Description

This Buffalo Ranch Crispy Chicken Salad combines crispy fried chicken tenders coated in a flavorful breading with fresh romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, shredded carrots, and optional cheddar cheese. Tossed with spicy buffalo sauce and creamy ranch dressing, this salad offers a perfect balance of textures and bold flavors for a quick and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup chopped cucumbers
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Chicken Ingredients

1/2 lb boneless chicken tenders
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Salt and black pepper to taste
1/4 tsp paprika
Oil for frying
2 tbsp buffalo sauce
2 tbsp ranch dressing

Instructions

Season Chicken: Season the chicken tenders evenly with salt, black pepper, and paprika to infuse flavor before breading.
Bread the Chicken: Dredge each chicken tender in all-purpose flour, then dip into the beaten egg, followed by coating with breadcrumbs for a crispy texture.
Fry Chicken: Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat and fry the chicken tenders for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. Drain the cooked chicken on paper towels and slice into strips.
Prepare Salad Base: In a large bowl, combine chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped cucumbers, shredded carrots, and shredded cheddar cheese if using.
Assemble Salad: Arrange the sliced crispy chicken strips on top of the prepared salad base.
Add Dressings: Drizzle buffalo sauce and ranch dressing evenly over the salad to enhance flavor.
Serve: Serve the salad immediately while the chicken is warm and crunchy to enjoy the best taste and texture.

Notes

For a lighter option, bake the chicken tenders at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes instead of frying.
The shredded cheddar cheese is optional and can be omitted for a dairy-free version.
Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour to adapt this recipe for gluten sensitivities.
Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce to control the spice level to your preference.
Leftover crispy chicken can be refrigerated and used in sandwiches or wraps for up to 2 days.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Keywords: buffalo chicken salad, crispy chicken salad, buffalo ranch chicken, fried chicken salad, easy chicken salad, quick dinner salad