Friday, February 27, 2026

25 Best Salad Recipes (That Are Actually Exciting)

I LOVE a good salad. I get asked to bring salads to so many hangouts and holiday gatherings, and I am 100% happy about it every time because a good salad is so fun. They are just a big playground for flavors, textures, and color.

I love a side salad, a fancy salad, and a salad that counts as a meal. These are the ones my family comes back to again and again: crunchy, colorful, loaded with texture, and packed with lots and lots of punches of flavor. Obviously for me, it’s also ALL about the dressing. Give me all of it!

So here is my collection of 25 of my favorite salad recipes! The kind that make you want to put salad on the menu more often. 💛


Best Salad Recipes

Roasted peanut kale salad.

Roasted Peanut Kale Crunch Salad

OOOH BABY, this salad is so good! Crunchy kale and cabbage, fresh herbs and fresno peppers, chopped peanuts, and a perfect roasted peanut vinaigrette that tucks into all the salad nooks and crannies.

34 reviews / 4.9 average
Smashed potato salad in a bowl.

Crispy Smashed Potato Salad

Pickley salad, crispy potatoes, and creamy ranch – this smashed potato salad is the perfect summer combo!

10 reviews / 5 average
Crispy rice salad in a bowl.

Crispy Rice Salad with Cucumbers and Herbs

Paper-thin veggies, a shower of herbs, a pile of fried crispy red curry rice, and a limey garlicky vinaigrette all over top. This crispy rice salad is all I want to eat right now!

47 reviews / 4.9 average
Miso crunch salad in a bowl.

Miso Crunch Salad

Shredded cabbage and kale, shrimp, avocado, cilantro and chili-flavored peanuts, and the perfect sweet miso dressing.

34 reviews / 4.9 average
Green salad in a bowl with herbs.

Liz’s Bistro Salad

Crunchy, light, bright, and ultra-fresh. This French-inspired bistro salad is an absolute star as a side for nearly any dinner. Tender greens, fresh herbs, pickled onions, and a delicate vinaigrette on top.

20 reviews / 5 average
Beet and burrata salad in a bowl.

Beet and Burrata Salad with Fried Bread

This Beet and Burrata Salad is everything you need. Juicy beets and oranges, a creamy and luscious burrata scoop, peppery arugula, a quick vinaigrette, and crispy fried bread. SO MUCH YES!

20 reviews / 4.9 average
Pasta salad in a bowl.

The Best Pasta Salad

Super easy Pasta Salad – with pasta, tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, spicy salami, pepperoncini, olives, and easy Italian dressing. DANGEROUSLY GOOD.

124 reviews / 4.5 average
Elote quinoa salad in a bowl.

Elote Style Quinoa Salad

Elote Quinoa Salad made with velvety peppers confit, juicy sweet corn, homemade dressing, cotija cheese, lime, and spices. Perfect for summer and so, so good!

23 reviews / 4.9 average
Chicken salad in a bowl with cashews and wonton strips.

Napa Chicken Salad with Sesame Dressing

This Napa Chicken Salad is crunched up to the MAX! Fresh napa cabbage, juicy rotisserie chicken, a super easy homemade sesame dressing, and crunchy handfuls of cashews, fried wonton strips, dried ramen noodles, crispy fried onions, or sesame sticks…the choice is yours!

18 reviews / 4.7 average
Salad with salmon on top.

The Oliver’s Salad

We’re bringing you the most beautiful salad inspired by the restaurant Oliver’s in Minnesota. Tender salmon, savory peppers and garlic confit, buttery chunks of avocado, fire-roasted corn, bacon bits, and a river of homemade smoky ranch dressing.

27 reviews / 4.9 average
Green salad in a bowl.

Simple Green Salad

Every table needs this Simple Green Salad! Fresh spring greens drizzled with a maple balsamic dressing and sprinkled with whatever crunchies your salad-loving heart desires.

28 reviews / 4.9 average
Roasted broccoli salad.

Liz’s Roasted Broccoli Salad

This Roasted Broccoli Salad is EVERYTHING! Bright lemon, crisped-up bacon, tangy feta, and it’s all built around a big bowl of roasted broccoli. A true hero of a meal!

61 reviews / 5 average
Cashew crunch salad.

Cashew Crunch Salad with Sesame Dressing

This Cashew Crunch Salad is loaded up with crunchy veg, chow mein noodles, edamame, and roasted cashews and it’ll make you ACTUALLY WANT TO EAT A SALAD. And the sesame dressing – OMG!

117 reviews / 4.9 average
Peanut soba noodle salad.

