Crispy Chicken Caesar Pita (Printer Version)

Air-fried chicken strips with Caesar salad fill warm pita pockets for a quick, satisfying meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Crispy Chicken

01 - 2 large chicken breasts, cut into strips
02 - 1 cup buttermilk
03 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
04 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
06 - ½ teaspoon paprika
07 - ½ teaspoon salt
08 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
09 - Cooking spray

→ For the Caesar Salad

10 - 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
11 - ½ cup Caesar dressing
12 - ¼ cup shaved Parmesan cheese
13 - ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
14 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ For Assembly

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

# How to Prepare:

01 - Submerge chicken strips in buttermilk for 15 minutes to 2 hours to tenderize.
02 - Mix panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a shallow bowl.
03 - Lift chicken from buttermilk, allow excess to drip off, then press firmly into breadcrumb mixture until evenly coated.
04 - Arrange breaded strips in a single layer in air fryer basket. Lightly coat with cooking spray and cook at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
05 - Combine chopped romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing, shaved Parmesan, and cherry tomatoes in a large bowl. Toss until evenly coated.
06 - Heat pita breads in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side or microwave for 15 seconds. Slice open to create pockets.
07 - Fill each pita pocket with Caesar salad mixture and 2–3 crispy chicken strips. Drizzle with additional Caesar dressing and serve with lemon wedges.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The air fryer creates that impossible crunch without a drop of oil
  • You get all the satisfaction of chicken tenders with zero of the mess
  • Everything including the vegetables stays comfortably tucked inside
02 -
  • Crowding the air fryer basket creates steamed chicken instead of crispy chicken
  • The buttermilk soak is nonnegotiable for that restaurant-quality texture
  • Letting the excess buttermilk drip off prevents soggy breading
03 -
  • Let the chicken rest for 2 minutes after air frying for the juiciest results
  • Warm your pitas just before serving so they are pliable and easier to stuff
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