Layered mason jar salad featuring crispy chicken bites, bacon, blue cheese, eggs, and fresh vegetables with tangy dressing.
# Ingredient List:
→ Crispy Chicken
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1 cup buttermilk
03 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
04 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
09 - Olive oil spray
→ Salad Base
10 - 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
11 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
12 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
13 - 2 large hard-boiled eggs, peeled and quartered
14 - 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
15 - 1 avocado, diced
16 - 1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled
17 - 1/2 small red onion, finely sliced
→ Dressing
18 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
19 - 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
20 - 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
21 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
22 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
23 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
24 - Salt and pepper to taste
# Steps:
01 - Submerge chicken pieces in buttermilk and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to tenderize and prepare for coating.
02 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. In a mixing bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Remove chicken from buttermilk, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Coat each piece thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture and arrange in single layer on prepared baking sheet. Lightly mist with olive oil spray.
04 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before assembly.
05 - In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, white wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and fresh chives until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Distribute dressing evenly among four 16-ounce mason jars using 2 tablespoons per jar as the base layer. Follow with successive layers: cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, crumbled bacon, blue cheese, hard-boiled eggs, crispy chicken, and romaine lettuce.
07 - Top each jar with diced avocado or reserve for immediate serving to prevent oxidation. Seal jars tightly with lids and refrigerate until consumption.
08 - Shake jar vigorously or transfer contents to serving bowl and toss to distribute dressing evenly before eating.
