Crispy Herbed Chicken Caesar Pitas (Printable Version)

Golden crispy chicken cutlets with Caesar salad in warm pita pockets. A satisfying, easy main dish ready in under an hour.

# Components:

→ Herbed Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
03 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
05 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
06 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
11 - 2 large eggs
12 - 2 tablespoons whole milk
13 - 3 tablespoons olive oil

→ Caesar Salad

14 - 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
15 - 1/3 cup Caesar dressing
16 - 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
17 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

→ Assembly

18 - 4 large pita breads
19 - Lemon wedges

# Directions:

01 - Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create two thinner cutlets, yielding four cutlets total.
02 - Place all-purpose flour in one shallow bowl. In a second bowl, whisk eggs with milk. In a third bowl, combine panko, grated Parmesan, parsley, oregano, basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
03 - Coat each chicken cutlet in flour, then dip in egg mixture, and press firmly into the panko mixture until completely coated on both sides.
04 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken cutlets and cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
05 - Warm pita breads in a dry skillet or oven for 1-2 minutes until soft and pliable.
06 - Toss romaine lettuce with Caesar dressing and shaved Parmesan cheese in a bowl, adding cherry tomatoes if desired.
07 - Slice the crispy chicken cutlets into strips.
08 - Cut each warmed pita in half to create pockets. Fill each pocket with Caesar salad mixture, then layer with chicken strips.
09 - Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The pita pocket keeps everything contained so no dressing drips onto your lap during dinner
  • That herbed crust stays impossibly crispy even after the chicken cools down
  • It transforms salad from something you tolerate into something you actually get excited about eating
02 -
  • Do not skip the warming step for the pitas or they will crack and spill contents everywhere when you try to stuff them
  • Letting the breaded chicken rest on a wire rack instead of paper towels keeps the bottom crust from getting soggy
  • Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly than cold straight from the fridge so let it sit out while you prep the breading station
03 -
  • Grate your own Parmesan instead of buying pre grated because the texture melts into the breading better and the flavor is significantly more vibrant
  • Keep one hand dry and one hand wet during breading to prevent your fingers from becoming coated in thick layers of flour and egg mixture
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