There is something oddly intriguing about the name Pancake Chicken Salad. I was looking through the index of one of my cookbooks when I first read it, and I couldn’t help but wonder exactly what it entailed. Is it crepe-like pancakes stuffed with creamy chicken salad? Or maybe chicken salad fried into pancake shape? The stranger the ideas that came into my head, the more the recipe piqued my interest…and the name alone just wasn’t enough, I had to read the full recipe.
It turns out that this salad is basically battered and shallow fried chicken served over greens. Not quite as interesting as what I conjured up in my mind, but still every bit as delicious. The name comes from the pancake-like batter (similar to a batter you might use for a fish fry, except much more flavorful) that is spiced with garlic and Indian spices like coriander, ginger, and turmeric, which gives it the prettiest shade of pale yellow.
The cookbook I found this gem of a recipe in is none other than Margaret M. Johnson’s The Irish Pub Cookbook, the same cookbook that inspired my Guinness Beef Stew last year. This recipe is from a pub called The Meetings, located in the Vale of Avoca in County Wicklow. The pub takes its name from the junction where the Avonmore and Avonbeag Rivers meet. Of the food there, Margaret says “[It] is wholesome and hearty, but with a twenty-first century touch, thanks to chef Dermot Moore…”
I know this salad may sound strange, but it really works! And the raspberry-mustard vinaigrette is the perfect finishing touch.
Pancake Chicken Salad with Raspberry-Mustard Vinaigrette (Adapted from Margaret M. Johnson’s The Irish Pub Cookbook)
(Yield: 2 servings)
Raspberry-Mustard Vinaigrette (recipe below)
1 large egg
1/4 c milk (low-fat or fat-free is fine)
1 large clove garlic, grated
1/2 c all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp each ground turmeric, coriander, and ginger
2 (4-6 oz) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into 3-4 strips
4-6 c field greens (or any lettuce you like)
2 TB dried cherries
Canola oil
Raspberry-Mustard Vinaigrette:
1 TB white wine vinegar (or rice vinegar)
1 TB olive oil
1 TB raspberry jam
1 tsp Dijon mustard
Pinch of salt and pepper
Preheat oven to 400F and lightly brush canola oil on a baking sheet. In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients for the vinaigrette and set aside for now.
In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, milk, and garlic. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and spices. Gradually whisk dry ingredients into wet, being careful not to over-mix; let batter rest 5 minutes.
Put 1 1/2 to 2 inches of canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat; when oil is hot (it should be somewhere around 350-375F; for a way to see if the oil is the right temperature without a thermometer, see here), dredge chicken in batter and cook until lightly browned (about 1-2 minutes per side). Transfer chicken to prepared baking pan and bake until fully cooked (about 15 minutes). (Chicken is fully cooked when there is no pink inside.) Once fully cooked, transfer chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
To assemble the salads, divide the field greens between 2 plates, sprinkle on the dried cherries and dressing, and top with the chicken.
I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to 
Rosa says
February 20, 2011 at 2:45 pmThose look so good! What a wonderful salad.
Cheers,
Rosa
Betty @ scrambled hen fruit says
February 20, 2011 at 3:33 pmThat looks really tasty, though it doesn’t look anything like the picture I saw in my head when I saw the title of the post. :) The only way to get my son to eat salad is to put some kind of meat on top of it. He’ll love this!
Priya says
February 20, 2011 at 3:50 pmYumm, thats a wonderful salad..
Nicole says
February 20, 2011 at 4:03 pmThis is really interesting, it is that time of year to start pulling out the Irish cookbooks again.
BeadedTail says
February 20, 2011 at 4:08 pmThe name is very intriguing and it sure looks good! Looks like a yummy salad!
LeQuan says
February 20, 2011 at 4:19 pmI’ll have to say, when I first saw the title I didn’t know what to expect. Your versions do sound quite interesting. I’m impressed with how perfectly cooked your chicken is here. That’s hard to do with this method of cooking. This looks yummy, and sounds wonderful with that raspberry-mustard vinaigrette. Hope you’re enjoying your weekend, Faith.
Michelle says
February 20, 2011 at 5:03 pmDefinitely different, but in a really good way. :)
nancy at good food matters says
February 20, 2011 at 5:06 pmI had never heard of pancake chicken salad either, and I must say that I’m pleasantly surprised by both the recipes, and the result! looks terrific, and I like the touch of raspberry jam in the vinaigrette.
