Crispy Herbed Chicken Caesar Pitas (Print Page)

Golden crispy chicken cutlets with fresh Caesar salad tucked into warm pita pockets for a satisfying handheld meal.

# What You 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 (optional)

→ For Assembly

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

# Directions:

01 - Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create two thinner cutlets, resulting in four total pieces for even cooking.
02 - Arrange three shallow bowls: place flour in the first, whisk eggs with milk in the second, and combine panko, grated Parmesan, parsley, oregano, basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in the third.
03 - Dredge each cutlet in flour, shake off excess, dip into egg mixture, then press firmly into panko mixture to coat evenly on all sides.
04 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook cutlets for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate.
05 - Heat pita breads in a dry skillet or warm oven for 1-2 minutes until soft and pliable for easy filling.
06 - Combine romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing, shaved Parmesan, and cherry tomatoes if using. Toss until evenly coated.
07 - Cut cooked chicken cutlets into thin strips for easy pita filling.
08 - Cut each pita in half to create pockets. Fill with Caesar salad mixture, top with chicken strips, and serve immediately with lemon wedges if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The contrast between hot, crunchy chicken and cool, creamy Caesar salad creates this perfect texture explosion in every bite
  • Everything comes together in under 45 minutes but tastes like you spent much longer on it
  • The pita pocket keeps all those messy, delicious flavors contained instead of running down your arm
02 -
  • Letting the breaded chicken rest on a wire rack instead of paper towels keeps the crust crispy on all sides
  • Do not overcrowd the pan or the chicken will steam instead of getting that gorgeous crunch
  • Pat the chicken completely dry before breading or the coating will slide right off
03 -
  • Press the panko mixture firmly onto the chicken with your fingers, do not just lightly coat it
  • Let the cooked chicken rest for two minutes before slicing so the juices redistribute
  • Use tongs to flip the chicken so you do not knock off the precious coating
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