Ready to level up your salad game? This Spicy Chicken Salad brings all heat, freshness, and flavor you’re looking for!
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time10 minutesmins
Total Time20 minutesmins
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: vegetables
Servings: 2Servings
Calories: 470kcal
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Ingredients
10ouncesfrozen crispy chicken bites
4cupchopped romaine or iceberg lettuce
1cupcubed cucumber
1cuphalved cherry tomatoes
2-3smallmini pepperssliced into rings
3ouncespepperjack cheesediced
½cupcrushed croutons
3-4tablespoons spicy ranch dressing
Instructions
Air fry, fry, or bake chicken per package directions.
In a large bowl, combine lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, peppers, cheese, croutons, and dressing.
Toss the salad ingredients together until all the components are coated well. Evenly disperse the salad into 2 small bowls.
Chop the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Evenly divide the chicken on top of both salads.
Notes
Nutrition information approximate for 1 salad.Pro Tips
Fresh Ingredients: Start with fresh and high-quality vegetables.
Uniform Chopping: Ensure that all ingredients are chopped into uniform, bite-sized pieces. This creates a balanced texture and allows for a perfect mix of flavors in every forkful.
Knife Sharpness: A sharp knife is your best friend for chopping. It not only makes the process easier but also prevents vegetables from getting crushed or bruised, maintaining their integrity.
Protein Boost: Protein makes the salad more satisfying. If you prefer an alternative to spicy crispy chicken, grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken, shrimp, chickpeas, or tofu are excellent substitutions
Dress It Right: A flavorful dressing that complements the ingredients is crucial for the perfect salad. Consider adding the dressing just before serving to keep the salad fresh.
Toss Just Before Serving: To maintain crispness, toss the salad just before serving. This prevents wilting and ensures that the flavors are evenly distributed.
Refrigerate Smartly: If making the chopped salad ahead of time, store the components separately, especially the dressing, to maintain the crispness of the vegetables. Combine just before serving.