Crispy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Ingredients

• 1 chicken breast (Halved lengthwise and pounded)
• salt (To taste, for chicken)
• 1 tsp garlic powder (For chicken)
• 1 tsp onion powder (For chicken)
• 1 tsp black pepper (For chicken)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika powder (For chicken)
• oil for frying (Amount not specified)
• 2 cup breadcrumbs (The method specifies panko breadcrumbs)
• 1 tbsp parsley (For breadcrumbs)
• 1 tbsp lemon zest (For breadcrumbs)
• 1 tbsp dried basil (For breadcrumbs)
• 2 eggs (For egg wash)
• 0.333 cup water (For egg wash)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (For dry batter)
• salt (To taste, for dry batter)
• 1 tsp black pepper (For dry batter)
• 1 tbsp garlic powder (For dry batter)
• 1 tbsp onion powder (For dry batter)
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika powder (For dry batter)
• 0.5 cup mayonnaise (For Caesar dressing)
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (For Caesar dressing)
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (For Caesar dressing)
• 2 cloves garlic (Minced, for Caesar dressing)
• 2 tsp lemon juice (For dressing; adjust to taste)
• 2 cup lettuce (Washed and chopped)
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (For dressing)
• 0.333 cup Parmesan cheese (Source text says “1/3 cups lettuce freshly grated Parmesan cheese”; interpreted as freshly grated Parmesan cheese, with “lettuce” treated as a transcription error)
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper (For Caesar dressing)
• salt (To taste, for dressing)
• 1 tbsp water (To thin the sauce as needed)
• 0.75 cup boiled pasta (Pasta of choice)
• Parmesan cheese (For garnish; amount not specified)
• lemon juice (For garnish; amount not specified)
• salt and pepper (To taste, for assembly)
• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (For tossing the salad)

Steps

1. 1

   Season the halved, pounded chicken breast with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Set it aside.

2. 2

   Crack the eggs into a bowl, add the water, and whisk until smooth. Set the egg wash aside.

3. 3

   In a separate bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika powder to make the dry batter.

4. 4

   In another bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, parsley, dried basil, and lemon zest.

5. 5

   Coat each seasoned chicken fillet in the egg wash, then dip it in the dry flour mixture, return it to the egg batter, and finally coat it thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture.

6. 6

   Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.

7. 7

   Fry the breaded chicken for 4–5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.

8. 8

   Slice the fried chicken into strips.

9. 9

   In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, lemon juice, and grated Parmesan cheese.

10. 10

    While whisking continuously, drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil until the dressing becomes smooth and creamy.

11. 11

    Add water as needed to thin the dressing, then season it with salt and pepper to taste.

12. 12

    In a bowl, combine the lettuce, boiled pasta, and Parmesan cheese.

13. 13

    Add the extra-virgin olive oil and toss gently.

14. 14

    Add the Caesar dressing and mix it into the salad.

15. 15

    Plate the dressed pasta salad and top it with the crispy chicken strips.

16. 16

    Finish with Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and black pepper. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste if needed.

Notes

The source lists “bread crumbs” in the ingredients but calls them “panko bread crumbs” in the method. The amount of frying oil and garnish quantities are not specified. The Caesar ingredient line appears to contain a transcription error: “1/3 cups lettuce freshly grated Parmesan cheese” was interpreted as 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• salad
• pasta
• chicken
• crispy
• fried
• Caesar
• family-friendly