Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich (Printable)
Golden fried chicken with creamy Caesar dressing and crisp lettuce in a toasted bun.
# Ingredient List:
→ For the Crispy Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 cup buttermilk
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
07 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
08 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
09 - Vegetable oil, for frying
→ For the Caesar Dressing
10 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
11 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
13 - 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
14 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
15 - 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
16 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ For Assembly
17 - 4 brioche or sandwich buns, split and toasted
18 - 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
19 - 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
20 - 1 medium tomato, sliced (optional)
# How to Make:
01 - Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally to create 4 fillets. Place them between sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound to an even thickness using a meat mallet.
02 - In a bowl, mix buttermilk, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Add chicken fillets, turning to coat thoroughly. Marinate for at least 15 minutes, or refrigerate overnight for enhanced flavor.
03 - In a shallow dish, combine flour and panko breadcrumbs. Remove chicken from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off, then dredge each fillet in the flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure proper adherence.
04 - Heat approximately 1 inch of vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat to 350°F. Fry chicken fillets in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Parmesan, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and minced garlic until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Spread Caesar dressing generously on both halves of each toasted bun. Place a crispy chicken fillet on the bottom half, top with chopped romaine, shaved Parmesan, and tomato slices if desired. Close with the top bun.
07 - Serve the sandwiches while hot and crispy for optimal texture and flavor.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- The double dredge creates that shatteringly crispy exterior that stays impossibly crunchy even dressed
- Homemade Caesar dressing transforms this from good sandwich into the kind people write poems about
02 -
- Letting the excess marinade drip off before dredging prevents the coating from getting gummy or falling off in the oil
- Keeping the oil temperature steady is crucial because too hot burns the coating while too cool makes for greasy chicken
03 -
- Use a kitchen thermometer to maintain that 350 degree sweet spot for perfectly cooked chicken every time
- If your chicken breasts are thick, slice them horizontally rather than pounding them flat to avoid tough spots