Crispy Caesar Gnocchi Salad

Ingredients

• 250 g mini gnocchi
• 1 el Cajun seasoning (For the gnocchi)
• cooking spray (A little, to coat the gnocchi)
• 400 g chicken strips
• 1 el Cajun seasoning (For the chicken)
• cooking spray (A little, for frying the chicken)
• 75 g butter lettuce
• 0.5 cucumber (Diced; estimated at approximately 100 g edible portion)
• 1 red onion (Thinly sliced into half-rings; estimated at approximately 100 g)
• 8 cherry tomatoes (Sliced; estimated at approximately 136 g total)
• Parmesan cheese flakes (Optional, for garnish)
• 5 el 2% Greek yogurt (For the dressing)
• 1 el mustard (For the dressing)
• 1 el pickle juice or white wine vinegar (Use one or the other)
• 1 tl Worcestershire sauce (For the dressing)
• lemon juice (A splash, to taste)
• pepper (A pinch, to taste)
• salt (A pinch, to taste)

Steps

1. 1

   In a bowl, mix the mini gnocchi with 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning and a little cooking spray, so that the gnocchi are lightly coated.

2. 2

   Cook the gnocchi in the air fryer at approximately 200 °C for about 10–15 minutes, until golden brown and crispy. Shake the basket thoroughly once during cooking for even browning.

3. 3

   Meanwhile, make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mustard, pickle juice or white wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and a splash of lemon juice until smooth.

4. 4

   Season the dressing with a pinch of pepper and salt. Taste and add extra lemon juice, pepper, or salt if desired.

5. 5

   Dice the cucumber, thinly slice the red onion into half-rings, and slice the cherry tomatoes.

6. 6

   In a bowl, toss the chicken strips with 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning.

7. 7

   Heat a frying pan over medium-high to high heat and add a little cooking spray. Fry the seasoned chicken strips until golden brown and fully cooked; they should no longer be pink inside and should reach an internal temperature of 74 °C.

8. 8

   Spread the butter lettuce over a large serving platter.

9. 9

   Add the cucumber, red onion, and cherry tomatoes to the platter, distributing them loosely over the lettuce.

10. 10

    Distribute the crispy gnocchi and warm chicken over the salad.

11. 11

    Spoon the dressing over the salad. If desired, finish with Parmesan cheese flakes.

12. 12

    Gently toss everything just before serving, so the vegetables and chicken are coated with the dressing while the gnocchi remain as crispy as possible.

Notes

The source does not specify an exact air-fryer or cooking time; therefore, cook the gnocchi until clearly golden brown and crispy. Serve immediately after tossing, as the gnocchi will soften from the dressing. The macros per person stated in the source are approximately 253 kcal, 3.2 g fat, 27.1 g carbohydrates, and 28.5 g protein; this estimate appears not to include the optional Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition per serving

• main-course salad
• high-protein
• chicken
• gnocchi
• Cajun
• Caesar-style
• air fryer
• quick