Crispy Chicken Caesar Pita (Printer-friendly)

Air-fried chicken strips with Caesar salad and Parmesan stuffed into warm pitas. Easy to make, satisfying, and perfect for any 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 - 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

→ 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

→ Assembly

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

# How To Make It:

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 drip off. Dredge each strip thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure even coating.
04 - Place chicken strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly coat with cooking spray.
05 - Cook 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 cherry tomatoes.
07 - Heat pita breads in a dry skillet or microwave until warm. Cut open carefully to form pockets.
08 - Fill each pita pocket with Caesar salad and 2 to 3 chicken strips. Drizzle with additional Caesar dressing and squeeze of lemon juice if desired.
09 - Serve immediately while chicken remains crispy and pita bread is warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get all the satisfaction of crispy chicken without a gallon of oil or a splattered stovetop
  • The handheld format means you can actually eat Caesar salad while watching a movie without making a mess
  • The contrast between warm, seasoned chicken and cool, creamy lettuce creates this perfect temperature dance in every bite
02 -
  • Crowding the air fryer basket will make the chicken steam instead of crisp, so work in batches if needed
  • The buttermilk marinade needs at least 15 minutes but longer is better for maximum tenderness
  • Serve these immediately because the crispy coating starts to soften once it meets the dressed lettuce
03 -
  • Double the coating mixture and store the extra in an airtight container for your next batch
  • Use kitchen shears to cut the pita pockets instead of a knife for easier, safer opening
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