Chicken Caesar Cutlets Recipe

Zesty Chicken Caesar Cutlets Recipe: A Fresh Family Favorite

Crispy chicken caesar cutlets bring a delightful twist to your classic comfort meal.

Breaded and seasoned with zesty parmesan, these tender pieces promise a mouthwatering experience.

Perfecting this dish requires simple ingredients and clever techniques.

Mediterranean herbs and garlic infuse each bite with incredible flavor.

We’ll show you how to create restaurant-quality cutlets right in your kitchen.

Crunchy on the outside and juicy within, these cutlets will become your new go-to weeknight dinner.

Prepare to impress everyone at the table with this irresistible recipe.

Why Chicken Caesar Cutlets Are a Crispy Comfort Pick

  • Savor Gourmet Flavor Twist: Transform classic chicken cutlets into a caesar salad-inspired masterpiece with bold, tangy flavors that elevate everyday cooking.
  • Master Quick Culinary Skills: Learn a simple breading technique that creates perfectly crispy, golden-brown chicken with professional-level results anyone can achieve at home.
  • Customize Your Dinner Magic: Adapt the recipe by adding different herbs, spices, or cheese to suit personal taste preferences and make each meal uniquely delicious.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Deliver a restaurant-quality dish that appeals to both kids and adults, making it ideal for family dinners, gatherings, or casual weeknight meals.

What Goes Into Savory Chicken Caesar Cutlets

Protein Base:
  • Chicken Breasts: Tender, lean meat that serves as the main protein for the cutlets.
Breading Components:
  • All-Purpose Flour, Caesar Dressing, Eggs, Breadcrumbs, Parmesan Cheese: Create a flavorful, crispy coating that adds texture and richness to the chicken.
Seasoning and Finishing Ingredients:
  • Olive Oil: Provides a medium for frying and adds a subtle, smooth flavor to the cutlets.
  • Garlic, Parsley: Fresh herbs that enhance the overall taste and provide a bright, aromatic garnish.
  • Lemon: Adds a fresh, zesty citrus note that cuts through the richness of the fried cutlets.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the chicken and breading.

Crispy Chicken Caesar Cutlets Made Easy

Step 1: Flatten the Chicken

Gently pound chicken breasts between plastic wrap using a meat mallet until they reach an even 1/4-inch thickness. This ensures uniform cooking and tender meat.

Step 2: Create Breading Layers

Set up three shallow dishes for the perfect coating:
  • First dish: seasoned flour
  • Second dish: whisked eggs blended with caesar dressing
  • Third dish: breadcrumbs mixed with grated parmesan cheese

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

Dredge each chicken breast through the breading stations:
  • First, coat in seasoned flour, shaking off any excess
  • Next, dip thoroughly in egg and caesar dressing mixture
  • Finally, press into seasoned breadcrumb and cheese mixture, ensuring complete coverage

Step 4: Heat the Cooking Pan

Pour olive oil into a large skillet, heating over medium-high until oil is shimmering and reaches approximately 375°F.

Step 5: Fry the Cutlets

Carefully slide breaded chicken into hot oil. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and internal temperature hits 165°F.

Step 6: Prepare Garnish

While cutlets are cooking, mince fresh garlic and chop parsley for final touch.

Step 7: Drain and Rest

Transfer cooked cutlets to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil. Allow to rest 2-3 minutes for juices to redistribute.

Step 8: Add Final Touches

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over cutlets, dust with additional parmesan, and squeeze fresh lemon juice on top for bright flavor.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Plate the crispy caesar chicken cutlets immediately while hot and perfectly crunchy.

Tips for Golden Cutlets and Creamy Caesar Flavor

  • Master Even Thickness: Pound chicken breasts carefully to ensure uniform 1/4-inch thickness for consistent, perfectly cooked cutlets.
  • Breading Technique Matters: Create a systematic dredging process by using three separate dishes to guarantee maximum flavor and crispy coating.
  • Temperature Control: Maintain medium-high heat around 375°F to achieve golden-brown exterior without burning the breading.
  • Drain Excess Oil: Place cooked cutlets on paper towels to remove extra oil and keep the crispy texture intact.
  • Rest Before Serving: Allow cutlets to rest 2-3 minutes after cooking to help juices redistribute and maintain optimal crispiness.

