Crispy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a breaded chicken pasta salad with lettuce, cooked pasta, Parmesan, and a creamy homemade Caesar dressing.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
1 chicken breast, halved lengthwise and pounded
Salt, to taste
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp smoked paprika
Oil, for frying
For the Breadcrumb Coating:
2 cups breadcrumbs
1 tbsp parsley
1 tbsp lemon zest
1 tbsp dried basil
For the Egg Wash:
2 eggs
1/3 cup water
For the Dry Coating:
1 cup all-purpose flour
Salt, to taste
1 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp smoked paprika
For the Caesar Salad:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp lemon juice, or to taste
2 cups lettuce, washed and chopped
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Salt, to taste
1–2 tbsp water, as needed
Cooked pasta (amount and type not specified)
Instructions
1. Season the chicken with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
2. In one bowl, whisk the eggs with the water. In another bowl, combine the flour with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. In a third bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, parsley, basil, and lemon zest.
3. Coat the chicken in the egg wash, then the flour mixture, then the egg wash again, and finally the breadcrumb mixture.
4. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry the chicken for 4–5 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Slice into strips.
5. For the dressing, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, lemon juice, and Parmesan. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking until smooth and creamy. Add 1–2 tbsp water if needed, then season with salt and pepper.
6. Combine the lettuce, cooked pasta, and Parmesan. Drizzle with olive oil, add the Caesar dressing, and gently toss.
7. Top with the crispy chicken and finish with extra Parmesan, lemon juice, and freshly ground black pepper.
Recipe note: The source does not specify the amount or type of cooked pasta, how to cook the pasta, the amount of frying oil, how the 1/3 cup Parmesan and 2 tbsp olive oil are divided between the dressing and the salad mixture, or a serving count.
