Crispy Chicken Caesar Pita (Printable)

Air-fried crispy chicken, romaine, Caesar dressing, and Parmesan stuffed in warm pitas for a satisfying handheld meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Crispy Chicken

01 - 2 large chicken breasts, cut into strips
02 - 1 cup buttermilk
03 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
04 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
09 - Cooking spray

→ Caesar Salad

10 - 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
11 - 1/2 cup Caesar dressing
12 - 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
13 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
14 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Assembly

15 - 4 pita breads, warmed
16 - Extra Caesar dressing for drizzling
17 - Lemon wedges

# How To Make It:

01 - Submerge chicken strips in buttermilk and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, up to 2 hours for enhanced tenderness.
02 - Combine panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a shallow bowl.
03 - Remove chicken from buttermilk, allowing excess liquid to drain. Coat each strip thoroughly in breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure even adhesion.
04 - Place chicken strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket and lightly spray with cooking spray.
05 - Cook at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through.
06 - Toss chopped romaine lettuce with Caesar dressing, shaved Parmesan, and cherry tomatoes in a mixing bowl.
07 - Heat pita breads in a dry skillet or microwave until warm, then carefully cut open to create pockets.
08 - Fill each pita pocket with Caesar salad and 2 to 3 chicken strips. Drizzle with additional Caesar dressing and add lemon juice if desired.
09 - Serve immediately while chicken remains hot and crispy.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It transforms a classic salad into something you can actually sink your teeth into without needing a fork
  • The air fryer gives you that satisfying crunch without the mess and guilt of deep frying
  • Everything cooks in under 20 minutes, making it perfect for those nights when takeout sounds tempting but you want something real
02 -
  • Overcrowding your air fryer basket is the quickest way to soggy chicken, so cook in batches if necessary
  • The pita pockets will tear if you try to stuff them when cold, so warming first is nonnegotiable
03 -
  • Use one hand for wet ingredients and one for dry to keep your fingers from becoming a breaded mess
  • Let the chicken rest for 2 minutes after air frying so the coating stays crisp when you bite into it
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