Air Fryer Peach Avocado Chicken Salad & Honey Balsamic Dressing
Juicy air fryer chicken in only 8 minutes w/ fresh peaches, avocado, feta cheese, toasted pumpkin seeds & a quick honey balsamic salad dressing for a nutrient-dense and flavor-rich salad. It’s sure to spoil yourself and impress your guests!
Could your typical salad routine use a fresh twist? Get ready for ‘freshness meets deliciousness’ with my peach avocado chicken salad.
Sweet, juicy peaches are mixed with crisp leafy greens, and smooth, lightly salted avocado. Juicy chicken cooked in only 8 minutes in an air fryer turns this salad into a satisfying, high-protein meal. Then it’s sprinkled with flavorful feta cheese crumbles and butter-toasted pumpkin seeds. It’s all tied together with a drizzle of honey-kissed balsamic dressing, perfectly balancing the sweet, salty, and tangy flavors. If you haven’t made your own salad dressing before, this one is fool-proof.
My air fryer chicken turns out perfect every time and can be batch prepped for your weekly entres.
Why You’ll Love My Air Fryer Peach Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe
- It’s easy to prep, and the air fryer chicken only takes 8 minutes to cook.
- The flavors are rich and vibrant.
- All the simple ingredients are easily digestible for a gentle tummy.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make the best-tasting air fryer peach avocado chicken salad & honey balsamic dressing recipe:
Chicken Breast: If you prefer an alternative to chicken breast, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, turkey breast, or tofu for a vegetarian version.
Peach: While fresh peaches are recommended for their natural sweetness and juiciness, you can substitute them with canned or frozen peaches if fresh ones are unavailable. Just ensure that they are drained and thawed if using canned or frozen peaches.
Avocado: If you’re not a fan of avocado or it’s not readily available, consider substituting it with cucumber, bell pepper, or even mango slices for a different flavor profile.
Spring Lettuce Mix: This recipe uses a spring lettuce mix, but you can easily replace it with your preferred salad greens, such as spinach, arugula, or romaine lettuce.
Feta Cheese: If you’re not a fan of feta cheese, other cheeses like goat cheese, blue cheese, or even shredded cheddar can be used as suitable substitutes.
Pumpkin Seeds: If you don’t have pumpkin seeds on hand, you can use sunflower seeds, pine nuts, or chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts for a crunchy element.
Balsamic Vinegar: In place of balsamic vinegar, you can use red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or white wine vinegar for a slightly different flavor profile.
Honey: Substitute honey with maple syrup, agave nectar, or a different liquid sweetener if you prefer.
Olive Oil: Feel free to replace olive oil with other neutral oils like canola or vegetable oil if you prefer a milder oil flavor.
Garlic Powder: If you don’t have garlic powder, use finely minced fresh garlic or even garlic paste for a more pronounced garlic flavor.
Salt and Pepper: Adjust the quantity of salt and pepper to your taste preference. If you prefer other seasonings, consider using herbs like basil, thyme, or oregano for added flavor.
How Do You Make My Peach Chicken Salad & Honey Dressing Recipe?
Step 1: Air Fry the Chicken
Place a boneless skinless chicken breast in a plastic bag or between two sheets of plastic and pound with a meat tenderizer or rolling pin until it is an even thickness.
Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with coarse sea salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
Spray the inside of the air fryer basket or tray with oil. (Use a non-aerosol pump-style oil spray with no propellant to avoid damaging the inside of your air fryer).
Place the chicken breast inside the basket or on the tray and insert it into air fryer. Air fry at 400°F for 8 minutes. Flip the chicken breast over halfway.
Check the internal temperature of the chicken at the end of the 8 minutes. If the temperature is not at least 165°F, air fry for several more minutes.
Once the internal temperature has reached 165°F, remove the chicken from the air fryer and place it on a plate to ‘rest’ for 15 minutes to seal in the juices.
