Fried chicken is one of those things that I get a hankering for from time to time and I happen to love it on a crisp salad! There is something about a crisp salad topped with warm crunchy fried chicken that is just the best of combos. Most of the time I tend to bake my “fried chicken” for a healthier version, but every now and then I just have to fry it just like all of the southern women in my family before me. This recipe for Southern fried chicken, spinach, and berry salad with a yogurt chive dressing is going to become your favorite summer salad I can guarantee it!
What I love about this salad is you could make it a year round salad just by swapping out the fruit based on what is in season. Pears, apples, and grapes for the fall, and berries or even peaches for the summer all work with the flavor combinations here. I love the sweet fruit with the crispy chicken, fresh spinach, candied almonds, and creamy yogurt chive dressing! It has all of the textures and flavors that a good salad needs.
If you are intimidated to fry your own chicken, don’t be. It really isn’t as hard as you might think, especially because we are using chicken tenders here which cook quickly making it even easier on you. I like to marinate the chicken in a buttermilk mixture which tenderizes the chicken and provides the perfect coating for the flour mixture to stick too. I make it easy on you by simply coating the chicken in the flour mixture inside of a plastic zipper bag. Shake it up and fry it up, so easy and it turns out perfect every time!
You are truly going to love this recipe and will love having this fry method on hand anytime you want fried chicken. The dressing is also super delicious and is great to have on hand in the fridge for salads any day of the week.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 Lbs. Chicken Tenders
2 Cups All Purpose Flour
1 Tsp. Black Pepper
1 Tsp. Salt
1 Tsp. Paprika
1 Tsp. Garlic Powder
1 Tsp. Cajun Seasoning (I use Tony Chachere’s)
2 Cups Buttermilk
2 Cups Avocado Oil (for frying)
4 Cups Spinach
1 Cup Mixed Greens
1 Cup Fresh Strawberries
1/2 Cup Blueberries
1/2 Cup Blackberries
For the Candied Almonds-
1 1/2 Cups Raw Almonds
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
2 Tbsp. Water
Pinch of Salt
For the dressing-
1 Cup Plain Yogurt (not Greek)
1 Cup Buttermilk
2 Tbsp. Mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. Maple Syrup
1 Finely Minced Garlic Clove
1 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
1 Tsp. Salt
1 /2 Tsp. Black pepper
1 Tbsp. Fresh Chives
Directions:
Combine buttermilk with Cajun seasoning and half of the black pepper in a large bowl and add chicken tenders. Let marinate at least an hour, but up to overnight.
Make candied almonds by adding brown sugar, water, and salt to a nonstick skillet over medium heat and cook until brown sugar starts to bubble and melt. Add almonds and coat with the melted sugar and cook another 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and cool in a single layer on parchment. Break up pieces after cooled.
In a large cast iron skillet add oil and heat to medium high heat until a drop of flour sizzles in the oil to let you know it’s hot enough.
While oil is heating combine flour, paprika, the rest of the pepper, salt, and garlic powder in a large plastic zipper bag and shake to mix. Add chicken tenders and shake again to thoroughly coat the tenders.
Fry 4-5 tenders at a time, careful to not crowd the pan, about 5-6 minutes per side until chicken is golden on both sides and cooked through. (Adjust heat to lower if tenders are getting brown too fast.)
Remove chicken to a cooling rack over a baking sheet and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
While chicken is frying, make the dressing by combining yogurt, buttermilk, mayo, maple syrup, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper and chives. Whisk until smooth and chill until ready to serve.
Assemble spinach, mixed greens, berries, and candied almonds on a platter.
Chop chicken tenders roughly and add to the salad and drizzle with yogurt dressing as desired.
Tell me you don’t want to dive right into that salad! I mean it’s just SO good y’all! Make sure to pin this souther fried chicken, spinach, and berry salad to make anytime you want a restaurant quality salad right at home.