Crispy Chicken Caesar Pita (Printable Version)

Air-fried crispy chicken strips, creamy Caesar dressing, and fresh romaine stuffed in soft pitas for an easy 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

# Directions:

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 in the 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 degrees Fahrenheit 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.
07 - Heat pita breads in a dry skillet or microwave until warm, then carefully cut open to form 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 - Present immediately while chicken remains warm and crispy.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • Everything you love about a Caesar salad transformed into a warm, handheld meal that feels substantial enough for dinner
  • The air fryer creates perfectly crispy chicken without the mess of traditional frying
  • These pitas come together in under 40 minutes, making them perfect for busy weeknights when you still want something special
02 -
  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket or the chicken will steam instead of crisp up
  • Let the chicken rest for a couple of minutes after cooking so the coating does not slide right off when you cut into it
03 -
  • Pat the chicken strips dry with paper towels before marinating so the buttermilk actually sticks and does not just slide off
  • Preheat your air fryer for 3 minutes before adding the chicken for the crispiest results
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