Description
A crispy chicken caesar pasta salad combining golden breaded chicken cutlets, tender penne, crisp romaine, and a creamy garlicky caesar dressing, all finished with freshly grated parmesan and a touch of lemon zest.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 large breasts)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, divided
- ¼ cup olive oil, for frying
- 12 ounces dry penne pasta
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup creamy caesar dressing
- ¾ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest, optional
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta.
- Set up a breading station with flour in one shallow dish, beaten eggs in a second dish, and panko mixed with garlic powder, half the salt, and half the pepper in a third dish.
- Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness, then season both sides with the remaining salt and pepper.
- Dredge each chicken breast first in flour, then in egg, then press firmly into the panko mixture until fully coated.
- Fry the breaded chicken in the hot skillet for about 4 to 5 minutes per side, until deeply golden and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, then rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Cook the penne in the boiling water until just shy of al dente, drain, and toss immediately with the caesar dressing while still warm.
- Divide the dressed pasta and romaine between bowls, top with sliced crispy chicken, finish with freshly grated parmesan and a touch of lemon zest, and serve right away.
Notes
- Let the fried chicken rest on a wire rack instead of paper towels so the bottom stays crisp
- Add the dressing to the pasta once it has cooled slightly to prevent separation
- Store leftovers with the lettuce separate from the dressed pasta to keep it crisp
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
Keywords: crispy chicken caesar pasta salad, chicken caesar pasta, crispy chicken salad, caesar pasta salad