Crispy Chicken Caesar Pita (Printer View)

Air-fried chicken strips, creamy Caesar dressing, fresh romaine, and Parmesan in warm pita pockets for an easy handheld meal.

# What you'll need:

→ Crispy Chicken

01 - 2 large chicken breasts, cut into strips
02 - 1 cup buttermilk
03 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
04 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
09 - Cooking spray

→ Caesar Salad

10 - 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
11 - 1/2 cup Caesar dressing
12 - 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
13 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
14 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Assembly

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

# Method:

01 - Place chicken strips in buttermilk and marinate for at least 15 minutes, or 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 liquid to drain. Dredge each strip thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure proper adherence.
04 - Arrange coated chicken strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly coat with cooking spray.
05 - Air-fry at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes, turning halfway through cooking, until golden brown and fully cooked through.
06 - Toss chopped romaine lettuce with Caesar dressing, shaved Parmesan, and halved cherry tomatoes.
07 - Warm pita breads in a dry skillet or microwave. Carefully cut open to form pockets.
08 - Stuff each pita pocket with prepared Caesar salad and 2 to 3 chicken strips. Drizzle with additional Caesar dressing and add a squeeze of lemon if desired.
09 - Serve immediately while chicken remains warm and crispy.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It delivers all the creamy, salty satisfaction of a Caesar salad but in a form you can eat with one hand while sitting on the couch.
  • The air fryer makes the chicken insanely crispy without any deep frying or oil splatter on your stovetop.
  • You can prep the chicken ahead and toss it all together in minutes when hunger strikes.
  • It feels indulgent but comes together faster than ordering takeout and waiting for delivery.
02 -
  • Don't skip the buttermilk soak. I tried it once with plain chicken and the difference was obvious, dry and less flavorful.
  • Make sure the air fryer basket isn't overcrowded or the breading will steam instead of crisp. Work in batches if needed.
  • Warm the pitas just before assembling. If you do it too early, they dry out and become stiff.
  • Press the breadcrumb coating firmly onto the chicken strips or it will fall off during cooking and leave bare patches.
03 -
  • Add a handful of croutons inside the pita for an extra crunch that mimics a traditional Caesar salad.
  • If your Caesar dressing is too thick, thin it with a teaspoon of lemon juice or water so it drizzles more easily.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan in the breading instead of the pre grated kind. It melts better and tastes sharper.
  • Double the chicken and freeze half for a night when you don't feel like cooking from scratch.
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