This quick and semi-homemade fried chicken salad is seriously SO good. It’s super simple to make, using romaine lettuce, frozen chicken tenders, cheese, hardboiled eggs, and served with ranch, of course.
Have you ever heard of Max & Erma’s? I worked there from high school through college and my go to after work meal was a big ol’ Southern Fried Chicken Salad. It was romaine + iceberg salad, tomatoes, shredded cheese, hard boiled eggs, cut up chicken tenders and a hefty side of ranch dressing. It was not healthy and it was super delicious. Sometimes, I’d even toss the tenders in buffalo sauce before putting them on the “salad.”
Well even if you’ve never stepped foot in a Max and Erma’s, I’m here today to recreate my favorite restaurant Fried Chicken Salad in honor of National Salad Month! Scroll allll the way to the bottom to see the other delicious salad recipes that my fellow bloggers have whipped up in honor of the month.
I may or may not have added red onions because I love them. But, that’s totally up to you! However, you do need to use two very specific items for this fried chicken salad. You’ll need chicken tenders, I use the frozen uncooked Tyson chicken tenderloins from Costco. They are on sale for $10 for a HUGE bag and we use them constantly. Definitely my favorite meal hack.
Secondly, you have to use Hidden Valley ranch, it’s the only option. Ideally, the packet is the best because then you add mayo and buttermilk and it’s so f*cking good and so unhealthy. But, I used the bottle this time around and it’s still just as delicious. Don’t even fight me on this option. Hidden Valley is the only ranch dressing that matters.
Also, having a revelation. Is a tasty fried chicken salad doused in ranch dressing an Ohio thing? Please let me know.
I put my fried chicken salad in a big salad bowl for this picture but it easily feeds two people! Seriously, such a perfect little lunch or dinner when you want something homemade but don’t have a ton of time.
You could even make this a fried chicken cobb salad if you layer the ingredients when you whip it up.
If you liked this recipe on The Beard and The Baker, you’ll probably like these ones too:
- Mini Air Fried Beer Battered Fish Sandwiches + Tangy Tartar Sauce
- (Air) Fried Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
- Quinoa Salad with Cranberries, Feta + Cashews!
Fried Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 2 Tyson Uncooked Chicken Tenderloins
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 small tomato, chopped
- 1/2 red onion, chopped
- 4-6 hard boiled eggs, quartered
- 1-4 Tablespoons Hidden Valley Ranch
Instructions
- Cook chicken in air fryer for 14-16 minutes, until crispy and fully cooked. While chicken is cooking, prepare all other ingredients.
- Add romaine, cheese, tomato, and onion to a large salad bowl and drizzle the ranch dressing over the salad. Toss with tongs until fully combined.
- Place dressed salad into serving bowls then top with sliced chicken + hard boiled eggs. Add more dressing if desired or if from Ohio. Enjoy!
Denise
Don’t have an air fryer so I just fryed the chicken in my cast iron skillet. Sliced & diced that with everything else except the ranch dressing. I used a homemade Italian dressing instead.
pease.hannah@gmail.com
That sounds amazing! I’ll have to try with an Italian dressing next time 🙂
Colleen - Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck
This salad truly does make me smile! It has all of my favorites!
Wendy Klik
We have Max & Erma here in Michigan as well so I don’t think it is an Ohio thing. Perhaps a Midwestern thing.
pease.hannah@gmail.com
Phew, glad I’m not alone in my love for ranch 🙂
Kate
This looks like the perfect balance of veggies and comfort food! Thanks for linking up today!
pease.hannah@gmail.com
Exactly! So glad to be part of the round up!
Cindy
Fried chicken and ranch were made for each other. I love that yoou put this on a salad.
pease.hannah@gmail.com
Totally agree!! They are such a great pairing 😆🙏🏼
Karen
Great hacks and a delicious looking salad! I’ve got to hit Costco!