Sharon @ Fun and Life says
February 20, 2011 at 6:10 pmThe title of this certainly made me curious to see what it is! Raspberry-mustard vinaigrette sounds delicious! Pancake chicken looks so yummy! Reminds me a little of chicken nuggets. Great dish Faith! :D
Anh says
February 20, 2011 at 6:43 pmwhat a name!:) I am totally in for this salad!
aipi says
February 20, 2011 at 6:55 pmWonderful looking..must be treat for chicken lovers :)
US Masala
Reeni says
February 20, 2011 at 7:23 pmThe spicy pancake batter sounds sensational Faith! As does the entire salad – love the dressing too.
Carol says
February 20, 2011 at 7:28 pmIt sounds interesting, I’d try it on the name alone, but I love everything that’s in the dish! Faith, it looks delicious!
Maria @ Scandi Foodie says
February 20, 2011 at 8:08 pmI certainly like the sound of this salad and I’d love some for lunch right now! :-)
Dana says
February 20, 2011 at 10:12 pmWhat a fun recipe! I’ve never had anything like this, but it sounds delicious!
Priyanka says
February 20, 2011 at 10:16 pmGoing by the title of the post, I was wondering what the dish would look like. Looks really nice.
Monet says
February 21, 2011 at 12:00 amAll you had to say was pancake like batter…I’m sold! I love the unique name of this salad, and I love how the chicken looks even more. Yummy! Thank you for sharing tonight! I hope you have a great Monday, my friend.
Veronica says
February 21, 2011 at 12:41 amI like how thick the batter is on the chicken–I wasn’t expecting that! Sounds so yummy.
Katerina says
February 21, 2011 at 2:20 amIreland is a place I would love to visit. This salad with these panned chicken bites makes me think that salads can be very interesting and moutwatering if one can put the right ingredients in them.
Debs @ DKC says
February 21, 2011 at 3:57 amSounds delicious, will have to try this recipe soon.
Thanks for sharing.
Honey @ honeyandsoy says
February 21, 2011 at 4:35 amWhen I read pancake chicken I was wondering what that was too! The chicken looks lovely in that cross-section photo! It would be delicious with the raspberry vinaigrette!
Chiara says
February 21, 2011 at 5:43 amhahaha I had your same reaction when I read the name of the recipe… I started imagining the craziest things involving pancakes and chicken salad! It sounds like a good recipe… fried chicken is always good!
MaryMoh says
February 21, 2011 at 6:31 amOh wow…that looks pretty and interesting. Love the name. they look so neat and delicious. I love it!
Blond Duck says
February 21, 2011 at 7:06 amThat is so interesting!
Steve @ HPD says
February 21, 2011 at 7:38 amnow, when i read “pancake fried chicken,” i was guessing it was like smacked-flat chicken, fried. but this sounds wonderful!
Diane says
February 21, 2011 at 7:58 amInteresting recipe, it sounds delicious. Diane
marla {family fresh cooking} says
February 21, 2011 at 8:05 amYes, you had me at pancake chicken. Had not a clue what that would be. Looks delicious Faith. The vinaigrette is a great idea too. The perfect amount of “crisp” on the chicken :) xo
deana@lostpastremembered says
February 21, 2011 at 9:07 amYou’re right… I saw the name and went, “WHAT???” It is like a fry with a salad… I think it looks wonderful and love the spicing. must give a try.
Nicole, RD says
February 21, 2011 at 9:51 amHow unique! The name of the recipe would’ve piqued my interest too! Sure did with the title of your post :) It looks and sounds delicious!!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
February 21, 2011 at 12:04 pmFaith, your chicken looks so crispy and decadent and just delicious! What a wonderful recipe and creative meal idea. I’m always looking for something new to do with chicken, and this will fit the bill perfectly! Thanks for sharing.
Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather says
February 21, 2011 at 12:05 pmThat name is so interesting! I too would just want to make it out of curiosity.
The dressing sounds devine!
Megan says
February 21, 2011 at 12:11 pmOoooh. You have my interest! This sounds like a delicious way to have a salad…(and with salad weather on the way!!!! Woohoo!)…I can’t wait to add this to my must make list! :)
Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking says
February 21, 2011 at 12:32 pmThis looks so very good. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Looks like a good one to try!
