– **Title**: Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Salad With Yogurt Dressing
– **Ingredients**:
– 2 chicken breasts
– 1 cup buttermilk
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup cornmeal
– 1 tsp paprika
– 1 tsp garlic powder
– 1/2 tsp salt
– 1/2 tsp black pepper
– Vegetable oil (for frying)
– 2 cups mixed salad greens (e.g., romaine, arugula)
– 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
– 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
– 1/4 cup cucumber, diced
– 1/4 cup honey
– 1-2 tbsp red pepper flakes (adjust for desired heat)
– 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
– 1 tbsp lemon juice
– Salt to taste
– **Instructions**:
1. **Marinate Chicken**: Place the chicken breasts in a bowl and cover them with buttermilk. Let them marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results.
2. **Prepare the Breading**: In a shallow dish, combine the flour, cornmeal, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
3. **Bread the Chicken**: Remove the marinated chicken from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, pressing lightly to adhere. Set aside.
4. **Fry the Chicken**: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the breaded chicken breasts and fry for about 7-8 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F). Remove from the skillet and let drain on paper towels.
5. **Prepare the Hot Honey**: In a small saucepan, combine honey and red pepper flakes. Heat over low heat until warmed and slightly infused, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
6. **Make the Yogurt Dressing**: In a medium bowl, mix together the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and salt to taste. Adjust seasoning if needed.
7. **Assemble the Salad**: In a large bowl, combine mixed salad greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and cucumber. Drizzle with the yogurt dressing and toss to coat evenly.
8. **Serve**: Slice the crispy chicken and place it on top of the salad. Drizzle the hot honey over the chicken. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Enjoy your Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Salad with Yogurt Dressing!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Chicken: Chicken breast is perfect for this salad because it cooks quickly and stays tender. If you prefer, you can substitute with thighs for a juicier option or even tofu for a plant-based dish.
Buttermilk: Buttermilk tenderizes the chicken, creating a lovely flavor. If you don’t have it on hand, mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
Flour: All-purpose flour gives the chicken a nice crispy coating. You can use whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour blends if needed. Just ensure it’s suitable for frying.
Honey: Honey sweetens the sauce beautifully. If you want to stay sugar-free, try using agave syrup or a sugar substitute. Some people even enjoy maple syrup for a different flavor twist!
Greek Yogurt: Greek yogurt adds creaminess to the dressing. Use regular yogurt or a non-dairy alternative like coconut yogurt if you’re looking for a lactose-free option.
How Do You Ensure the Chicken is Crispy and Delicious?
Getting that perfect crispy chicken is key to this salad. Start by soaking the chicken in buttermilk—this not only adds flavor but also helps keep the chicken moist during frying. Here’s how to achieve that crispiness:
- Make sure your oil is hot enough before frying (about 350°F or 175°C). If it’s not hot, the chicken can turn out soggy.
- Don’t overcrowd the frying pan. Fry the chicken in batches so they cook evenly and get that golden color.
- After frying, let the chicken drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil and keep the coating crispy.
Lastly, tossing the fried chicken in the hot honey sauce just before serving ensures that the coating remains crunchy. Enjoy your cooking!
Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Salad With Yogurt Dressing
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Oil for frying
For the Hot Honey Sauce:
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 tbsp hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp butter
For the Salad:
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup corn (fresh or canned)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1 jalapeño, sliced (optional)
For the Yogurt Dressing:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 20 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook, plus at least 30 minutes for soaking the chicken. In total, you should plan for about 1 hour and 20 minutes before you can enjoy this delicious salad!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Chicken:
Begin by soaking your chicken pieces in buttermilk. You can do this in a bowl and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. If you have more time, letting it soak overnight in the fridge will make it even tastier!
2. Coat the Chicken:
In another bowl, mix together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Once your chicken is done soaking, remove it from the buttermilk and coat each piece in the flour mixture. Shake off any extra flour so they’re not too heavy.
3. Fry the Chicken:
Heat oil in a deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, carefully fry the chicken pieces in batches for about 5-7 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and crispy. Once done, place them on paper towels to drain any excess oil.
4. Make the Hot Honey Sauce:
In a small saucepan, combine the honey, hot sauce, and butter over low heat. Stir until the butter is melted and everything is well mixed. Now, toss your crispy chicken in this yummy hot honey sauce until each piece is nicely coated.
5. Prepare the Salad Base:
In a big serving bowl or platter, lay down a base of chopped romaine lettuce. On top of that, add the grape tomatoes, corn, shredded carrots, red onion, and diced avocado. Finally, top this colorful base with your hot honey chicken!
6. Make the Yogurt Dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until everything is nice and smooth. This dressing will add a refreshing touch to your salad.
7. Serve:
Just before serving, drizzle the yogurt dressing over the salad. Add jalapeño slices on top if you want a little extra kick! Now you’re ready to dig in and enjoy your crispy hot honey chicken salad!
Can I Use Plain Milk Instead of Buttermilk?
Yes! If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make a substitute by mixing 1 cup of regular milk with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it thickens slightly before using it to soak the chicken.
How Do I Make This Salad Ahead of Time?
You can prepare the chicken and sauce in advance and store them separately in airtight containers in the fridge. Assemble the salad with the lettuce and toppings just before serving to keep everything fresh and crunchy. The yogurt dressing can also be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
What Oil Is Best for Frying the Chicken?
For frying, it’s ideal to use oils with high smoke points like vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil. These oils can withstand the high heat needed to fry the chicken without burning. Avoid using olive oil for frying as it has a lower smoke point.
Can I Store Leftover Chicken Salad?
Yes, you can store the leftovers! Keep the crispy hot honey chicken and salad ingredients in separate airtight containers in the fridge. The chicken will stay crispy for a few hours, but any leftovers may soften. Consume the salad within 2 days for the best taste and texture. You can reheat the chicken in an oven to restore some crispiness if desired.
