Perfect for caesar salad lovers.
This Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad takes everything you love about a classic caesar and adds crispy chicken cutlets. Crunchy romaine, plenty of parmigiano reggiano, and a creamy homemade caesar dressing all come together for the perfect salad that’s still easy enough for a weeknight dinner.
Girl Dinner
Have you ever heard of girl dinner? This is the epitome of what social media calls girl dinner. Well, maybe just missing the fries.
I love a quick dinner shortcut, but the homemade caesar dressing really makes this dish that much better. This is also a great dish to use up leftover cutlets. If your household is an avid chicken cutlet lover household like mine, you probably have cutlets for days and need new ways to use them!
There is nothing too extraordinary about this dish, it’s just good, classic food. If you love Caesar salads like I do, you’ll also love this Grilled Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad!
Ingredients
Thinly sliced chicken breasts are coated in a mix of plain breadcrumbs, panko, and parmigiano reggiano for a crispy, golden crust. The homemade caesar dressing is creamy and savory, packed with classic flavor from garlic, anchovy paste, lemon juice, worcestershire sauce, dijon mustard, and parmigiano reggiano.
Salad Ingredients
- chicken breasts – very thinly sliced
- plain breadcrumbs – for full breading coverage
- panko breadcrumbs – adds more texture and makes the chicken extra crispy
- parmigiano reggiano – try to find the real stuff!
- eggs
- kosher salt – I use Diamond Crystal in all my recipes
- black pepper
- olive oil – I use light olive oil for frying, don’t waste your good extra virgin olive oil
- maldon salt– optional, use regular salt for finishing if it’s all you have
- romaine lettuce – the base of the salad
- croutons – crushed
Caesar Dressing Ingredients
- mayonnaise
- lemon juice
- dijon mustard
- garlic – fresh and finely grated
- worcestershire
- olive oil
- black pepper
- anchovy paste – I promise it does not taste fishy!
- parmigiano reggiano
How to Make Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad
Making the Salad
- Make the Caesar Dressing: Whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, dijon, worcestershire, garlic, parmesan, anchovy paste, olive oil, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Salad: Toss the romaine with the dressing, parmesan, and crushed croutons until evenly coated.
Making the Crispy Chicken Cutlets
- Prepare the Chicken: Whisk the eggs in a shallow bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the plain and panko breadcrumbs, parmigiano reggiano, kosher salt, and black pepper. Dip each chicken cutlet into the egg, then coat in the breadcrumb mixture.
- Fry Until Golden: Heat a thin layer of light olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the breaded chicken cutlets until golden brown and fully cooked through. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate and finish with Maldon or kosher salt.
When to Serve Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad
Such a versatile dinner and great for picky eaters too! Serve it for:
- A quick but elevated weeknight dinner
- Summer lunches
- Casual entertaining
- A main course salad for spring and summer gatherings
- Lunch prep with the dressing and chicken made ahead separately
How to Make Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad Ahead of Time
The caesar dressing can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Wait to combine the romaine and dressing until you are ready to eat.
Chicken cutlets are the crispiest right after making them. But you can reheat leftover chicken cutlets in the oven or air fryer instead of the microwave for the best texture.
If you love this Crispy Chicken Caesar, you’ll love Chicken Milanese with Arugula Salad!
Equipment I Use to Make Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad
- Wood Salad Bowl – whisk the dressing right in the salad bowl and add the lettuce right on top!
- Stainless Steel Frying Pan – Perfect for making the crispy chicken
- Microplane – so helpful for grating cheese and garlic!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use store bought caesar dressing?
You can, but the homemade dressing gives this salad a much fresher flavor.
Do I have to use anchovy paste?
Anchovy paste gives classic caesar dressing its signature savory flavor, but you can reduce the amount if you are concerned. It does not taste like fish.
What’s the best lettuce for caesar salad?
Romaine is ideal because it stays crisp with the creamy dressing.
Print
Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 3–4 servings 1x
Ingredients
For the Crispy Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup plain breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup parmigiano reggiano, grated
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper
- Light olive oil, for frying
- Maldon or kosher salt, for finishing
For the Dressing
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
- 1/3 cup finely grated parmigiano reggiano
- 2 teaspoons anchovy paste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Salad
- 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
- ¼ cup parmigiano reggiano, grated
- ½ cup croutons, crushed into pieces
Instructions
- Crack 2 eggs into a shallow bowl and whisk until smooth.
- In a separate shallow bowl, combine ¼ cup plain breadcrumbs, ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs, 1/3 cup grated parmigiano reggiano, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and ¾ teaspoon black pepper.
- Heat a thin layer of light olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Dip each chicken cutlet into the egg, then coat in the breadcrumb mixture.
- Place the breaded cutlets into the hot oil and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden and fully cooked.
- Transfer to a paper towel lined plate and sprinkle with Maldon or kosher salt.
- In a large salad bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce, 1 grated garlic clove, and 2 teaspoons anchovy paste until smooth.
- Stir in 1/3 cup grated parmigiano reggiano and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
- Slowly whisk in 2 tablespoons of olive oil until the dressing is smooth.
- Add the chopped romaine lettuce and ½ cup crushed croutons to the dressing and toss to combine. Finish with ¼ cup parmigiano reggiano and lightly mix again.
- Serve the chicken with extra grated parmigiano reggiano and spoon the caesar salad right over the top or on the side.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Stovetop
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