat 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken strips in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
04 - In a small saucepan over low heat, combine honey, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Warm gently while stirring until just combined. Do not boil. Set aside.
05 - In a large bowl, combine chopped romaine, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and fresh herbs.
06 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
07 - Drizzle salad with prepared dressing and toss to combine. Top with crispy chicken strips, drizzle generously with hot honey, and sprinkle with roasted seeds. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The contrast between crispy golden chicken and that sweet-spicy honey drizzle creates something magical
  • This salad turns comfort food into something you can feel good about eating
02 -
  • Dont overcrowd your pan when frying the chicken or the oil temperature will drop and you'll end up with soggy coating
  • The hot honey needs to be warm but not hot when you drizzle it—too hot and it will wilt your greens instantly
03 -
  • Pat your chicken strips completely dry before marinating for the crispiest final result
  • Let your breaded chicken rest on a rack for 10 minutes before frying—this helps the coating set and prevents it from falling off in the oil
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