Julie M. says
February 21, 2011 at 2:01 pmHow interesting and delicious all in one! I love the additions to the batter. That’s my kind of spices!
Swathi says
February 21, 2011 at 2:15 pmI was amazed by the name. Looks delicious though.
Angie's Recipes says
February 21, 2011 at 2:39 pmWhat a creative pancake salad! And it looks so good too!
Mia says
February 21, 2011 at 4:16 pmFaith , ur ideas and take at the very name are better than the recipe (of course its a hint that with ur kind of creativity a cook book should and will be on its way)
I lovee this pancake batter fried chicken and u have fried it to perfection Faith!
the salad is an amazing combi too!
No , i wont need to buy the book coz u pick the best of the best and feature them here!
And must try ur take on these!
Happyyy Monday!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
February 21, 2011 at 5:27 pmThis sounds delicious! I really like protein and salad together, that’s one of my favourite meals! :D
Raina says
February 21, 2011 at 5:48 pmWhen I saw the title, I just could not guess what it might be. But it really does sound great. It reminds me of chicken fingers at a Chinese restaurant only way better with the yummy spices you have used and that dressing sounds really good too:)
Evelyne@CheapEthnicEatz says
February 21, 2011 at 7:56 pmHow unusual and interesting. At first sight of the pic I was sure you got the title mixed up. Really cool concept.
Erica says
February 21, 2011 at 8:04 pmOw! The topping on that chicken is so thick! I love that its pancake like. A fun twist on chicken :) Hope your Monday treated you well.
Jen says
February 21, 2011 at 8:54 pmThanks Faith – I always learn something new when I stop by your lovely blog! I think that Pancake Chicken Salad is in my future – mmmm…!
Linda Wagner - Nutrition to Invigorate Mind, Body & Spirit says
February 21, 2011 at 9:00 pmwow, very inventive recipe!
Nutmeg Nanny says
February 21, 2011 at 9:53 pmThis looks great! I saw the title and I had no idea what to expect. I’m totally digging the pancake like batter.
Tanvi@SinfullySpicy says
February 21, 2011 at 10:44 pmThose look good.I could eat bowl fulls of those pancake chicken.Really new and unusual recipe for me and I knw my hubby wud love it.
5 Star Foodie says
February 21, 2011 at 11:00 pmI love the idea of this concept, the spices in the batter must make the dish very flavorful, and the raspberry-mustard vinaigrette is a perfect dressing here!
Katie@Cozydelicious says
February 21, 2011 at 11:19 pmWhat an amazing idea! So unique. I can;t wait to try this – so much fun and so much flavor!
Lu @ Done Dieting says
February 21, 2011 at 11:38 pmI love that these had Indian spices in them. They look good. I bet this batter would be awesome on cod. Yum!
Victoria says
February 22, 2011 at 12:10 amYou’re absolutely right! Although the name sounds, odd, it looks really appetizing, and even reminds me a bit of the way sweet and sour chicken is battered and fried, definitely a nice technique :)
Anna Johnston says
February 22, 2011 at 8:05 amFaith, this is really interesting & I don’t think I’ve seen anything like this before. It has got me intrigued :)
grace says
February 22, 2011 at 9:04 amnot what i expected to see, but terrific nonetheless! what a unique way to prepare poultry. :)
Lori@FakeFoodFree says
February 22, 2011 at 9:51 pmThis reminds me of one of my favorite meals, chicken and waffles! But with this one there is the extra benefit of some greens. :)Looks delicious!
A Canadian Foodie says
February 22, 2011 at 10:37 pmThese are like glorious little mini chicken nuggets – but the healthy kind. What a delightfully creative and fun recipe. This entire salad would also be delicious rolled up in a wrap. But, who needs the extra carbs. Looks gorgeous!
:)
Valerie
Krista says
February 23, 2011 at 10:10 amWhat a neat way to do up chicken!
FOODESSA says
February 23, 2011 at 1:56 pmI always do enjoy a sweet and sour vinaigrette with my chicken salad ;o)
Beautiful photos and so appetizing as well ;)
Ciao for now,
Claudia
Lucy says
February 23, 2011 at 5:31 pmThe spiced batter sounds like a delicious change to the standard fish-frying batters. A true treat for dinner!
Anshu Paul says
February 24, 2011 at 2:57 pmFirst frying…and then baking!!!! something new for me…will give it a try soon…