Description
A flavorful and crispy Chicken Caesar Salad featuring oven-baked chicken tenders coated in a seasoned breadcrumb crust, paired with fresh romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, and a creamy homemade Caesar dressing made with mayonnaise, yogurt, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a hearty, satisfying meal in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Salad
- 1 large head of romaine lettuce, washed and dried
- 1 cup croutons
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shaved
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 cup flour
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Avocado oil spray
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, yogurt, garlic, black pepper, lemon juice, salt, olive oil, Parmigiano Reggiano, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. 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 a bowl, whisk together the egg, lemon juice, minced garlic, black pepper, and salt. Add the chicken tenders and coat them evenly. In another bowl, mix the flour, breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt to create the crust mixture. Dip each chicken tender into the crust mixture, ensuring full coverage, then place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spray the tenders generously with avocado oil. Bake for 10 minutes, then flip, spray again, and bake for 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 with half of the dressing. On a large serving dish, layer the dressed romaine lettuce, then add the crispy chicken tenders cut into bite-size pieces, croutons, and shaved Parmesan cheese. Drizzle with the remaining dressing as desired.
- Serve: Serve immediately to enjoy the crispy, flavorful Chicken Caesar Salad at its best.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, make sure to spray the chicken tenders with oil before baking and after flipping.
- Use fresh garlic for the dressing to enhance flavor.
- The salad is best enjoyed immediately to prevent the croutons from becoming soggy.
- You can substitute full-fat plain yogurt with Greek yogurt if desired.
- Checking the internal temperature of chicken ensures it is safely cooked through.