Spicy Peanut Soba Noodle Salad

This Spicy Peanut Soba Noodle Salad features red peppers, cabbage, chicken, soba noodles, and a quick homemade spicy peanut sauce. Salads don’t get much yummier than this.

91 reviews / 4.8 average
Shrimp and miso salad in a bowl.

Shrimp and Avocado Salad with Miso Dressing

This Shrimp and Avocado Salad is topped with spicy shrimp, crisp cucumbers, spinach, creamy avocado, and a generous drizzle of miso dressing. The happiest green salad ever!

62 reviews / 4.8 average
Chicken salad with grapes, blueberries, and cheese.

Rainbow Chicken Salad with Almond Honey Mustard Dressing

Tender chicken, plump grapes and berries, crisp lettuce, tangy feta cheese, crunchy almonds, and the real star – almond honey mustard dressing! Eat the rainbow and be glad, friends!

60 reviews / 4.9 average
Lemon herb pasta salad.

Lemon Herb Pasta Salad with Marinated Chickpeas

A super fresh, super summery Lemon Herb Pasta Salad! Packed with tangy marinated chickpeas, chewy pasta, lots of herbs and garlic, lemon juice and olive oil, and a handful of parmesan to top it off.

46 reviews / 4.9 average
Corn, avocado, and quinoa salad.

Corn, Avocado, and Quinoa Salad with Marinated Tomatoes

The perfect summery quinoa salad – fresh corn, buttery avocado, nutty quinoa, juicy marinated tomatoes, and tons of fresh herbs.

43 reviews / 4.9 average
Couscous salad in a bowl with sweet potatoes and black beans.

Couscous Salad with Lime Basil Vinaigrette

A bright, zippy, unexpectedly delicious couscous salad that’s packed with sweet potatoes, black beans, spinach, feta, and more – all tossed with a life-changing lime basil vinaigrette!

72 reviews / 4.9 average
Chopped thai salad with chicken.

Chopped Thai-Inspired Chicken Salad

This simple chopped Thai chicken salad has BIG flavors – peanut, lime, soy, chili, cilantro. Topped with a homemade peanut dressing! Healthy and fresh.

139 reviews / 4.9 average
Salad with grilled chicken, berries, corn, and cilantro vinaigrette.

Summer Chipotle Chicken Cobb Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette

This juicy salad tastes like summer! With chipotle chicken, sweet corn, avocado, cilantro vinaigrette, bacon crumbles, and fresh strawberries for a pop of sweetness.

81 reviews / 5 average
Kale salad with sweet potato fries.

Avocado Kale Caesar Salad + Sweet Potato Fries

Avocado Kale Caesar Salad is a life-changer! Kale, avocado, and crunchy seeds drenched in a quick creamy avocado caesar dressing that can easily be made vegan, too. Toss some crispy sweet potato fries in are you are SET FOR LIFE.

73 reviews / 4.9 average
Chicken salad in a bowl.

Super Yummy Chicken Salad

This Chicken Salad is so good! Protein-packed with a delicious creamy dressing, and perfect for an on-the-go lunch in a sandwich or wrap.

10 reviews / 5 average
Peanut noodle salad.

Peanut Noodle Salad

Peanut Noodle Salad – veggies, chicken, brown rice noodles, and an easy homemade dressing. My favorite salad ever!

59 reviews / 4.8 average
Brussels sprouts salad with bacon and almonds.

Bacon and Brussels Sprout Salad

This Bacon and Brussels Sprout Salad is a perfect side dish for holidays, with shaved brussels sprouts, chopped bacon, and a light citrus dressing.

32 reviews / 4.7 average

The post 25 Best Salad Recipes (That Are Actually Exciting) appeared first on Pinch of Yum.



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Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs on a cutting board

These Chicken Thighs Are a New House Favorite!

Lindsay Ostrom headshot.

Guys, I’ve been holding myself back from making these chicken thighs every single night. They’re so good. They go with almost anything, they’re extra juicy and crisped, and the kids and adults in my family BOTH approve!

I love them with so many things:

  • roasted potato wedges and a cucumber salad
  • a creamy pasta
  • a wrap, sandwich, or salad
  • a baked potato and some roasted veggies
  • just eating straight with a side of your favorite sauce! (all my favorite sauces here!)

The chicken is so so flavor-crusted and so finger-licking yummy that I still can hardly believe you can make it in the air fryer.

I have to fight my kids not to eat it all off the cutting board before it even makes it to the table.

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs at home

If you’ve made our air fryer chicken breasts (also amazing), the flavor on these chicken thighs is more savory. The OG chicken breast recipe has a brown sugar and smoked paprika base, whereas this one has paprika, garlic and onion, and a bit of oregano.

