There’s just something irresistible about the Air Fried Chicken Tender Salad with Honey Mustard—it’s got that magic combination of crispy, golden chicken, fresh crunchy veggies, and a creamy, tangy-sweet homemade honey mustard dressing that brings it all together. This salad is a total crave-worthy crowd-pleaser, and the best part is that it comes together with ease in your air fryer, making every bite feel like a flavor-packed treat without the guilt. It’s filling enough for a hearty lunch, stunning enough for dinner with friends, and simple enough for a busy weeknight. Honestly, this is one of those dishes you’ll want to keep on repeat!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every component in this Air Fried Chicken Tender Salad with Honey Mustard plays an important role in layering flavors and textures to create a vibrant, satisfying meal. The ingredients are simple and easy to source, but together they deliver that perfect medley of crunch, creaminess, and zing.
- Chicken Tenders: Tender, juicy, and perfect for soaking up all that flavorful marinade.
- Buttermilk: Essential for making the chicken ultra-moist and for adding a tangy base note that sets up the breading.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: The key to achieving a crispy, golden crust in the air fryer.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty richness and deepens the flavor of the breading.
- Garlic Powder: Brings a savory backbone that perks up the chicken without overwhelming it.
- Paprika: Lends a hint of smokiness and beautiful color to the crust.
- Salt: Enhances all the other seasonings and locks in flavor.
- Black Pepper: A touch of pepper adds warmth and balances the richness.
- Olive Oil Spray: Guarantees crispiness in the air fryer without excess oil.
- Mixed Greens: A fresh base that adds crunch and vibrant color to the salad.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Juicy bursts of sweetness and acidity in every bite.
- Cucumber: A cool, crisp texture that is essential for balance.
- Red Onion: Brings sharpness and color contrast to the salad.
- Shredded Carrots: A little bit sweet, a little bit earthy, and always welcome in salads.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese (optional): Adds a creamy, tangy accent that’s especially good if you love cheese.
- Dijon Mustard (for the dressing): Lays down the zippy foundation for the honey mustard vinaigrette.
- Honey (for the dressing): Sweetens the dressing and plays so well with the mustard tang.
- Mayonnaise (for the dressing): Makes the dressing luxuriously creamy—feel free to swap for Greek yogurt if you prefer!
- Apple Cider Vinegar (for the dressing): Adds brightness and lets all the other flavors pop.
- Salt and Pepper (for the dressing): Season to taste for a perfectly balanced homemade dressing.
How to Make Air Fried Chicken Tender Salad with Honey Mustard
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Start by giving your chicken tenders a lovely, tangy bath in buttermilk. Thirty minutes is plenty if you’re short on time, but letting them soak overnight really makes the chicken outrageously tender and flavorful. This simple step is the secret to juicy, restaurant-quality air fried chicken every single time.
Step 2: Bread the Chicken Tenders
While your air fryer preheats to 400°F, set up a quick breading station. Mix your panko, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl. Lift the chicken out of the buttermilk, let the excess drip off, then dredge in the breadcrumb mixture—pressing gently so every nook and cranny is coated in all that seasoned crunch.
Step 3: Air Fry the Chicken
Lay your breaded chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket and give them a quick spritz of olive oil spray. This ensures maximum crispiness with minimal fat. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until your tenders are golden brown, insanely crispy on the outside, and cooked perfectly through on the inside.
Step 4: Prep the Salad Ingredients
While the chicken cooks, arrange your mixed greens in a big serving bowl. Scatter over the cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, crunchy shredded carrots, vibrant red onion, and (if you’re feeling cheesy) a sprinkle of shredded cheddar. The colors alone make this salad a showstopper, and every bite has a different surprise.
Step 5: Whisk Up the Honey Mustard Dressing
Grab a small bowl and whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), apple cider vinegar, and a little salt and pepper. The resulting honey mustard is creamy, punchy, and way better than anything store-bought. Taste and adjust seasoning so it’s just right for you.
Step 6: Assemble and Serve
Slice the hot, crispy tenders and lay them on top of your salad base. Drizzle generously with the homemade honey mustard dressing right before serving. Every forkful becomes a celebration—crunch, creaminess, zest, and that signature sweet-tangy honey mustard finish.
