From the spicy and juicy cooked chicken breasts to the refreshing homemade dressing and every refreshing bite in between, you are going to love this blackened chicken salad.
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Salads are incredible, you can customize them with just about anything and turn them into a full meal or a simple side dish. This blackened chicken recipe is a full meal, and one that is incredibly filling as well. If you love salads as meals, then be sure to try our Fajita Taco Salad too.
The combination of refreshingly crunchy veggies with the spicy chicken and creamy lime dressing all pair so wonderfully together that it's like a symphony on your plate.
I used the blackened chicken seasoning blend from our Blackened Chicken Alfredo to make this salad, and it really hits the spot. Feel free to turn this simple salad into a side dish for the alfredo, as I am sure they will both pair well together. Add some Air Fryer Garlic Bread for a meal everyone will love!
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💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It delivers big flavor with minimal effort. The homemade blackened seasoning brings bold, smoky heat to the chicken without needing a long marinade or complicated steps.
- Protein-rich and filling. With chicken, boiled eggs, Greek yogurt, and cheese, this Blackened Chicken Salad is hearty enough to stand alone as a meal while still keeping things fresh and nutritious.
- Quick to prep and easy to customize. You can make it in under 30 minutes, swap in your favorite veggies, or adjust the heat level to your liking. It's perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
🛒 Ingredients
Seasonings- You will want to use a blend of basic pantry staple seasonings to get a flavorful chicken and dressing.
Hot sauce- For the homemade dressing, you'll want a little heat to help bring harmony to the dish. You can use your favorite hot sauce or even sriracha.
Mixed greens- Feel free to use any blend of salad greens or even the basic garden salad blend (whichever is cheaper or tastier).
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
Cayenne Powder- You can choose to use Cajun seasoning or Cayenne for the chicken blend, depending on which one you have on hand (both taste great!).
Salad Dressing- The mayo and garlic powder in the dressing are both optional ingredients and can be skipped if desired.
Blackened Chicken Cobb Salad- Turn your Blackened Chicken Salad into a delicious Cobb salad by changing the cheddar cheese into blue cheese and adding some crumbled bacon pieces on top.
🥣 Recipe Add-Ins
Want to bulk it up or switch things around? Here are some delicious add-ins to take your salad to the next level:
- Beans: Add black beans or chickpeas for extra fiber and plant-based protein.
- Nuts or Seeds: A sprinkle of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or chopped pecans adds crunch and healthy fats.
- Fruit: Add sliced strawberries, apple wedges, or dried cranberries for a sweet contrast to the spicy chicken.
- Croutons or Tortilla Strips: For that irresistible crunch, toss in homemade croutons or crispy tortilla strips.
- Pickled Veggies: Add pickled red onions or jalapeños for a tangy punch.
Mix and match based on what you have on hand or what needs using up in your fridge. This Blackened Chicken Salad is flexible and forgiving- just the way we like it!
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Use affordable greens: Opt for bagged garden mixes or romaine instead of spring blends for better value.
Stretch your protein: Slice thinner chicken breasts or use one large breast across two salads. You can also use leftover grilled chicken or rotisserie chicken.
Shop in season: Bell peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes are cheapest in summer. Swap for carrots or frozen corn in colder months.
🥄 Instructions for Blackened Chicken Salad
Step 1: Start by boiling your eggs in a pot of water. I do this by placing eggs in the water and then bringing them to a rolling boil for 5 minutes before turning off the heat and letting them rest until needed, then I run them under cool water before peeling. (Image 1).
Step 2: In a small bowl, mix together the seasonings for the chicken. (Image 2).
Step 3: Pat your chicken breasts with a paper towel and then sprinkle your seasoning mix over the chicken. (Image 3).
Step 4: Rub the seasoning into the chicken for full coverage, front and back. You may have some seasoning left over. (Image 4).
Step 5: Heat a little olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken once hot. (Image 5).
Step 6: Cook 6-7 minutes per side, until browned and internal temp hits 165°F. (Image 6). Remove chicken and let rest for a few minutes before slicing.
Step 7: Prepare the dressing by whisking all the ingredients together until smooth. Set aside. (Image 7).
Step 8: Assemble the salad- Layer greens, then add tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, avocado, carrot, cheese, eggs, and sliced chicken.
Step 9: Toss everything together or drizzle with the homemade dressing. (Image 8).
Enjoy!
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Wash and Dry Your Greens Well- Always wash your salad greens thoroughly, even if the package says "pre-washed." Grit or hidden dirt can linger, and no one wants that in their salad. Use a salad spinner or gently pat dry with a clean kitchen towel to avoid soggy greens.
