Crispy Chicken Caesar Pita (Printable)

Air-fried crispy chicken with Caesar salad and Parmesan tucked into warm pitas for a delicious 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

# How to Make It:

01 - Submerge chicken strips in buttermilk and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, or 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 thoroughly in breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to secure coating.
04 - Place chicken strips in single layer in air fryer basket. Apply light coating of cooking spray to all surfaces.
05 - Cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 12 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
06 - Toss chopped romaine lettuce with Caesar dressing, shaved Parmesan cheese, and cherry tomatoes in large mixing bowl.
07 - Heat pita breads in dry skillet over medium heat or microwave until warmed through. Carefully open to form pockets.
08 - Distribute Caesar salad mixture evenly among pita pockets. Top each with 2 to 3 crispy chicken strips. Drizzle with additional Caesar dressing and add lemon squeeze if desired.
09 - Serve immediately while chicken remains crispy and pitas are warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The air fryer creates impossibly crispy chicken without the mess of traditional frying
  • Everything comes together in under 40 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights
  • Each handheld pita packs satisfying crunch, creaminess, and fresh vegetables
02 -
  • Crowding the air fryer basket creates steamy, soggy chicken instead of crispy perfection
  • The buttermilk marinade is not optional, it is the key to juicy, tender chicken every time
03 -
  • Pat the buttermilk-marinated chicken mostly dry before coating, but leave it slightly tacky for best breadcrumb adherence
  • Let the chicken rest for 2 minutes after air frying to maintain maximum crispiness when assembly time comes
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