Crispy Herbed Chicken Caesar Pitas (Print Version)

Golden breaded chicken strips with Caesar salad in warm pita pockets. A handheld twist on a classic favorite.

# What You’ll Need:

→ For the Herbed Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
03 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
05 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
06 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
11 - 2 large eggs
12 - 2 tablespoons milk
13 - 3 tablespoons olive oil

→ For the Caesar Salad

14 - 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
15 - 1/3 cup Caesar dressing
16 - 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
17 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

→ For Assembly

18 - 4 large pita breads
19 - Lemon wedges

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create two thinner cutlets, yielding 4 total pieces.
02 - Place flour in one shallow bowl. Whisk eggs with milk in a second bowl. Combine panko, grated Parmesan, parsley, oregano, basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a third bowl.
03 - Dredge each chicken cutlet in flour, dip into egg mixture, then press firmly into panko mixture until evenly coated on all sides.
04 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken cutlets and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate.
05 - Heat pita breads in a dry skillet or oven for 1-2 minutes until soft and pliable.
06 - Combine romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing, shaved Parmesan cheese, and cherry tomatoes in a bowl. Toss until evenly coated.
07 - Cut cooked chicken cutlets into strips for easy pita filling.
08 - Cut each pita in half to form pockets. Fill each pocket with Caesar salad mixture, then add sliced chicken strips on top.
09 - Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything gets tucked into warm pita pockets, which means less mess and more hands-friendly eating
  • The herbed crust stays impossibly crispy while the chicken remains tender inside
02 -
  • Do not overcrowd the skillet or the chicken will steam instead of crisp, cook in batches if necessary
  • Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing so the juices redistribute and do not escape onto your cutting board
03 -
  • Season the flour with salt and pepper for an extra layer of flavor
  • Use a wire cooling rack instead of paper towels to keep the chicken crispy on all sides
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