Pittsburgh Chicken Salad

Who says a salad can’t be fun and delicious? This Pittsburgh Chicken Salad is a take on a regional classic and has all the goods.

Enjoy the combination of chili-rubbed chicken, crispy fries, and creamy ranch dressing! This salad is a party in your mouth with a slightly healthier twist that will ensure no regrets.

Jump to:

• 💚 Why You'll Love This Recipe
• 🧂 Ingredients Needed
• 🔪 Instructions
• ❔ FAQs
• 💭 Expert Tips and Tricks
• 💡 Substitutions and Variations
• 🥫 Storage and Reheating
• 🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
• ✔️ More Salad Recipes You'll Love
• 📋 Recipe Card
• 💬 Reviews and Comments

💚 Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Easy to Make: With only a few steps involved, this Pittsburgh Salad recipe can be made quickly and easily, making it a great option for a complete meal any night of the week.
• Flavorful: The cajun rub on the chicken and the addition of sliced cucumbers, grape tomatoes, cheese, and ranch dressing provide a range of flavors and textures to the dish.
• Satisfying: With the addition of chicken, veggies, and french fries, this salad is a filling meal that leaves you satisfied.
• Customizable: If you have personal preferences or dietary restrictions, you can easily customize this recipe by swapping out ingredients or adjusting the seasoning to your liking.
• Balanced meal: This recipe includes a variety of vegetables, protein, and carbohydrates, making it a well-rounded and balanced meal option.

🧂 Ingredients Needed

• Chicken Cutlets: Chicken cutlets are thin, boneless pieces of chicken that have been pounded or sliced to an even thickness. Chicken cutlets cook quickly and are leaner than other cuts of chicken, making them a healthier choice. If you can't find chicken cutlets in the grocery store, buy chicken breasts and slice them in half lengthwise to make cutlets.
• Cajun Rub: The cajun rub is used to season the chicken cutlets and adds a blend of spices and herbs that give the chicken a distinctive and flavorful taste. Use your favorite store bought cajun rub or make your own.
• French Fries: French fries are added to the salad to provide a crispy and crunchy texture. Frozen fries work great here.
• Lettuce Mix: The lettuce mix serves as the base of the salad and provides a variety of leafy greens that are high in nutrients and low in calories. I used a mixture of romaine lettuce and iceberg lettuce with a little bit of kale for added health benefits.
• Cucumber: The sliced cucumber adds a refreshing crunch to the salad and provides a source of vitamins and minerals.
• Grape Tomatoes: The grape tomatoes add a burst of sweetness and juiciness to the salad, as well as providing a source of vitamins and antioxidants.
• Red Onions: Red onions are sweeter and milder making them perfect to enjoy in a salad.
• Shredded Cheese: Shredded cheese adds a rich and creamy flavor to the salad. Shred your favorite cheddar cheese or use a prepared shredded cheese mix.
• Ranch Dressing: I prefer a homemade ranch dressing on this salad as it adds a tangy and creamy flavor to the dish, but feel free to use your favorite dressing. Don't be afraid to experiment with different dressings to change up the flavors!

🔪 Instructions

1. Rub chicken cutlets with oil and Cajun seasoning, then air fry at 400 degrees F for 4 minutes on each side.
2. Season french fries with salt and pepper if desired, then air fry at 400 degrees for 15 to 18 minutes or until crispy and golden brown. Give the air fryer basket a shake once or twice while cooking.
3. Evenly divide lettuce between bowls.
4. Add cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions to salad bowls and sprinkle with cheese.

5. Slice each chicken cutlet into strips and add to the top of each salad, then follow with hot fries.
6. Drizzle with ranch dressing or any dressing of choice.

❔ FAQs

💭 Expert Tips and Tricks

• Chicken breasts can be cut in half to make chicken cutlets if you're not able to find them in the store.
• Ore Ida Zesty Straight Fries are a great option if you don't want to worry about seasoning your fries!
• Slice your onions super thin for the best results.
• You can prepare the chicken and fries in the oven if you don't have an air fryer or prefer to bake them.

📌 French fries on a salad is an unexpected twist that makes having this Pittsburgh salad for dinner a lot more fun! The fries add a crunchy texture and they're much tastier than plain croutons.

💡 Substitutions and Variations

• Use sliced steak instead of chicken breast to make a Pittsburgh Steak Salad.
• Add a hard-boiled egg for added flavor and protein.
• Use waffle fries or another kind of fries if you like.
• Instead of using Cajun rub, try using a different spice blend or marinade to season the chicken. You could use lemon pepper seasoning, garlic and herb marinade, or even a spicy chipotle rub.
• You can customize the salad by adding additional vegetables like sliced green peppers, shredded carrots, or chopped broccoli. This will add more color, flavor, and texture to the dish.
• Instead of using a standard bag of mixed greens, try using a different type of lettuce like arugula, spinach, or kale. This will add more nutrients and different flavors to the salad.
• If you don't like shredded cheese, try using crumbled feta or blue cheese instead. This will add a tangy and salty flavor to the salad.
• Instead of using ranch dressing, try using a balsamic vinaigrette, honey mustard dressing, or a homemade avocado salad dressing. This will add different flavors and textures to the salad.
• If you like heat, add sliced jalapenos or red pepper flakes to the salad. This will add a spicy kick to the dish.
• To add some crunch, try adding sliced almonds, sunflower seeds, or chopped walnuts to the salad. This will also add some healthy fats and protein to the dish.

🥫 Storage and Reheating

I recommend eating this salad right away if possible. If you do need to store leftovers, separate the chicken and fries from the other ingredients and store in an airtight container.

When it comes time to eat your Pittsburgh salad leftovers, reheat your chicken and fries in the oven or air fryer and re-assemble the dish.

🍴 What To Serve With This Dish

While this salad is a full and round meal in and of itself, here are a few options for additional sides you could pair for a true feast! Serve with Roasted Red Pepper Soup for a classic soup and salad combo, add a Cornbread Casserole on the side, or pair your salad with Air Fryer Corn Ribs or Stovetop Mac and Cheese.

📋 Recipe Card