This Air Fried Chicken Tender Salad with Honey Mustard brings together all the comfort of a diner classic with a fresh, healthier twist. Crispy golden chicken tenders, crunchy greens, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado—and that sweet and tangy honey mustard dressing? It hits the spot every time.
Why You’ll Love This Salad
- Crispy, golden chicken tenders without frying
- Easy homemade honey mustard dressing
- Perfect for meal prep or leftovers
- Fresh, hearty, and satisfying
What You’ll Need
For the Chicken Tenders:
- Chicken tenders (or sliced chicken breast)
- 1 egg
- Gluten-free breadcrumbs (or regular)
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Italian seasoning
- Sea salt & pepper
For the Salad:
- Green leaf lettuce or romaine
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumber
- Red onion
- Avocado
For the Honey Mustard Dressing:
- Dijon mustard
- Whole grain mustard
- Honey
- Apple cider vinegar
- Sea salt
How to Make Air Fried Chicken Tender Salad
Prep the Chicken:
Pat your chicken tenders dry to help the coating stick. Whisk one egg in a bowl. In another bowl, mix breadcrumbs with garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Bread & Air Fry:
Dip each tender into the egg, then coat in the seasoned breadcrumbs. Place in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for about 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through.
Build the Salad:
While the chicken cooks, chop your lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and avocado. Layer everything in a large bowl or plate.
Make the Dressing:
Whisk together Dijon, whole grain mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of sea salt until smooth and creamy.
Assemble:
Slice the crispy chicken tenders and lay them on top of the salad. Drizzle with homemade honey mustard and dig in!
Tips for Success
- Want extra crispy tenders? Spray a little oil on the coated chicken before air frying.
- For even more flavor, marinate the tenders in a little buttermilk or pickle juice before breading.
- The homemade honey mustard keeps well in the fridge for up to 1 week.
How to Store Leftovers
Store any leftover salad (without dressing) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing and chicken separate for best texture. Reheat chicken tenders in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes to crisp them back up.
Make It Your Own
- Swap in shredded kale or baby spinach if you’re out of lettuce.
- Try it with your favorite store-bought honey mustard if you’re short on time.
- Add crumbled bacon, cheese, or pickled onions for extra flavor.
Serving Ideas
This salad is a full meal on its own, but it also pairs nicely with:
- A cup of tomato soup
- A slice of garlic toast
- Or a small side of roasted sweet potatoes
Final Thoughts
This Air Fried Chicken Tender Salad is proof that simple ingredients can create something seriously satisfying. The crispy tenders, creamy avocado, and tangy-sweet honey mustard are just magic together. It’s a salad that eats like a comfort food dinner—but without the extra effort or guilt.
Air Fryer Chicken Salad
If you’re looking for a quick dinner that feels fresh but still has that crispy, satisfying bite—this chicken tender salad is it.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 1 egg, whisked
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 cup gluten free breadcrumbs
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup tomatoes
- 1/2 cup cucumber
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 4 cups romaine lettuce
- 1/3 cup red onion, slivered
- 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 avocado
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp whole grain Dijon
- dash of sea salt
Instructions
- Start by mixing the breadcrumbs with the sea salt, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder in a bowl. In another bowl, whisk the egg.
- Pat the chicken tenders dry to help the coating stick better. Dip each piece into the egg, then roll it around in the breadcrumb mixture until well coated.
- Place the breaded tenders in the air fryer and cook at 350°F for 14 minutes, flipping halfway through so both sides get crispy.
- While the chicken is cooking, prep your salad bowls. Divide the romaine, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and avocado evenly between two plates.
- In a small bowl, stir together the honey mustard ingredients until smooth and creamy. Set it aside.
- Once the chicken tenders are done, layer them over the greens and drizzle with that homemade honey mustard.
Notes
- The air fried chicken tenders may give you more than two salads worth, depending on how big your portions are.
- The honey mustard keeps well in the fridge, so feel free to make it ahead for the week.
Nutrition Information
Yield
2Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 1068Total Fat 50gSaturated Fat 9gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 36gCholesterol 197mgSodium 3365mgCarbohydrates 106gFiber 11gSugar 33gProtein 54g
All Chicken Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.