Why Make This Recipe
Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwiches are a delightful twist on a classic dish. They combine the crunchy texture of fried chicken with the fresh taste of Caesar salad, all packed into a delicious baguette. This recipe is perfect for a quick lunch or a casual dinner. It’s easy to make and the whole family will love it!
How to Make Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich
Ingredients
- ½ cup full-fat mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- 1-2 garlic cloves (minced)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Pinch sea salt
- 5 chicken cutlets (see note 1)
- Sea salt (to taste)
- Ground black pepper (to taste)
- Oil (for frying)
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ tsp smoked paprika
- 2 eggs
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup panko crumbs
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- 2 romaine hearts (chopped)
- 1-2 French baguettes
- Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
Directions
In a bowl, prepare the Caesar dressing by mixing all ingredients. Stir until smooth and creamy. Take 4–5 tablespoons of this dressing and mix it with the chopped romaine lettuce in a medium bowl. Cover both the salad and the remaining dressing and refrigerate both components separately for later.
Lay the chicken cutlets on a cutting board. If they are uneven in thickness, gently pound them with a meat mallet or a rolling pin to make them even. Sprinkle both sides with salt and ground black pepper.
Set up the breading station with three shallow plates. In the first plate, mix the flour, salt, and smoked paprika. In the second plate, whisk the eggs with salt. In the third plate, mix panko, breadcrumbs, dried parsley, black pepper, salt, dried oregano, garlic powder, and grated Parmesan cheese.
Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Take one chicken cutlet and dredge it in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Dip it into the egg mixture, then press firmly into the breadcrumb mix. Repeat for all cutlets.
Once the oil is hot (you can test this by dropping in a few breadcrumbs—if they sizzle, it’s ready), carefully place the chicken into the pan. Fry until golden brown on one side, then flip and cook the other side until crispy and fully cooked. This should take about 4-5 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Remove and place on a wire rack to drain excess oil. Fry in batches so as not to overcrowd the pan.
Slice the baguettes into 12 cm (5") portions and cut each open lengthwise. Spread a layer of the reserved Caesar dressing, place a crispy chicken cutlet on top, followed by a generous amount of Caesar salad. Sprinkle with extra grated Parmesan cheese. Close the sandwiches and serve immediately with fries.
How to Serve Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich
Serve these sandwiches hot with a side of crispy fries or a simple green salad. You can also add more Caesar dressing as a dipping sauce for extra flavor!
How to Store Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich
If you have leftovers, store the components separately. Keep the chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The Caesar dressing can also be stored in the fridge for about a week. When ready to eat, reheat the chicken in the oven to keep it crispy, then assemble the sandwich fresh.
Tips to Make Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich
- Make sure the oil is at the right temperature before frying to get perfectly crispy chicken.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan while frying; this can lower the oil temperature and make the chicken soggy.
- Use fresh ingredients for the Caesar dressing for the best flavor.
Variation
Feel free to customize this sandwich by adding other ingredients like bacon, avocado, or different types of cheese. You can also use grilled chicken if you prefer a healthier option.
FAQs
1. Can I use chicken breasts instead of cutlets?
Yes, you can use chicken breasts. Just make sure to slice them thinly and pound them to an even thickness for even cooking.
2. Can I make the dressing ahead of time?
Absolutely! The dressing can be made a few days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
3. What if I don’t have panko crumbs?
If you don’t have panko crumbs, you can use regular breadcrumbs, though the texture may be slightly different.
Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwiches
Ingredients
Method
- In a bowl, prepare the Caesar dressing by mixing all dressing ingredients. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Take 4–5 tablespoons of this dressing and mix it with the chopped romaine lettuce in a medium bowl.
- Cover both the salad and the remaining dressing and refrigerate both components separately for later.
- Lay the chicken cutlets on a cutting board. If they are uneven in thickness, gently pound them to make them even.
- Sprinkle both sides with salt and ground black pepper.
- Set up a breading station with three shallow plates: mix flour, salt, and smoked paprika in the first plate, whisk eggs with salt in the second, and mix panko, breadcrumbs, dried parsley, black pepper, salt, dried oregano, garlic powder, and Parmesan cheese in the third.
- Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
- Dredge one chicken cutlet in the flour mixture, shake off excess, dip into the egg mixture, then press firmly into the breadcrumb mix. Repeat for all cutlets.
- Once the oil is hot, carefully place the chicken into the pan. Fry until golden brown on one side, then flip and cook the other side until crispy and fully cooked (about 4-5 minutes per side). Remove and place on a wire rack to drain excess oil.
- Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Slice the baguettes into 5" portions and cut each open lengthwise.
- Spread a layer of the reserved Caesar dressing, place a crispy chicken cutlet on top, followed by a generous amount of Caesar salad.
- Sprinkle with extra grated Parmesan cheese, close the sandwiches, and serve immediately with fries.