Go Back
Indonesian crispy fried chicken served with salad on a wooden board.

Crispy Oven-"Fried" Chicken Salad with Honey-Mustard Yogurt Dressing

Craving that crunchy, golden chicken tender experience but don't want the grease? This salad delivers! We've perfected a lighter oven-"fried" chicken using whole wheat panko and a kick of smoked paprika. Nestled on a bed of crisp greens, broccoli slaw, and fresh veggies, then drizzled with a creamy honey-mustard yogurt dressing, this is a salad that satisfies every craving.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 38 minutes
Course: dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Salad

Ingredients
  

For the Oven-"Fried" Chicken
  • 4 ounces chicken breast boneless, skinless
  • 2 tablespoons liquid egg whites or 1 large egg white
  • ¼ cup whole wheat panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 1 pinch of black pepper
  • Non-stick cooking spray
For the Salad Base
  • 3 cups mixed greens
  • 1 cup broccoli slaw mix
  • ½ cup cherry tomatoes
  • ½ cup carrots
  • ¼ cup cucumber
For the Honey-Mustard Yogurt Dressing
  • 3 tablespoons plain fat-free Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon fresh dill chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried dill weed)
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 1 pinch of black pepper

Method
 

Prepare the Oven and Chicken
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and place a wire rack on top for maximum crispiness.
  2. Cut the 4 ounces of chicken breast into strips, about 1-inch wide.
  3. In a shallow dish, place the 2 tablespoons of egg whites.
  4. In a separate shallow dish, combine the ¼ cup of whole wheat panko breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix well.
  5. Dip each chicken strip first into the egg whites, allowing any excess to drip off. Then, coat the strip thoroughly in the seasoned panko mixture, pressing gently so the breadcrumbs adhere.
  6. Place the breaded strips on the wire rack on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with all chicken pieces.
  7. Lightly spray the tops of the chicken strips with non-stick cooking spray. Flip the chicken strips and repeat. This helps them brown and become crispy.
  8. Bake for 15-18 minutes until the chicken is golden brown, crispy, and cooked through (no longer pink in the center).
Prepare the Vegetables
  1. While the chicken bakes, prepare your vegetables. Halve the ½ cup of cherry tomatoes. Peel and shred the ½ cup of carrots (if not using pre-shredded). Slice the ¼ cup of cucumber into thin rounds. Set aside.
Make the Dressing
  1. Finely chop the fresh dill.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the 3 tablespoons of Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon of honey, 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, the chopped dill, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk until smooth.
Assemble the Salad
  1. In a large bowl, combine the 3 cups of mixed greens, 1 cup of broccoli slaw, tomatoes, carrots, and cucumber.
  2. Drizzle about half of the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.
  3. Pile the dressed salad onto a plate or into a bowl. Arrange the hot, crispy chicken strips on top.
  4. Drizzle the remaining dressing over the chicken, or serve it on the side for dipping. Serve immediately for the crispiest chicken.

Notes

  • The Secret to Maximum Crunch: Using a wire rack on your baking sheet allows hot air to circulate all around the chicken, preventing the bottom from getting soggy. If you don't have a rack, flipping the chicken halfway is essential.
  • Smoked Paprika is Key: Don't substitute regular paprika! Smoked paprika gives the chicken a wonderful, almost bacon-like depth of flavor that makes this dish truly special.
  • Make-Ahead Tip: You can prepare the breaded chicken strips and refrigerate them (uncooked) for a few hours before baking. The dressing can also be made up to 3 days in advance.