Crispy Herbed Chicken Caesar Pitas (Print Version)

Tender herbed chicken with a golden crust paired with fresh Caesar salad in warm pita pockets.

# What You Need:

→ 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

→ 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 (optional)

→ Assembly

18 - 4 large pita breads
19 - Lemon wedges (optional)

# Directions:

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

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The crispy herbed crust stays crunchy even tucked inside the pita
  • Everything cooks in one skillet, and you can prep the salad while the chicken sizzles
  • This is the Caesar salad you can actually eat with your hands without making a mess
02 -
  • Do not skip the step of warming your pitas, as cold pitas crack when you try to open them
  • Let the chicken rest on paper towels for at least two minutes before slicing to keep that crust crispy
  • The salad goes into the pita first, creating a bed that protects the pita from any moisture
03 -
  • Pat the chicken completely dry before breading, or the coating will slide right off
  • Keep one hand designated for dry ingredients and one for wet to avoid the dreaded clumpy fingers situation
  • Use instant read thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit internally
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