- Boil Eggs Ahead of Time- Save time by boiling your eggs the night before and storing them in the fridge. Cold, peeled eggs are easier to slice and make assembly faster.
- Don't Skip the Rest Time for Chicken- Letting the cooked chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing helps retain its juices and keeps the meat tender.
❄️ Storage and Make Ahead
Storage: Store leftover salad (without dressing) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing separately in a small jar for up to 5 days.
Make Ahead: Cook and slice the chicken, boil the eggs, and prep your veggies up to 2 days in advance. Store everything separately until ready to serve for the freshest texture.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
Pair this salad with Air Fryer Garlic Bread or a slice of Rustic Sourdough Discard Bread for a heartier meal. For something lighter, serve alongside Oven Roasted Asparagus or The Best Canned Green Beans.
- Air Fryer Frozen Garlic BreadRecipe $2.24 / Serving $0.28
- Rustic Sourdough Discard BreadRecipe $1.59 / Serving $0.16
- Oven Roasted AsparagusRecipe $4.13 / Serving $1.03
- The Best Canned Green Bean RecipeRecipe $1.14 / Serving $0.29
❓ Blackened Chicken Salad FAQs
Blackened chicken refers to a cooking method where the chicken is coated in a bold spice blend and then seared at a high temperature. This process creates a dark, flavorful crust on the outside. The deep color results from the spices charring slightly during cooking, not because the chicken is burnt.
Absolutely. While the homemade creamy lime dressing adds a ton of flavor, feel free to use your favorite store-bought ranch, vinaigrette, or chipotle dressing for convenience.
It does have a bit of heat from the blackened seasoning and dressing, but you can easily tone it down. Reduce or skip the cayenne pepper or hot sauce if you're sensitive to spice.
Any blend you like! Spring mix, baby spinach, romaine, or even chopped iceberg all work well. Just make sure they're washed and thoroughly dried to avoid a soggy salad.
Yes! You can prep all the components in advance, boil the eggs, cook and slice the chicken, chop the veggies, and make the dressing. Store everything separately in airtight containers in the fridge, and assemble just before serving for the freshest results.
🍽️ More Recipes You'll Love
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- Honey Garlic Chicken BitesRecipe $3.98 / Serving $1.00
- Soy Garlic Chicken WingsRecipe $8.05/ Serving $2.01
- Crispy Baked Chicken QuartersRecipe $3.57 / Serving $0.89
🐝 If you tried this Blackened Chicken Salad, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Blackened Chicken Salad
Ingredients
Blackened Chicken
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 2 breasts - ($2.67)
- 1 teaspoon paprika - ($0.08)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder - ($0.08)
- 1 teaspoon oregano or Italian seasoning - ($0.08)
- ½ teaspoon salt - ($0.01)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper - ($0.02)
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning or cayenne pepper - ($0.08)
- olive oil, for cooking
Salad
- 3-4 cups mixed greens - ($2.98)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - ($1.49)
- 1 large cucumber, sliced - ($0.84)
- 1 bell pepper, sliced into strips - ($1.48)
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced - ($0.24)
- 1 small avocado, sliced - ($1.00)
- 1 medium carrot, shredded - ($0.21)
- ¼ cup cheddar cheese, shredded - ($0.28)
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced - ($0.80)
Spicy Ranch Dressing
- 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt - ($0.12)
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, optional - ($0.06)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice - ($0.04)
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce or sriracha, to taste - ($0.02)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder, optional - ($0.08)
- salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Boil eggs. Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a rolling boil, boil 5 minutes, then remove from heat and let sit until slightly cooled. Transfer to cold water, peel, and slice.
- Season chicken. In a small bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning. Pat chicken dry and coat evenly with seasoning.
- Cook chicken. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 6 to 7 minutes per side until blackened and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Rest 5 minutes, then slice.
- Make dressing. Whisk Greek yogurt, mayonnaise if using, lime juice, hot sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth. Adjust to taste.
- Assemble salad. Arrange mixed greens in a large bowl or on plates. Top with tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, avocado, carrot, cheese, and sliced eggs. Add sliced chicken.
- Serve. Drizzle with dressing or toss gently to coat. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Prep Tips. Wash and dry greens thoroughly. Let chicken rest 5 to 10 minutes before slicing to keep it juicy.
- Make Ahead. Eggs and dressing can be prepared up to 1 day ahead. Store components separately and assemble before serving.
- Add-Ins. Beans, nuts, seeds, fruit, or pickled vegetables like jalapeños work well.
Nutritional Information
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Nicole Durham says
This salad recipe is a real keeper!