Green Goddess Nugget Salad (Print Version)

Crunchy nuggets atop shredded cabbage, tossed with creamy green goddess dressing for a fresh, light meal.

# Components:

→ Chicken Nuggets

01 - 16 frozen chicken nuggets
02 - Cooking spray

→ Salad

03 - 4 cups green cabbage, finely shredded
04 - 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped
05 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
06 - 1 cup sugar snap peas, thinly sliced
07 - ½ cup green onions, thinly sliced
08 - ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
09 - ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped

→ Green Goddess Dressing

10 - ½ cup Greek yogurt
11 - ¼ cup mayonnaise
12 - ¼ cup fresh parsley leaves
13 - ¼ cup fresh basil leaves
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives
15 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
16 - 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
17 - 1 clove garlic
18 - 2 anchovy fillets (optional)
19 - ¼ teaspoon salt
20 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

# Method:

01 - Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to heat.
02 - Arrange chicken nuggets in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, spray lightly with cooking spray, and air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, turning once halfway through, until golden and crisp. Remove and let cool slightly, then cut into bite-sized pieces.
03 - In a large bowl, mix shredded green cabbage, chopped romaine, diced cucumber, sliced sugar snap peas, green onions, parsley, and basil until well combined.
04 - Blend Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, parsley leaves, basil leaves, chives, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, garlic, anchovy fillets if using, salt, and black pepper in a blender or food processor until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
05 - Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss thoroughly to ensure even coating.
06 - Top the dressed salad with warm chicken nugget pieces and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The contrast between warm, crunchy nuggets and ice-cold, herb-dressed greens creates this addictive texture that keeps you coming back for more bites.
  • It's ready in under 40 minutes and feels way fancier than the minimal effort it actually requires.
  • The green goddess dressing is so good you'll find yourself drizzling it on everything else in your fridge for days afterward.
02 -
  • Dress your salad at the absolute last second; the cabbage will begin to soften and lose its crunch if it sits in the dressing for more than a few minutes, and that crunch is everything.
  • Let the nuggets cool for just a minute after air frying before cutting them; this lets them firm up slightly and makes them less likely to fall apart into tiny crumbles.
03 -
  • If your dressing tastes too rich, add another squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a splash more vinegar; acid is your friend when dealing with creamy dressings.
  • Toast some seeds or nuts to sprinkle on top if you want to add an extra dimension of texture and nutrition without changing the essential character of the salad.
Return