Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad
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This Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad gives you all the classic flavor you love with a lighter, protein-packed twist. Crispy air-fried chicken and a creamy, healthier Caesar dressing make this a satisfying meal that is a healthier alternative!
Quick Look: Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad
- 🕒 Total Time: 20 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 4
- 📊 Calories: 540 per serving
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Be sure to try my Strawberry Fields Salad for another nutritious and delicious salad recipe!
Why You'll Love This Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad
- Lighter Crispy Chicken - By using your own breading and cooking in an air fryer, you automically save calories and give this dish amazing flavor.
- Healthy But Satisfying - You still get the wonderful flavor of a crispy chicken caesar salad but without the guilt of overindulging!
- Quick & Easy - This dish only takes 20 minutes to make with very few steps!
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Select Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts - You'll want 4 thinly sliced boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Panko breadcrumbs - You can use any gluten free breadcrumbs and if you want more flavor, you can use the Italian flavored breadcrumbs.
- Parmesan cheese - I prefer freshly grated parmesan cheese for this one. You just can't beat the sharp flavor!
- Seasonings - Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper
- Flour - I use plain all purpose flour, but again, you can use a gluten free flour alternative if needed
- Egg - You should only need 1 large beaten egg. For larger chicken breasts, you can beat 2 eggs if needed.
- Dressing - Using plain, non-fat Greek yogurt reduced the calories and fat in this recipe and is the MVP of the dressing. Add in lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt and pepper
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
If you love this salad recipe, give my Grilled Slider Bowl Salad a try!
Recipe Tips & Variations
➡️ Make This a Wrap - this would be so delicious as a wrap or sandwich as well! If you're looking for extra carbohydrates or a more filling meal, this would be a great option.
➡️ Swap out the dressing - If you're a big fan of Caesar dressing, feel free to swap out my homemade one with your favorite Caesar dressing! Just remember the nutrition facts will change. Most Caesar dressings are much high calorie and fat than this version.
How To Make Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad
Step 1: First, prepare a breading station. Combine the breading ingredients into one shallow dish. Place flour on a separate plate or dish and beat the egg in a separate dish. Take each thin chicken breast and dip in the following order: flour, egg, Panko-Parmesan mixture.
Step 2: Lightly spray each chicken breast with cooking spray. This will help them get nice and crispy. Place them in an air fryer being careful not to overlap them. Cook at 375°F for 7 minutes per side, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy and internal temp reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 3: While the chicken is cooking, in a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients and wash and chop 2 heads of romaine lettuce.
Step 4: Divide the lettuce among 4 plates and sprinkle with parmesan cheese and the salad dressing. Top with the crispy chicken breast. Enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Bake the chicken at 400°F for 18-22 minutes or pan-fry it until golden and cooked through. It won't be quite as crispy as air-fried, but it still works great.
Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking, then slice it right before serving. Add it to the salad at the very end so the heat doesn't wilt the greens.
Yes! Just use gluten-free breadcrumbs for the chicken and you're good to go!
Check out my meal planning app Wholesome Meals Made Easy for more easy, healthy recipes your whole crew will actually love. It's like having a dietitian in your back pocket - quick, balanced, and family-approved!
More Delicious Salad & Veggie Recipes
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Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 Thinly sliced chicken breasts
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup Parmesan finely grated
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper
- ½ cup All purpose flour
- 1 Egg
Salad Dressing
- ¾ cup Plain non-fat greek yogurt
- 2 teaspoon Lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 serving Salt and pepper to taste
Salad
- 2 head Romaine lettuce
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese finely grated
Instructions
- In a shallow dish, combine panko breadcrumbs, ⅓ cup grated Parmesan, and the seasonings (Italian, garlic powder, salt, and pepper).
- In a second shallow dish, add all-purpose flour or a gluten free alternative.
- In a third dish, crack and beat 1 egg.
- Take each chicken cutlet and coat it in this order: Flour, Egg, Panko-Parmesan mixture.
- Lightly spray both sides of the breaded cutlets with cooking spray.
- Place cutlets in the air fryer, making sure they don't overlap.
- Cook at 375°F for 7 minutes per side, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy and internal temp reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- While the chicken is cooking, in a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients: Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce and seasonings. Set aside.
- Next you'll assemble the salad: wash and chop 2 heads of romaine lettuce.
- Divide evenly among 4 plates.
- Sprinkle ¼ of the remaining grated Parmesan over each salad.
- Toss each salad with ¼ of the dressing.
- Place one crispy chicken cutlet on top of each salad.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
This tastes like it came straight from the restaurant, but the nutrition facts are much better with this one!! I love the balance and the flavor!
Can’t wait to make again!!