Crispy Chicken Caesar Pita (Printable)

Golden air-fried chicken strips with Caesar salad stuffed in warm pitas

# What You Need:

→ For the Crispy Chicken

01 - 2 large chicken breasts, cut into strips
02 - 1 cup buttermilk
03 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
04 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
06 - ½ teaspoon paprika
07 - ½ teaspoon salt
08 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
09 - Cooking spray

→ For the Caesar Salad

10 - 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
11 - ½ cup Caesar dressing
12 - ¼ cup shaved Parmesan cheese
13 - ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
14 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ For Assembly

15 - 4 pita breads, warmed
16 - Extra Caesar dressing, for drizzling
17 - Lemon wedges

# Directions:

01 - Submerge chicken strips in buttermilk for at least 15 minutes, up to 2 hours for enhanced tenderness.
02 - Combine panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a shallow bowl.
03 - Remove chicken from buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Press each strip into breadcrumb mixture, ensuring thorough coating.
04 - Arrange breaded strips in single layer within air fryer basket. Lightly coat with cooking spray. Cook at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
05 - Toss chopped romaine lettuce with Caesar dressing, shaved Parmesan, and cherry tomatoes until evenly coated.
06 - Heat pita breads in dry skillet over medium heat or microwave for 15-20 seconds. Slice open to create pockets.
07 - Fill each pita pocket with Caesar salad mixture and 2-3 chicken strips. Drizzle with additional Caesar dressing and squeeze fresh lemon if desired.
08 - Serve immediately while chicken remains crispy and pitas are warm.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • That crunch when you bite through the crispy chicken into cool, creamy lettuce is absolutely worth the 15 minutes of air fryer time
  • Everything you love about a Caesar salad but without the fork and plate situation
02 -
  • Overcrowding the air fryer basket creates steamed chicken instead of crispy chicken, so work in batches if needed
  • Letting the chicken rest for just two minutes after air frying helps the coating stay put when you bite into it
03 -
  • Pat the chicken strips mostly dry before putting them in the buttermilk so the marinade actually sticks
  • Use kitchen shears to cut the pitas open if you are worried about tearing them with a knife
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