Description
This Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad Copycat recipe recreates the beloved restaurant favorite with crispy fried chicken strips atop a fresh romaine salad mix, crunchy chow mein noodles, and slivered almonds, all drizzled with a tangy, honey-Dijon dressing. Perfect for a flavorful, satisfying meal in about 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Chicken
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ⅔ cup water, divided
- 1½ cups vegetable oil, for frying
Salad
- 9.5 ounces romaine salad mix (1 bag)
- 1 cup chow mein noodles
- ½ cup slivered almonds
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: Combine the sesame oil, mayonnaise, honey, rice vinegar, and Dijon mustard in a mason jar or bowl. Shake or whisk well until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.
- Heat oil for frying: Pour vegetable oil into a large skillet and heat over medium heat until hot and ready for frying.
- Prep flour mixtures: In the first bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and black pepper. Transfer ⅓ cup of this seasoned flour mixture into a second bowl.
- Mix batter: Add 2 tablespoons of water to the first bowl containing the flour mixture and stir with a fork until it forms a clumpy batter. Add the remaining water (approximately ⅓ cup) to the second bowl and whisk until smooth and runny.
- Coat the chicken: Dip each chicken breast piece first into the runny batter, then dredge it thoroughly in the clumpy flour mixture. Place coated chicken pieces on a plate while you finish coating all pieces.
- Fry the chicken: Carefully add the chicken pieces to the hot oil in the skillet. Fry for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Allow to cool slightly, then slice into strips.
- Assemble the salad: Add the romaine salad mix to a large salad bowl. Top with the sliced fried chicken, chow mein noodles, and slivered almonds.
- Dress and serve: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad. Toss gently if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- The frying step requires maintaining medium heat to avoid burning the chicken while ensuring it is cooked through.
- You can substitute the romaine salad mix with fresh romaine lettuce and mixed greens if preferred.
- For a lighter version, bake the coated chicken at 400°F for 20-25 minutes instead of frying.
- Ensure the oil temperature is hot enough before frying to get a crispy crust; about 350°F is ideal.
- Use fresh slivered almonds and chow mein noodles to maintain the signature crunch in the salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
