Would you like to turn your everyday chicken salad into something extraordinary with our air fryer chicken salad recipe?
We made your favorite chicken even better! It’s juicy, crispy, and so easy to make—no mess in your kitchen!
This quick and easy air fryer chicken salad mixes fresh, crunchy veggies with creamy dressing, and it all comes together super fast in your air fryer.
This method brings out incredible flavor while keeping the preparation simple and healthy.
Ingredient Notes
🔹 Chicken Breasts: We’ve found that medium-sized breasts (about 6-8 oz each) work best in the air fryer. If yours are larger, you might need to adjust the cooking time. Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly, so try to let it sit out for 15 minutes before cooking.
🔹 Mixed Salad Greens: Any blend works here! We often use a mix of romaine, spring mix, and arugula for varied textures and flavors. Baby spinach is another great option.
🔹 Cherry Tomatoes: These add perfect pops of sweetness. If they’re not in season, grape tomatoes work just as well. We’ve found that halving them helps distribute the flavor better throughout the salad.
🔹 Feta Cheese: We love the tangy bite of feta, but feel free to swap in goat cheese or even blue cheese if that’s more your style. For a dairy-free version, try adding extra avocado instead.
🔹 Olive Oil: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the dressing; it really makes a difference! For cooking the chicken, regular olive oil is perfectly fine.
💡 Pro Tip: If your air fryer runs hot (like ours does), you might want to check the chicken a minute or two early. Nothing ruins a salad faster than overcooked chicken!
Storage Note: Leftover prepped ingredients will keep in separate containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just remember to keep that dressing separate until serving time!
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Salad?
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
We start by patting the chicken breasts dry with paper towels (this helps get that nice golden crust!). Then, drizzle with olive oil and season generously. The seasoning mix is super flexible; we like to keep it simple with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, but feel free to use your favorite blend.
Step 2: Air Fry
Pop those seasoned breasts into your preheated air fryer basket at 380°F. We’ve found that 15 minutes usually does the trick, but remember to flip halfway through. You’re looking for that golden-brown exterior and an internal temperature of 165°F.
Step 3: Rest & Slice
This is important! Let that chicken rest for about 5 minutes before slicing. Trust us, this keeps all those delicious juices where they belong: in the chicken, not on your cutting board.
Step 4: Assemble
While the chicken rests, whisk up your dressing and prep your veggies. Layer your greens, add your toppings, and arrange those beautiful chicken slices on top. A final drizzle of dressing, and you’re good to go!
FAQs
Q1: Can I make the chicken ahead of time?
Absolutely! The cooked chicken will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Perfect for meal prep!
Q2: My chicken is sticking to the air fryer basket. Help!
Give your basket a quick spritz with cooking spray before adding the chicken. Game changer!
Q3: How do I know when the chicken is done?
A meat thermometer is your best friend here; 165°F is what you’re aiming for. No thermometer? Cut into the thickest part; the meat should be white throughout with no pink.
Q4: Can I use frozen chicken?
We don’t recommend it for this recipe. Thawed chicken will give you much better results and more even cooking.
Q5: What if I don’t have an air fryer?
You can totally grill or pan-sear the chicken instead. Just adjust cooking times accordingly!
Q6: How long does the assembled salad keep?
Once dressed, eat within 2 hours. For meal prep, store components separately and assemble when ready to eat.
Q7: Can I double the recipe?
Yes, but cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding your air fryer basket. Overcrowding = uneven cooking!
Air Fryer Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 6 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- Optional: sliced avocado
Dressing
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season chicken with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Place chicken in air fryer basket at 380°F.
- Cook 15 mins, flipping halfway (internal temp 165°F.
- Let chicken rest 5 mins, then slice.
- Mix all dressing ingredients in small bowl.
- Assemble salad greens and toppings.
- Add sliced chicken.
- Drizzle with dressing and serve.
Notes
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Share Your Experience!
👩🍳 We’d love to know how your air fryer chicken salad turns out!
Tell Us About:
🔹How did your salad turn out?
🔹What tweaks did you make to the recipe?
🔹Did you try any of our serving suggestions?
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