How to Serve Air Fried Chicken Tender Salad with Honey Mustard
Garnishes
You can bring even more flavor and flair to your Air Fried Chicken Tender Salad with Honey Mustard with a finishing touch or two. Try a sprinkle of extra Parmesan, a few chopped chives for gentle oniony sharpness, or a handful of sunflower seeds for bonus crunch. A little fresh cracked black pepper right before serving wakes up all those bright, vibrant flavors.
Side Dishes
This salad truly holds its own, but if you want to make it a bigger meal, serve alongside a warm loaf of crusty bread, herbed focaccia, or a bowl of soup (tomato or vegetable is a dreamy pairing). For summer parties, pile your plates with a light fruit salad or roasted sweet potatoes for a satisfying skillet-to-table supper.
Creative Ways to Present
Why not serve this Air Fried Chicken Tender Salad with Honey Mustard layered in mason jars for a fun picnic or office lunch? Or arrange it deconstructed on a big platter for a family-style dinner, letting everyone build their own masterpiece. You could even chop everything smaller and wrap it up in a hearty tortilla for a salad wrap on-the-go.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’ve got extra Air Fried Chicken Tender Salad with Honey Mustard, store the components separately for best results. Keep the crispy chicken in an airtight container in the fridge, store the salad veggies in another, and save the dressing in a small jar. Everything stays fresher and textures stay spot-on for the next day’s quick meal.
Freezing
While the greens and dressing are best enjoyed fresh, you can absolutely freeze leftover cooked chicken tenders. Let them cool fully, then tuck them into a freezer-safe bag with a little parchment between each piece. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months—just reheat and add to freshly prepped salad whenever you crave that crispy goodness!
Reheating
To restore your chicken tenders to their original crispy glory, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes until heated through. Avoid the microwave, which tends to make the breading soggy. Once hot, slice and lay atop your crisp salad base, then drizzle with fresh honey mustard just before serving.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of tenders for this salad?
Absolutely! Simply cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts into strips to mimic tenders. Follow the marinating and breading steps as directed—the results are every bit as juicy and flavorful as traditional tenders.
Is this Air Fried Chicken Tender Salad with Honey Mustard gluten-free?
It can be! Simply swap in your favorite gluten-free panko or breadcrumbs. Everything else in the salad and the dressing is naturally gluten-free, making it a great option for anyone needing a wheat-free meal.
Can I prep the components ahead for weekday lunches?
Definitely! Both the air fried chicken tenders and the honey mustard dressing can be made up to three days in advance. Store the salad greens separately and assemble just before eating to keep everything crisp and fresh.
What’s the best way to keep the chicken crispy for leftovers?
For maximum crunch, store chicken tenders separately from the salad and dressing. Reheat in the air fryer so the breading stays crispy, then add to your salad freshly tossed with cold greens and veggies.
Can the honey mustard dressing be made lighter?
Yes! Just swap in Greek yogurt for mayonnaise to lighten things up without sacrificing creaminess or tang. It’s a tasty, protein-boosted dressing option perfect for a healthier twist on this Air Fried Chicken Tender Salad with Honey Mustard.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a meal that’s easy enough for a hectic week yet special enough to serve guests, you really can’t go wrong with Air Fried Chicken Tender Salad with Honey Mustard. The textures are out of this world, the flavors are balanced and bright, and the whole thing comes together with so little effort. Go on—treat yourself and your loved ones to this modern classic. You just might find it becoming your favorite salad, too!
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Air Fried Chicken Tender Salad with Honey Mustard Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus marinating time)
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes (plus marinating)
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in a delightful and healthy Air Fried Chicken Tender Salad with Honey Mustard dressing. Crispy air-fried chicken tenders atop a bed of fresh mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and more, all drizzled with a tangy honey mustard dressing.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Tenders:
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- olive oil spray
For the Salad:
- 6 cups mixed greens
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/2 cup cucumber (sliced)
- 1/4 cup red onion (thinly sliced)
- 1/4 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
For the Honey Mustard Dressing:
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Marinate chicken tenders in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
- Prepare the Chicken: Coat marinated chicken tenders in breadcrumb mixture and air fry until golden and cooked through.
- Make the Salad: Arrange mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and carrots in a bowl.
- Prepare the Dressing: Whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, mayo, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble: Top salad with chicken tenders and drizzle with honey mustard dressing.
Notes
- For a lighter option, use Greek yogurt instead of mayo in the dressing.
- You can opt for store-bought air-fried or grilled chicken for convenience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