Step 3: Make the Salad Dressing
Add the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to a small bowl. Stir until well combined.
Step 2: Toast the Pumpkin Seeds
Add one teaspoon of butter to a small frying pan over medium heat. Add pumpkin seeds and a dash of salt. Stir the seeds to coat them in the butter. Continue stirring occasionally until you begin to hear the seeds popping, and they turn an amber color. Remove from heat and place on a paper-towel-lined plate to cool.
Step 4: Layer the Salad
Add lettuce to the salad bowl. Then pour the desired amount of dressing and mix.
Add 1/2 of a peach. You can chop it into wedges or chunks.
Add 1/4 of an avocado chopped into bite-size pieces.
Add chopped chicken.
Sprinkle with feta cheese and pumpkin seeds.
Then enjoy!!
Peach Chicken Salad Recipe Notes
Pounding the Chicken: Pounding the chicken breast to an even thickness helps it cook more evenly in the air fryer. This step ensures that the chicken remains tender and juicy.
Chicken Temperature: To ensure that the chicken is thoroughly cooked, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should reach at least 165°F (74°C) before removing it from the air fryer. Keep in mind that the chicken will continue cooking as it rests, so avoid overcooking to prevent dryness.
Resting the Chicken: Allowing the cooked chicken to rest for 15 minutes after air frying is crucial. This resting period helps lock in the juices, resulting in a more succulent and flavorful chicken.
Toasting Pumpkin Seeds: Toasting the pumpkin seeds enhances their flavor and crunch. Be cautious while toasting, as they can quickly go from golden brown to burnt. Keep an eye on them, and stir occasionally for even toasting.
Avocado Preparation: To prevent the avocado from browning too quickly, prepare it just before serving. If you need to prepare it in advance, drizzle a little lemon or lime juice over the avocado to help maintain its color.
Make-Ahead: You can prepare the honey balsamic dressing in advance and store it in the refrigerator for a convenient, quick salad preparation.
Serving: This salad is best enjoyed immediately while the ingredients are fresh and the chicken is still warm. If you plan to make it ahead, store the components separately and assemble just before serving.
Peach Avocado Chicken Salad w/ Honey Balsamic Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1 peach
- 1/2 avocado
- 4 cups spring lettuce mix
- 1/4 cup feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
Honey Balsamic Dressing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- dash pepper
Instructions
Air Fryer Chicken:
- Place a boneless skinless chicken breast in a plastic bag or between two sheets of plastic and pound with a meat tenderizer or rolling pin until it is an even thickness.Drizzle with olive oil and spread on both sides of the chicken with your hand or a pastry brush.Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with coarse sea salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.Spray the inside of the air fryer basket or tray with oil. (Use a non-aerosol pump-style oil spray with no propellant to avoid damaging the inside of your air fryer).Place the chicken breast inside the basket or on the tray and insert it into air fryer. Air fry at 400°F for 8 minutes. Flip the chicken breast over halfway.Check the internal temperature of the chicken at the end of the 8 minutes. If the temperature is not at least 165°F, air fry for several more minutes. Once the internal temperature has reached 165°F, remove the chicken from the air fryer and place it on a plate to 'rest' for 15 minutes to seal in the juices.
Toasted Pumpkin Seeds:
- Add one teaspoon of butter to a small frying pan over medium heat. Add pumpkin seeds and a dash of salt. Stir the seeds to coat them in the butter. Continue stirring occasionally until you begin to hear the seeds popping, and they turn an amber color. Remove from heat and place on a paper-towel-lined plate to cool.
Honey Balsamic Salad Dressing:
- Add the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to a small bowl. Stir until well combined.
Salad Construction:
- Add lettuce to the salad bowl. Then pour the desired amount of dressing and mix. Add 1/2 of a peach. You can chop it into wedges or chunks.Add 1/4 of an avocado chopped into bite-size pieces.Add chopped chicken.Sprinkle with feta cheese and pumpkin seeds.
