Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Salad (Printable Version)

Golden chicken strips with spicy hot honey over crisp romaine and fresh vegetables.

# What You Need:

→ Crispy Chicken

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→ Hot Honey Glaze

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→ Salad Base

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→ Lemon Dressing

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# How to Make It:

01 - Cut chicken breasts into strips. Whisk buttermilk with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add chicken strips, coat thoroughly, and marinate for at least 15 minutes or overnight for enhanced flavor.
02 - Place flour in one shallow dish and panko breadcrumbs in another. Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge each strip in flour, shaking off excess, then press firmly into panko to coat evenly.
03 - Pour vegetable oil to a depth of 1/2 inch in a large skillet. Heat over medium-high until shimmering. Fry chicken strips in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
04 - Combine honey, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir gently until warmed through and well blended. Avoid boiling. Remove from heat and set aside for serving.
05 - Combine chopped romaine lettuce, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, and fresh herbs in a large mixing bowl.
06 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until emulsified and smooth.
07 - Drizzle dressing over salad greens and toss to coat evenly. Arrange on plates, top with crispy chicken strips, and generously drizzle with hot honey glaze. Sprinkle roasted seeds over the top and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

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  • The hot honey creates this incredible sticky glaze that clings to every crunchy crumb
  • You get that perfect contrast of hot crispy chicken against cool crisp lettuce
  • Everything comes together in under 45 minutes but tastes like you fussed
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  • Let the fried chicken drain on paper towels for at least 2 minutes before adding to salad
  • Do not skip the vinegar in the hot honey, it cuts through all that sweetness perfectly
  • Work quickly once you start dressing the greens so nothing gets soggy
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  • Pat the chicken completely dry before breading or the coating will slide right off
  • Use a thermometer to check your oil stays around 350 degrees for the crispiest results
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