I have been LOVING these with a smoky paprika aioli (I’ll include that in the recipe notes – it is so yummy). I am making myself hungry just thinking about it.

Hope you guys love it!

Lindsay signature.

How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

1

Trim Chicken Thighs.

Optional, but I often cut off any little bits of fat that are on the edges of the chicken thighs.

Trimming the fat off the chicken thigh

2

Toss with Spices!

Get those chicken thighs totally coated! Like so.

Coating the chicken in spices

3

Air Fry for 11-13 Minutes.

Place in a single layer in the air fryer to cook evenly!

Putting the chicken thighs in the air fryer

4

It’s done!

Do a quick temp check – the inside should reach a minimum of 165 degrees (I use this meat thermometer to check).

Chicken thighs when they're done

5

Cut and Serve!

My daughter and my husband couldn’t wait for me to finish the photos. 🙂 I like to chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and squeeze a bit of lemon over the whole thing! So yummy.

Family eating air fryer chicken thighs on cutting board
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Food, Meat, Pork

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs


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Description

These air fryer chicken thighs are SO good. Super juicy, deeply golden, and ready in 15 minutes! Such an easy recipe that my whole family loves.


Ingredients

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

  • 1.25 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt (I’ve been using a fine-grained table salt for this)
  • a few cracks of freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • squeeze of lemon to finish

Instructions

  1. Trim the Chicken Thighs: Optional, but I usually cut off the little bits of fat (the chunkier white strips) from the edges of the chicken thighs.
  2. Season the Chicken: Toss the chicken thighs with the spices and olive oil. For the best flavor, let it marinate anywhere from 15 minutes to 2-3 hours in the fridge. (Also fine to skip if you’re short on time!)
  3. Air Fry Chicken: Air fry at 375 for 11-13 minutes, until deeply golden and a bit crisped on the outside, and at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit on the inside. (I use a meat thermometer to check!)
  4. Slice Chicken: Transfer chicken to a cutting board. Let it rest for a few minutes; cut into bite-sized pieces. Squeeze lemon over the top if you want.
  5. Serve: Serve with your favorite sauce (see notes for a smoky aioli that I love), baked potato or roasted veggies, in a rice bowl, or on a salad!

Notes

Smoky Paprika Aioli (my current favorite sauce with this): Whisk 1/2 cup mayo, 1/4 cup yogurt, 1 clove freshly grated garlic, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 2 tablespoons water, 1/4 teaspoon salt (more to taste).

Spice Coverage on The Chicken: Every package of chicken thighs is a slightly different size, so if your package is 1.5 pounds or more (or if you love a lot of spices), you may want to add a few extra shakes of spices to get more complete spice coverage!

Preheating the Air Fryer: I do not preheat my air fryer. I just put the chicken in, turn the air fryer on, and then make sure to use a meat thermometer to check that it’s completely cooked.

Lining the Air Fryer: I also don’t line the air fryer basket with anything. I just put the chicken thighs directly onto the grill grate. 

Flipping the Chicken: I also do not flip the chicken thighs halfway through. I’ve tried it, but I like the texture better with just the top being crispy and the underside being a bit juicy. If you think you want both the top and bottom to be crisped up a bit, you can air fry for 8-9 minutes, then flip and cook for another 5 minutes to get both sides a bit crisped. 

  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Air Fryer
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: air fryer chicken, air fryer chicken thighs, air fryer recipe

Frequently Asked Questions For This Recipe

Can you use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes! I would suggest cutting them horizontally into thinner pieces (follow the directions in this recipe) and then air frying them at 375 for 9-10 minutes.

Can I make these chicken thighs in the oven instead of an air fryer?

Yes! Bake on a small sheet pan at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. To get extra browning on the chicken thighs, turn on the broil setting for the last few minutes of cooking and move the pan closer to the top of the oven.

Can you use frozen chicken thighs?

I would not recommend using frozen chicken thighs.

Do I need to preheat the air fryer?

I don’t. I just put the chicken right in, turn the air fryer on, and then make sure to use a meat thermometer to check that it’s completely cooked.

How do you know when the chicken is fully cooked?

When it reaches 165 degrees, you’re good to go! This is the thermometer I use. (affiliate link) I use this thing all the time. Highly recommend.

Can you use other types of oil?

I use both avocado oil and olive oil.

What air fryer do you use?

This is my favorite air fryer! The Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL. (affiliate link) Love this for so many recipes!

More Air Fryer Proteins

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