Marry Me Crispy Chicken Caesar (Printable)
Golden crispy chicken paired with creamy Caesar dressing and fresh greens on a toasted bun.
# What You'll Need:
→ 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)
# Directions:
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.
02 - In a bowl, mix buttermilk, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Add chicken fillets, turning to coat. Marinate for at least 15 minutes (up to overnight in the refrigerator for best flavor).
03 - In a shallow dish, combine flour and panko breadcrumbs. Remove chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off, then dredge each fillet in the flour mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
04 - Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat to 350°F. Fry chicken fillets in batches for 3–4 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Parmesan, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and minced garlic. 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 using). Close with the top bun.
07 - Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The buttermilk marinade makes the chicken incredibly tender while the double coating creates that satisfying crunch that doesnt surrender to the dressing
- Everything can be prepped ahead, and the homemade Caesar dressing puts bottled versions to shame with minimal effort
02 -
- Letting the coated chicken rest for about 5 minutes before frying helps the coating set and reduces the chance of it slipping off during cooking
- Testing your oil with a small piece of bread or batter is better than guessing—if it sizzles immediately and steadily, youre ready
03 -
- Room temperature chicken fries more evenly than cold straight from the fridge, so take it out about 20 minutes before cooking
- A candy thermometer takes the guesswork out of oil temperature and consistently delivers better results than judging by eye