Description
This Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad combines tender, oven-baked chicken tenders coated in a flavorful seasoned crust with fresh romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, and a rich, tangy homemade Caesar dressing. Ready in just 40 minutes, it offers a satisfying, crispy texture and vibrant taste perfect for a hearty lunch or light dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 1 large head of romaine lettuce, washed and dried
- 1 cup croutons
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shaved
Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup full-fat plain yogurt
- 3 cloves garlic, grated or finely minced
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/3 cup Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Chicken Tenders
- 8 chicken tenders, skin removed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 large garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Avocado oil spray
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, yogurt, grated garlic, black pepper, lemon juice, salt, olive oil, grated Parmigiano Reggiano, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth. Store the dressing in the refrigerator while preparing the chicken and salad.
- Make the Chicken Tenders: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). In one bowl, whisk the egg with lemon juice, minced garlic, black pepper, and salt. Coat the chicken tenders thoroughly in this egg mixture. In a separate bowl, combine flour, breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Dip each tender into the crust mixture to coat evenly, then place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spray tenders liberally with avocado oil. Bake for 10 minutes, then flip, spray again, and bake another 10 minutes until golden and crispy. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Assemble the Salad: Chop the romaine lettuce and toss it with half of the dressing to coat evenly. On a large serving dish, layer the dressed romaine, then add the crispy chicken tenders cut into pieces, croutons, and shaved Parmesan. Drizzle additional dressing on top as desired.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the crispy texture and fresh flavors at their best.
Notes
- Make sure the chicken tenders reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) to ensure they are fully cooked.
- Using avocado oil spray helps achieve crispiness without adding excessive fat.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of dressing according to your taste preference.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute mayonnaise with additional yogurt.
- To save time, you can prepare the dressing a day ahead; the flavors will deepen.
