– **Title**: Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Salad With Yogurt Dressing
– **Ingredients**:
– 2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
– 1 cup buttermilk
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1 tsp paprika
– 1 tsp garlic powder
– 1 tsp onion powder
– 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for spice level)
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Vegetable oil for frying
– 4 cups mixed greens (such as spinach, arugula, and romaine)
– 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
– 1/2 cucumber, sliced
– 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
– 1/4 cup honey
– 1 tbsp hot sauce (adjust to taste)
– 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 1 tbsp lemon juice
– **Instructions**:
1. **Marinate the Chicken**: In a bowl, add the chicken breasts and pour the buttermilk over them. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight for best results).
2. **Prepare the Coating**: In another bowl, mix the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
3. **Coat the Chicken**: Remove the chicken from the buttermilk and allow excess to drip off. Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, pressing to adhere well.
4. **Fry the Chicken**: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, fry the chicken for about 5-7 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and let drain on paper towels.
5. **Make Hot Honey**: In a small saucepan, combine honey and hot sauce over low heat, stirring until warm. Adjust spice level as desired.
6. **Prepare the Dressing**: In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.
7. **Assemble the Salad**: In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.
8. **Serve**: Slice the fried chicken and place on top of the salad. Drizzle with hot honey, followed by the yogurt dressing. Toss gently to combine.
9. **Enjoy**: Serve immediately as a warm, satisfying meal.
This crispy hot honey chicken salad combines spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors, making it a delightful dish for any occasion!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Chicken Breast: The main star of this salad! You can also use boneless chicken thighs for a juicier bite. If you’re vegetarian, try substituting with tofu or chickpeas, which also absorb flavors well.
Buttermilk: This helps tenderize the chicken. If you don’t have it, mix regular milk with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice and let it sit for a few minutes to sour it. It works well as a substitute!
Flour Mixture: All-purpose flour gives a nice crunch, but you can use gluten-free flour if needed. You might also mix in cornstarch for additional crispiness.
Hot Honey Sauce: Adjust the level of hot sauce to your taste! If you want sweetness without the spice, try mixing honey with a bit of barbecue sauce for a milder flavor.
Greek Yogurt: For the dressing, you can opt for regular yogurt or a dairy-free version if you have dietary restrictions. It still provides creaminess and tanginess.
How Do You Get the Chicken Extra Crispy?
Getting that crispy coating on the chicken is key! Follow these simple tips:
- Marinate the chicken in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes. This not only tenderizes but also helps the coating stick.
- Ensure your oil is hot enough before frying. If it’s too cool, the chicken will absorb oil and become soggy. Use this trick: drop a small piece of bread in the oil; if it bubbles around it, it’s ready.
- Coat the chicken thoroughly in the flour mixture, and allow the excess to fall away before frying. This helps create a nice crust.
- Fry in batches, leaving space for movement. Overcrowding the pan can drop the oil temperature.
By following these steps, your chicken will be wonderfully crispy and full of flavor!
How to Make Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Salad With Yogurt Dressing
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Crispy Chicken:
- 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Hot Honey Sauce:
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (adjust to taste)
For the Salad:
- 4 cups lettuce, chopped (romaine or mixed greens)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 carrot, shredded
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, diced
For the Yogurt Dressing:
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and about 30-40 minutes to cook and assemble. So, you’ll need around 1 hour total. But, trust me, the crispy chicken and fresh salad are worth every minute!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Marinate the Chicken:
Start by placing the bite-sized chicken pieces into a bowl. Pour the buttermilk over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour. This step helps to tenderize the chicken, making it juicier.
2. Prepare the Chicken Coating:
While the chicken is marinating, grab a shallow dish and mix together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. This will be your tasty coating that makes the chicken crispy.
3. Fry the Chicken:
Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, remove the chicken from the buttermilk, letting any excess drip off. Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture so they’re evenly coated. Now, carefully add chicken pieces in batches to the hot oil. Fry them for about 5-7 minutes or until they turn golden brown and are cooked through. Once done, drain the chicken on paper towels.
4. Make the Hot Honey Sauce:
In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the honey and hot sauce. Stir until well mixed, then remove from heat. You can adjust the amount of hot sauce based on your spice preference!
5. Prepare the Salad:
In a large bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, corn, shredded carrot, thinly sliced red onion, and diced avocado. Toss them gently to mix the flavors together.
6. Make the Yogurt Dressing:
In another bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, honey, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy. This dressing will add a lovely tang to your salad.
7. Assemble the Salad:
Now, it’s time to put it all together! Top your salad with the crispy chicken pieces. Drizzle the hot honey sauce over the chicken. You can serve the yogurt dressing on the side, or drizzle it over the salad according to your taste.
8. Serve Immediately:
Enjoy your delicious crispy hot honey chicken salad while the chicken is still warm and crispy. This dish is not just easy to make but also bursting with flavor!
Can I Use Regular Milk Instead of Buttermilk?
Yes, you can! If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, simply add 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of regular milk. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it thickens slightly, then use it as a substitute in the marinating step.
How Do I Make the Chicken Extra Crispy?
For an extra crispy coating, you can double dredge the chicken. After the first coating in the flour mixture, dip the pieces back into the buttermilk and then again into the flour mixture before frying. This adds a thicker, crunchier crust!
Can I Prep This Salad in Advance?
Yes, you can prep the salad ingredients ahead of time! Assemble everything except for the avocado and dressing, which you should add just before serving to keep the salad fresh. Store any prepped salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
What’s the Best Way to Store Leftover Hot Honey Chicken?
Store any leftover crispy chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat and maintain crispiness, place the chicken in a single layer on a baking sheet and warm it in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10-15 minutes.
