Golden chicken strips with spicy hot honey, crisp romaine, cucumber, tomatoes, and roasted seeds for a bold, crunchy salad.
# What You'll Need:
→ Crispy Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 cup buttermilk
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
07 - 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
08 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
09 - Vegetable oil for frying
→ Hot Honey
10 - 1/3 cup honey
11 - 1 to 2 tablespoons hot sauce
12 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
13 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
→ Salad Base
14 - 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
15 - 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
16 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
17 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
18 - 1/3 cup roasted mixed seeds
19 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
→ Dressing
20 - 1/4 cup olive oil
21 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
22 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
23 - 1 teaspoon honey
24 - Salt and pepper to taste
# How To Make It:
01 - Slice chicken breasts into strips. Combine buttermilk, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add chicken, toss to coat thoroughly, and marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to overnight.
02 - Place flour in one shallow dish and panko breadcrumbs in another. Remove chicken from marinade and coat each piece first in flour, then in panko, pressing firmly to adhere.
03 - Heat 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken strips in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
04 - Combine honey, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan over low heat. Warm gently while stirring until just combined. Do not boil. Set aside.
05 - Toss chopped romaine, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and fresh herbs together in a large bowl.
06 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until fully incorporated.
07 - Drizzle salad with vinaigrette and toss to coat evenly. Top with crispy chicken strips, drizzle generously with hot honey glaze, and sprinkle with roasted seeds. Serve immediately.
