Extra Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad

Featured in Satisfying Hearty Mains.

Restaurant-style Caesar salad with crispy breaded chicken and homemade dressing. Takes 50 minutes total, serves 4. Includes recipes for dressing and croutons.
Clare Greco
Updated on Wed, 05 Feb 2025 10:52:50 GMT
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Extra Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad | recipesbyclare.com

You know that moment when you bite into the perfect Caesar salad? The kind where the chicken's so crispy it practically shatters, and those croutons taste like they were blessed by the parmesan gods? That's what we're making today. After years of disappointing restaurant Caesars, I finally cracked the code in my own kitchen. It all started when I discovered that day-old ciabatta makes the most incredible parmesan croutons - and from there, this recipe took on a life of its own.

Last weekend, my neighbor Tom stopped by just as I was making these croutons. He ended up staying for dinner and now his wife keeps "casually" dropping by around dinner time. The smell of parmesan toasting in the oven tends to have that effect on people.

Simple Ingredients Matter

  • Day-old ciabatta bread has the perfect texture base
  • Fresh parmesan cheese brings the real flavor
  • Panko breadcrumbs create that ultimate crunch
  • Chicken breasts need to be evenly cut
  • Crisp romaine lettuce adds the classic touch
  • Real bacon bits add smoky depth
  • Quality mayo starts your dressing right
  • Fresh garlic wakes everything up
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Detailed Instructions

The Crouton Creation
Start with that day-old bread and trust me, fresh bread just won't cut it here. Cube it up, toss it with olive oil and seasonings, then shower it with freshly grated parmesan. When these beauties hit the oven, magic happens. The cheese melts, then crisps, creating this incredible crust that'll ruin you for regular croutons forever.
Chicken Magic
Here's where we get serious. Split those chicken breasts evenly and we want them all to cook at the same time. The panko coating needs to be pressed on firmly; think of it like tucking the chicken into a crispy blanket. When that chicken hits the hot oil, it's like conducting a golden-brown symphony.
Dressing Dreams
Sure, you could buy Caesar dressing. But why would you when homemade is this easy? Mayo gives us a creamy shortcut base, but it's the fresh garlic, anchovy paste, and extra parmesan that make it sing. Each ingredient plays its part in creating that perfect Caesar flavor we're after.
Assembly Time
This is where it all comes together. Tear that romaine into bite-sized pieces and don't you dare use a knife. Layer in those still-warm croutons, arrange your crispy chicken on top, and drizzle with that homemade dressing. It's a beautiful thing.

Perfect Partners

Nothing beats a warm, crusty baguette alongside this salad - something to help catch any stray dressing. For fancy dinner parties, I'll pour everyone a glass of crisp white wine and maybe add some grilled lemon halves on the side. When it's just family dinner, we'll tear into some garlic knots or keep it simple with extra croutons (because let's be honest, there's no such thing as too many of those parmesan-crusted beauties).

Making It Your Own

The beauty of mastering this salad is how you can riff on it. Some nights I'll throw in some sliced avocado - the creaminess against the crispy chicken is incredible. When my vegetable garden's producing, I'll add sweet cherry tomatoes or cucumber for extra crunch. My brother adds a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to his chicken coating for heat. During summer, I might grill the chicken instead of frying, though honestly, nothing beats that panko crust.

Storage Secrets

Look, this salad is all about timing. Those components need to stay separate until the last minute if you're meal prepping. The dressing keeps beautifully for almost a week in the fridge - just give it a good shake before using. Store those precious croutons in an airtight container and guard them with your life (I've caught my kids sneaking them as snacks). If you've got leftover chicken, reheat it in the oven to keep that crust crispy - the microwave just makes it sad.

