Air Fried Chicken Tender Salad: My Go-To Easy Meal (Print Version)

Air Fried Chicken Tender Salad is my secret for quick, healthy, and delicious weeknight dinners. Crispy tenders, fresh greens, and tangy honey mustard dressing!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: High-Protein

# Ingredients:

→ Crispy Chicken Tenders

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch strips
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil

→ Flavor Boosters & Seasonings

03 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
04 - 1 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
06 - 1/2 tsp salt
07 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Honey Mustard Dressing

08 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
09 - 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
10 - 1 tbsp honey
11 - 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

→ Fresh Salad Base & Toppings

12 - 6-8 cups mixed greens or romaine lettuce
13 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
14 - 1/2 large cucumber, sliced or diced
15 - 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
16 - Optional: 1/2 avocado, diced

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, let's get that chicken ready for its air fryer spa treatment. Pat your boneless, skinless chicken breast strips super dry with paper towels – this is key for crispiness, trust me! Drizzle them with a little olive oil, then sprinkle generously with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Get in there with your hands and make sure every tender is coated. I always get my hands a little messy here, but it's part of the fun, right? This is where the magic starts to happen, you can already smell those spices melding!
02 - While your chicken is marinating for a hot minute (or five, if you're like me and get distracted), let's tackle that dreamy honey mustard. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, and apple cider vinegar. Give it a good whisk until it's smooth and creamy. Taste it! Does it need more honey? More Dijon? This is *your* dressing, so make it perfect for you. I once forgot the apple cider vinegar, and honestly, it just tasted flat. Don't make my mistake; that little bit of tang is crucial!
03 - Now for the star of our Air Fried Chicken Tender Salad! Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the seasoned chicken tenders in a single layer in your air fryer basket. And please, for the love of crispy chicken, don't overcrowd it! You might need to do this in batches. Air fry for 10-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they're golden brown and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Oh, that smell when they're cooking? Divine!
04 - While the tenders are doing their thing, wash and chop all your fresh salad ingredients. Halve those cherry tomatoes, slice your cucumber, and thinly slice the red onion. If you're adding avocado, now's the time to dice it up. I usually get a little carried away with the chopping and end up with enough for two salads, but hey, leftovers are a win! This step is all about getting that colorful, fresh base ready for our crispy chicken.
05 - Once your chicken tenders are perfectly crispy and rested for a couple of minutes, it's time to bring it all together. In a large bowl, combine your mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion. You can either toss everything with the honey mustard dressing now or let everyone add their own. I usually let folks add their own because some prefer a lighter dressing. This is where the artistry happens, arranging everything beautifully!
06 - Place a generous serving of the fresh salad mix onto plates. Top with those warm, crispy Air Fried Chicken Tender Salad pieces. Drizzle with extra honey mustard dressing if desired, and maybe a little extra black pepper or even some chopped fresh parsley if you're feeling fancy. Take a moment to admire your work – it looks amazing, doesn't it? The crunch, the freshness, the creamy dressing... it's a symphony of textures and flavors. Dig in!

# Notes:

01 - Always pat your chicken dry before seasoning for maximum crispiness in the air fryer.
02 - Store chicken, dressing, and greens separately to keep everything fresh for meal prep.
03 - If you don't have apple cider vinegar for the dressing, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice works, too!
04 - For an extra pop of flavor, try adding a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds to your salad.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Air fryer
02 - large mixing bowls
03 - whisk
04 - cutting board
05 - knife

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450 Calories
Total Fat: 28g
Total Carbohydrate: 20g
Protein: 35g

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