Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Ingredients

• 2 boneless chicken breasts (Halved lengthwise and pounded)
• salt (To taste, for chicken seasoning)
• 1 tbsp garlic powder (For chicken seasoning)
• 1 tsp black pepper (For chicken seasoning)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika powder (For chicken seasoning)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (For the dry batter)
• salt (To taste, for the dry batter)
• 1 tbsp garlic powder (For the dry batter)
• 1 tsp black pepper (For the dry batter)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika powder (For the dry batter)
• 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
• 1 egg (For the egg wash)
• 0.5 cup water (For the egg wash)
• oil (For deep-frying; heat to 350°F)
• 0.5 cup mayonnaise (For the Caesar dressing)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice (Freshly squeezed)
• 2 cloves fresh garlic (Minced)
• salt (To taste, for the Caesar dressing)
• 1 tsp black pepper (For the Caesar dressing)
• 0.333 cup Parmesan cheese (Freshly grated, for the Caesar dressing)
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (For the Caesar dressing)
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (For the Caesar dressing)
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (For the Caesar dressing)
• 2 cups romaine lettuce (Chopped)
• 0.5 red onion (Thinly sliced)
• 6 cherry tomatoes (Halved)
• 1 cup croutons
• 4 tbsp Caesar dressing (For tossing the salad; use 4–5 tbsp)
• 1 cup penne pasta (Boiled)
• salt (To taste, for the salad)
• 1 tsp garlic powder (For the salad)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika powder (For the salad)
• Parmesan cheese (Additional grated Parmesan, if desired)

Steps

1. 1

   Season the halved and pounded chicken breasts with salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and smoked paprika powder.

2. 2

   Prepare the dry batter by combining the all-purpose flour, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and smoked paprika powder in a bowl.

3. 3

   Prepare the egg wash in a separate bowl by whisking the egg with the water until mixed.

4. 4

   Place the panko breadcrumbs in another bowl.

5. 5

   Coat each seasoned chicken piece in the dry batter, then dip it in the egg wash. Repeat the dry-batter and egg-wash coating, then finish by coating the chicken in panko breadcrumbs.

6. 6

   Heat the frying oil to 350°F.

7. 7

   Deep-fry the breaded chicken for 3–4 minutes, flipping halfway through, until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

8. 8

   Remove the cooked chicken from the oil and set it aside.

9. 9

   Make the Caesar dressing by combining the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, minced garlic, lemon juice, grated Parmesan cheese, and extra-virgin olive oil.

10. 10

    In a large bowl, add the chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, boiled penne pasta, and croutons.

11. 11

    Season the salad with salt, garlic powder, and smoked paprika powder.

12. 12

    Add 4–5 tablespoons of Caesar dressing and toss the salad until the ingredients are coated. Add more grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

13. 13

    Serve the Caesar pasta salad with the crispy chicken and enjoy.

Notes

The source does not specify the amount of frying oil required. The pasta is listed as already boiled, but no boiling method or time is provided. The source says to add more Parmesan if desired.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• salad
• pasta
• chicken
• deep-fried
• Caesar salad
• high-protein