Start by preparing your dressing. In a small bowl, combine the honey, rice vinegar, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, sesame oil, and a pinch of salt. Mix well until all ingredients are fully combined and smooth. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dressing until you’re ready to serve.
Next, let’s set up a dredging station to prepare the chicken. In a small bowl, mix together the flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. This will be your dry dredging mixture. In another small bowl, beat the egg and milk together until fully combined. Place the panko bread crumbs in a shallow dish for the final coating.
Now it’s time to heat the oil. In a heavy-duty pot, pour in the peanut oil and heat it over medium heat until it reaches about 350°F. This step is crucial for achieving that perfect crispy chicken.
While the oil is heating, dredge each chicken strip one at a time. First, coat the chicken in the flour mixture, ensuring it’s evenly covered. Then dip it into the egg mixture before finally coating it with the panko bread crumbs. Make sure each strip is fully coated for the best crunch!
Once the oil is hot, carefully add the breaded chicken strips to the pot. Fry them in batches to avoid overcrowding, flipping them halfway through the cooking process. They should cook until each side is a rich golden brown. This step usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes per batch.
After frying, transfer the chicken strips to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Let them cool for a few minutes before dicing them into bite-sized pieces.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped romaine hearts, red cabbage, shredded carrots, sliced almonds, green onions, and chow mein noodles. Toss these ingredients together to distribute them evenly.
Once the vegetables are mixed, add the diced chicken to the salad. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the top, and gently toss everything together until the salad is well coated. You can serve it immediately or allow each person to toss their serving individually.
For maximum freshness, consider dressing only the portion of salad you’ll be eating immediately. This keeps the ingredients crisp and appealing.
Finally, enjoy your homemade Applebees Oriental Chicken Salad! It’s perfect as a light lunch or a satisfying dinner.
