Description
Crispy chicken caesar salad delivers classic comfort with a modern twist, blending golden-fried chicken and zesty dressing over fresh romaine. Crunchy croutons and parmesan shavings complete this restaurant-quality meal you can easily craft at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients:
- 2 large heads of Romaine Lettuce, chopped (8 ounces/220 grams each)
- 6 slices of Bacon, cooked, cooled & diced
- 0.5 cup (40 grams) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Chicken Ingredients:
- 2 Chicken Breasts (7–9 ounces/200–250 grams each)
- 1 cup (65 grams) Panko Breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 0.25 cup (40 grams) Flour
- 2 Eggs, beaten
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) Vegetable Oil, for frying
Crouton and Dressing Ingredients:
- 4 ounces (120 grams) Ciabatta bread (preferably day old)
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 cup (240 grams) full fat Mayonnaise
- 0.33 cup (30 grams) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 Anchovy Fillets
- 2 tablespoons Milk (preferably whole milk)
- 1 Lemon, juice only
- 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 small clove of Garlic
- 0.25 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black
Instructions
- Create a robust caesar dressing by blending ingredients in a food processor until silky and emulsified.
- Cube bread into uniform bite-sized pieces, seasoning with olive oil, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt for crouton preparation.
- Layer parchment paper on a baking tray, sprinkle grated parmesan, then distribute seasoned croutons evenly. Roast at 180C/350F for 10 minutes until golden and crisp. Cool completely, allowing croutons to become extra crunchy.
- Mix salt, garlic powder, and black pepper to create a seasoning blend. Carefully slice chicken breasts horizontally, creating four even portions.
- Establish three separate dredging stations: first with seasoned flour, second with beaten eggs, third with seasoned breadcrumbs. Thoroughly coat each chicken piece, ensuring complete coverage at each stage.
- Heat oil in a heavy skillet to 180C/350F, checking temperature with a breadcrumb test. Fry chicken pieces two at a time for 3-4 minutes per side until deep golden and fully cooked through. Transfer to a wire rack to drain excess oil.
- Combine lettuce with caesar dressing in a large bowl, gently tossing to coat. Add crispy bacon and croutons, then plate individually. Top with sliced chicken and drizzle additional dressing as desired.
Notes
- Customize Crunch by experimenting with different bread types like sourdough or whole wheat for unique texture and flavor variations.
- Opt for gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour if preparing for guests with dietary restrictions, ensuring everyone can enjoy the crispy chicken.
- Control oil temperature precisely with a digital thermometer to guarantee perfectly golden, non-greasy chicken every single time.
- Prep components ahead of time like dressing and croutons to streamline cooking process and reduce last-minute kitchen stress.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 830
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 1150mg
- Fat: 60g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 40g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 210mg