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Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe with Easy Homemade Dressing

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A satisfying and flavorful crispy chicken Caesar salad featuring golden crusted chicken strips and a tangy, creamy homemade dressing. Perfect for a quick, fresh meal that feels thoughtfully crafted.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450g), sliced into strips or bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (Japanese-style recommended)
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten (room temperature)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Olive oil or vegetable oil, for frying
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 large head romaine lettuce, washed and chopped
  • 1 cup homemade or store-bought croutons
  • Freshly shaved Parmesan cheese, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. (Approx. 5 minutes)
  2. Set up breading stations: one bowl with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs.
  3. Dip each chicken piece first in flour, shaking off excess, then into the egg, and finally coat well with panko breadcrumbs. Press lightly to adhere. (Approx. 10 minutes)
  4. Heat about ¼ inch of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry chicken pieces in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F). Drain on paper towels. (Approx. 15 minutes)
  5. Whisk together minced garlic, anchovy paste, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and mayonnaise until smooth. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking to emulsify. Stir in Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper. (Approx. 5 minutes)
  6. Spin or pat dry the romaine lettuce thoroughly. Toss gently with about half the dressing to coat lightly. (Approx. 2 minutes)
  7. Plate the dressed romaine, arrange crispy chicken on top, sprinkle with croutons, and garnish with shaved Parmesan. Drizzle remaining dressing as desired. (Approx. 3 minutes)

Notes

For gluten-free, substitute panko breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs. For a lighter dressing, swap half the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt. Avoid overcrowding the pan when frying chicken to maintain crispiness. Dry lettuce thoroughly to help dressing cling. Reheat chicken gently to restore crispiness. Baking chicken at 425°F for 20-25 minutes is a lighter alternative to frying.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy chicken Caesar salad, homemade Caesar dressing, quick chicken salad, panko chicken, easy salad recipe, weeknight dinner, healthy salad

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/crispy-chicken-caesar-salad-recipe-with-easy-homemade-dressing-tutorial/