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Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich

A crunchy chicken cutlet sandwich topped with Caesar-dressed romaine and Parmesan on a crusty roll.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 620

Ingredients
  

For the chicken
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts halved horizontally into 4 thin cutlets
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese finely grated
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/3 cup neutral oil for frying, plus more as needed
For the Caesar salad filling
  • 4 cups romaine lettuce chopped, washed, and dried well
  • 1/3 cup Caesar dressing
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
For assembly
  • 4 crusty sandwich rolls or ciabatta rolls
  • 2 tablespoons softened butter or olive oil for toasting rolls
  • extra shaved or grated Parmesan for serving

Equipment

  • 1 Large skillet for frying the chicken
  • 3 shallow bowls for breading station
  • 1 tongs for turning the chicken
  • 1 Cutting board for prep
  • 1 knife for slicing rolls and chicken
  • 1 mixing bowl for tossing the lettuce

Method
 

Prepare and bread the chicken
  1. Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create thin cutlets. If needed, gently pound them to an even thickness. Season both sides with the salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
  2. Place the flour in one shallow bowl. In a second bowl, whisk the eggs with the water. In a third bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the finely grated Parmesan and Italian seasoning.
  3. Dredge each chicken cutlet in flour, dip in the egg mixture, and press into the panko mixture until fully coated. Set the breaded cutlets on a plate or tray.
Cook the chicken and prepare the filling
  1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Fry the chicken cutlets in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until deeply golden, crisp, and cooked through. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack.
  2. In a mixing bowl, toss the chopped romaine with Caesar dressing, grated Parmesan, lemon juice, and black pepper to taste until evenly coated.
Toast and assemble
  1. Split the sandwich rolls and lightly butter them or brush with olive oil. Toast in a skillet or under the broiler until lightly golden.
  2. Place one crispy chicken cutlet on the bottom half of each roll. Top with the dressed romaine and finish with extra shaved or grated Parmesan.
  3. Close the sandwiches and serve immediately while the chicken is hot and crisp and the lettuce is cold.

Notes

Keep the lettuce filling separate until just before serving for the best crunch. Chicken can be air-fried instead of pan-fried. Reheat leftover chicken in the oven or air fryer to restore crispness.