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Easy Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe | recipesbyclare.com

This isn't just another salad recipe - it's become my signature dish, the one friends request for dinner parties and family members hint at during visits. There's something magical about taking these simple ingredients and transforming them into something that makes people's eyes light up at the dinner table. Whether you're cooking for one or feeding a crowd, this salad has a way of turning an ordinary meal into something special.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make the dressing ahead?
Yes, store in the fridge for 3-4 days. Makes about 1.5 cups.
→ Can I bake the chicken instead?
Yes, but toast breadcrumbs first. Follow baked pesto chicken recipe method.
→ What type of bacon works best?
Unsmoked streaky bacon, can be baked with croutons or pan-fried.
→ Can I use store-bought dressing?
Yes, though homemade dressing provides best flavor.
→ How do I ensure extra crispy chicken?
Thoroughly coat in each dredging stage and fry at correct temperature (180C/350F).

Extra Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad

A gourmet Caesar salad featuring extra crispy breaded chicken, homemade parmesan croutons, and creamy anchovy dressing.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes

Category: Hearty Mains

Difficulty: Difficult

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Dressing

01 1 cup (240g) full fat Mayo
02 ⅓ cup (30g) freshly grated Parmesan
03 2 Anchovy Fillets
04 2 tablespoons Milk (preferably whole milk)
05 1 Lemon, juice only
06 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
07 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
08 1 small clove of Garlic
09 ¼ teaspoon Salt
10 ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper

→ Chicken

11 2 Chicken Breasts (7-9oz/200-250g each)
12 1 cup (65g) Panko Breadcrumbs
13 ¼ cup (40g) Flour
14 2 Eggs, beaten
15 1 teaspoon Salt
16 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
17 ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
18 1 cup (240ml) Vegetable Oil, for frying

→ Salad

19 2 large heads of Romaine Lettuce, chopped (approx 8oz/220g each)
20 6 slices of Bacon, cooked, cooled & diced
21 4oz (120g) Ciabatta (preferably day old)
22 ½ cup (40g) freshly grated Parmesan
23 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
24 Salt, Garlic Powder & Black Pepper (for croutons)

Instructions

Step 01

In a food processor blitz the dressing ingredients until smooth.

Step 02

Dice bread into small bite-sized pieces. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 pinches of garlic powder & black pepper and 1 pinch of salt.

Step 03

Add parchment paper to a tray (roughly 12" x 8") and spread over grated parmesan. Spread out the croutons on top then bake in the oven at 180C/350F for 10mins, or until both the croutons and parmesan are deeply golden. Allow to cool (they'll crisp as they cool) then break up just before serving.

Step 04

In a small pot combine 1 teaspoon salt & garlic powder with ½ teaspoon black pepper. Slice the chicken breasts horizontally through the centre to make 4 even-sized breasts.

Step 05

Line up 3 large shallow dishes - the first with flour and half of the seasoning mix, the second with beaten eggs and the third with breadcrumbs and the rest of the seasoning. One by one dredge the chicken breasts through the flour, into the egg, then finish in the breadcrumbs, making sure you thoroughly coat at each stage.

Step 06

Heat up 1 cup of oil in a heavy-based pan over medium heat until a breadcrumb rapidly sizzles (approx 180C/350F). Two at a time, fry the chicken for 3-4mins each side, or until deep golden, visibly crispy and white/piping hot right through the centre. Place on a wire rack once cooked. Slice into strips once cooled.

Step 07

In a large mixing bowl toss the lettuce with your preferred amount of dressing (start off with less than you think then work up). Toss in the bacon and croutons, then serve up individual portions with the sliced chicken on top. Drizzle over more dressing if desired.

Notes

  1. Dressing can be made ahead and stored for 3-4 days.
  2. Chicken can be baked instead of fried.
  3. Recipe makes more dressing than typically needed.

Tools You'll Need

  • Food Processor
  • Baking Tray & Parchment Paper
  • 3 Large Shallow Dishes
  • Large Heavy Bottom Pan & Tongs
  • Large Mixing Bowl & Salad Tossers
  • Fine Cheese Grater
  • Sharp Knife & Chopping Board

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (parmesan, milk)
  • Contains eggs
  • Contains gluten (breadcrumbs, ciabatta)
  • Contains fish (anchovies)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 1038
  • Total Fat: 73.02 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 45.08 g
  • Protein: 51.56 g