Crispy Chicken Salad (With Maple Mustard Dressing)

A salad with mixed greens, sliced red apples, breaded chicken pieces, pecans, dried cranberries, crumbled feta cheese, and a light drizzle of dressing.

Crispy Chicken Salad (With Maple Mustard Dressing)

My crispy chicken salad features air-fried breaded chicken, honey crisp apples, an amazing homemade maple mustard dressing, and candied pecans. This flavorful and protein-rich salad makes for a yummy lunch or dinner.

Prep Time25

Cook Time20

Total Time45

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: crispy chicken salad

Servings:

Author: Emily Richter

Ingredients

Salad

1 cup whole pecans raw
2 tablespoons maple syrup
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
10 oz. spring mix salad
½ cup unsweetened dried cranberries
½ cup crumbed feta cheese
2 medium Honey Crisp apples thinly sliced

Dressing

3 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons mayo
3 teaspoons Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil

Chicken

1.5 lbs. chicken breast cut into 1-inch chunks
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon sea salt
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2-3 cups panko breadcrumbs

Instructions

Begin by making candied pecans. Heat a large skillet over medium/low heat. Add the pecans, maple syrup, and cinnamon to the skillet. Toss the pecans until they are coated. Toast the pecans until they begin to brown. Transfer the pecans to a plate and let them cool.
Add all of the ingredients for the dressing to a bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside.
Next, prepare the chicken. In three separate bowls, add the flour to one, whisked eggs, maple syrup, and Dijon to the second, and panko bread crumbs and salt to the third bowl.
Dredge a piece of chicken through the flour, then egg, and then the panko. Be sure it is fully coated. Set aside and repeat until all the chicken has been coated.
Transfer the chicken to the air fryer and spray with avocado oil. Be sure the chicken pieces are not overcrowded. Cook at 400º for 5-8 minutes (depends on what type of air fryer you’re using) or until the chicken is golden brown and crispy. You may need to cook the chicken in batches. We are looking for an internal temperature of 165ºF.
Add the mixed greens, cranberries, feta, and apples to a large salad bowl. Top with chicken and candied pecans.
Dress the salad right before serving and enjoy immediately.

Video

Notes

If you don’t have an air fryer, feel free to replace the air fryer chicken with rotisserie chicken.

Nutrition