Craving something crispy, creamy, and fresh? This Crispy Chicken Salad with Homemade Ranch Dressing is your new go-to. Juicy fried chicken meets crisp romaine, vibrant veggies, and a tangy homemade ranch that’s irresistibly rich. Whether you’re planning a hearty lunch, light dinner, or crowd-pleasing potluck dish—this salad delivers every time. Let’s get into it!
Table of Contents
What is Crispy Chicken Salad?
Think of it as the best of both worlds: the crunch of golden chicken tenders paired with the cool freshness of a green salad. Topped with a creamy, herby ranch dressing, it’s bold, flavorful, and customizable. Unlike plain salads, this one satisfies like a full meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Texture overload: Crunchy chicken + crisp lettuce + creamy dressing = perfection.
- Homemade ranch for better flavor and fewer preservatives.
- Customizable with toppings like cheese, bacon, avocado, or nuts.
- Great for meal prep—just keep dressing and chicken separate until serving.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Crispy Chicken:
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Oil for frying
For the Salad:
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, sliced
- 1/2 cucumber, sliced
- 1 avocado, diced (optional)
For Homemade Ranch:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried dill
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or chives (optional)
How to Make Crispy Chicken Salad
1️⃣ Prep the Chicken
- Marinate chicken strips in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes (or overnight).
2️⃣ Bread and Fry
- Mix flour, garlic powder, paprika, and salt in a bowl.
- Dredge each chicken strip in flour mixture.
- Heat oil in skillet and fry strips until golden and crispy.
- Place on paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
3️⃣ Make the Ranch Dressing
- Combine mayo, sour cream, buttermilk, and spices in a bowl.
- Stir until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Chill until ready to serve.
4️⃣ Assemble the Salad
- In a large bowl, toss lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.
- Top with crispy chicken and drizzle with ranch.
- Optional: Garnish with avocado, shredded cheese, or croutons.
💡 Pro Tips
- Air fry chicken for a lighter version.
- Use pre-washed salad mix to save time.
- Add crumbled bacon for smoky flavor.
- Chill dressing for 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
FAQs About Crispy Chicken Salad
How do you make homemade ranch dressing from scratch?
Mix together mayo, sour cream, buttermilk, garlic, onion powder, dill, salt, and pepper. Optional: fresh herbs.
What makes crispy chicken stay crunchy on salad?
Let fried chicken rest on a cooling rack and only add to salad just before serving. Check out our Crispy Buttered Ranch Chicken for extra tips on maintaining crunch.
What’s the best crunchy topping for chicken salad?
Croutons, toasted almonds, tortilla strips, or even fried shallots.
Can I make the chicken salad ahead of time?
Yes, but store the chicken and dressing separately to avoid sogginess.
How to Store & Reheat Crispy Chicken Salad
Leftovers? No problem—this salad stores beautifully when handled the right way.
🥗 For the Salad Base:
- Refrigerate: Store chopped lettuce, veggies, and cheese in an airtight container for up to 2–3 days.
- Avoid dressing: Always keep the ranch separate to prevent sogginess.
🍗 For the Crispy Chicken:
- Cool completely before storing.
- Store in a separate airtight container, preferably lined with paper towel to absorb moisture.
- Keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
🔁 Reheating:
- Reheat in an air fryer or oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes to regain crispiness.
- Avoid microwaving if you want to preserve the crispy texture.
💡 Quick Tip:
If you’re meal-prepping, pack your chicken, salad, and dressing in separate compartments for the best taste and texture!
Meal Prep & Serving Ideas
This crispy chicken salad is versatile, satisfying, and easy to repurpose throughout the week.
Meal Prep Tips:
- Use glass meal prep containers with compartments for dressing and chicken.
- Make a double batch of ranch and use it throughout the week on wraps like Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas or veggie dips.
- Store lettuce and chicken separately to avoid wilting.
🍴 Serving Variations:
- Wrap it up: Add the salad and chicken to a tortilla for a crunchy chicken wrap.
- Make it a bowl: Serve over a bed of quinoa or rice for extra heartiness.
- Add extras: Top with boiled eggs, sunflower seeds, or spicy jalapeño slices.
🎉 Party Idea:
Serve in mini cups with a strip of crispy chicken and a drizzle of ranch for an impressive salad appetizer at brunches or showers.
🥗 Related Recipes You’ll Love
Crispy Chicken Salad with Homemade Ranch Dressing
Equipment
- Skillet
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
Chicken Ingredients
- 2 pieces chicken breasts sliced into strips
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- oil for frying
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/2 red onion sliced
- 1/2 cucumber sliced
- 1 avocado diced (optional)
Ranch Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried dill
- salt and pepper to taste
- fresh parsley or chives optional
Instructions
- Marinate chicken strips in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes (or overnight).
- Mix flour, garlic powder, paprika, and salt in a bowl.
- Dredge each chicken strip in the flour mixture.
- Heat oil in a skillet and fry strips until golden and crispy.
- Place fried chicken on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- In a bowl, mix mayo, sour cream, buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, dill, salt, and pepper to make ranch dressing.
- Chill dressing until ready to serve.
- Toss lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, and onion in a large bowl.
- Top salad with crispy chicken and drizzle with ranch dressing.
- Optional: add avocado, shredded cheese, or croutons before serving.