Print

Crispy Chicken Salad Recipe

4.9 from 84 reviews

A vibrant and hearty Crispy Chicken Salad featuring fresh iceberg lettuce, shredded carrots, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, shredded Cheddar cheese, hard-boiled eggs, crispy fried chicken tenders, and crunchy pecans, all tossed in creamy ranch dressing. This salad offers a delightful mix of textures and flavors perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables and Greens

  • 1 small head iceberg lettuce, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and shredded
  • 1 cucumber, chopped
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup sliced red onion

Dairy and Eggs

  • 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
  • 4 hard-boiled eggs, quartered

Protein and Nuts

  • 12 fried chicken tenders, chopped
  • ½ cup chopped pecans

Dressing

  • ½ cup ranch dressing

Instructions

  1. Prepare the salad base: In a large bowl, combine the chopped iceberg lettuce, shredded carrots, chopped cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, and shredded Cheddar cheese. Mix these fresh ingredients well to create an even salad base.
  2. Add dressing and toss: Pour the ranch dressing over the salad mixture. Toss everything together thoroughly to ensure the dressing coats all the vegetables and cheese evenly, enhancing the flavors.
  3. Plate the salad: Divide the tossed salad among individual serving plates, spreading it out evenly.
  4. Top with protein and nuts: Distribute the quartered hard-boiled eggs, chopped fried chicken tenders, and chopped pecans evenly over each salad plate. These toppings add protein, crunch, and flavor to complete the dish.

Notes

  • For a lighter version, use grilled chicken tenders instead of fried to reduce fat content.
  • Feel free to substitute ranch dressing with a vinaigrette for a tangier taste.
  • You can omit pecans if you have nut allergies or replace them with sunflower seeds for crunch.
  • Make sure eggs are fully cooked and cooled before quartering for the best texture.
  • Chilling the salad ingredients before assembling can enhance freshness and crunch.

Keywords: crispy chicken salad, fried chicken salad, easy chicken salad, ranch chicken salad, summer salad, hearty salad