Different Ways to Enjoy Chicken Caesar Cutlets

  • Mediterranean Herb Cutlets: Replace standard breadcrumbs with panko mixed with dried oregano, thyme, and rosemary for an aromatic Mediterranean-inspired coating.
  • Spicy Buffalo Caesar Cutlets: Drizzle hot sauce into caesar dressing mixture and coat finished cutlets with crumbled blue cheese for a fiery kick.
  • Crispy Parmesan Ranch Cutlets: Swap caesar dressing for ranch dressing in egg mixture and add ranch seasoning powder into breadcrumb mixture for tangy ranch flavor profile.
  • Gluten-Free Almond Crusted Cutlets: Use almond flour instead of regular flour, crushed almonds instead of breadcrumbs, and gluten-free caesar dressing for a protein-packed alternative.

What to Serve With Chicken Caesar Cutlets for Balance

  • Boost Flavor Companions: Crisp Caesar Salad adds classic caesar dressing flavor that complements the cutlet's seasoning.
  • Refresh with Wine: Pair chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to cut through the richness and enhance the lemony, parmesan notes.
  • Perfect Side Kick: Roasted asparagus or garlic-herb roasted potatoes provide a light, herbal counterpoint to the crispy chicken.
  • Wine Alternative: Choose a light, citrusy craft beer like wheat ale or pilsner to match the bright lemon and parmesan profile of the dish.

How to Keep Chicken Cutlets Fresh and Crispy

  • Place cooled chicken caesar cutlets in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days, maintaining maximum freshness and crispiness.
  • Wrap individual cutlets tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe ziplock bags. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating to maintain texture.
  • Restore crispiness by baking cutlets in preheated oven at 375°F for 10-12 minutes. Avoid microwave, which can make breading soggy. Place on wire rack to prevent bottom from becoming wet.
  • Prepare cutlets in advance, cool completely, and store in portioned containers.

Chicken Caesar Cutlet FAQs for Quick Fixes

  • What makes the breading stick to the chicken?

Following the three-step breading process ensures each layer adheres perfectly. First, the seasoned flour creates a dry surface, the egg mixture acts as a sticky glue, and the breadcrumb-parmesan mixture creates a crispy final coating.

  • Can I bake these cutlets instead of frying?

Yes, you can bake them at 425°F for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Place cutlets on a wire rack over a baking sheet to help maintain crispiness and ensure even cooking.

  • How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The cutlets should also appear golden brown and have a crispy exterior when properly cooked.

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Chicken Caesar Cutlets Recipe

Chicken Caesar Cutlets Recipe


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4.7 from 40 reviews

  • Total Time: 23 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Crispy chicken caesar cutlets bring Italian-American comfort to dinner tables with golden-breaded chicken coated in rich parmesan and zesty caesar dressing. Seasoned home cooks can elevate weeknight meals with this simple yet sophisticated dish that delivers classic flavor in every delicious bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Protein:

  • 4 chicken breasts
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Breading and Coating:

  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp caesar salad dressing

Cooking and Finishing:

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 lemon
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley
  • Additional parmesan cheese for garnish

Instructions

  1. Flatten chicken breasts to uniform 1/4-inch thickness using a meat mallet, ensuring even cooking.
  2. Create a breading station with three separate dishes: seasoned flour, whisked eggs mixed with caesar dressing, and breadcrumbs combined with parmesan cheese.
  3. Dredge each chicken breast first in seasoned flour, shaking off excess, then dip into egg mixture, and finally coat thoroughly with seasoned breadcrumb mixture.
  4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 375°F.
  5. Carefully place breaded cutlets into hot oil, cooking 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  6. Mince garlic and finely chop parsley while cutlets are cooking.
  7. Remove cutlets from skillet and drain on paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.
  8. Garnish hot cutlets with fresh parsley, additional grated parmesan, and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top.
  9. Let cutlets rest for 2-3 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute and maintain crispy exterior.

Notes

  • Choose thin, evenly sized chicken breasts for consistent cooking and crispy texture.
  • Pat chicken completely dry before breading to help coating adhere better and create crunchier exterior.
  • Use seasoned flour with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper for extra flavor depth in the breading.
  • Replace regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free panko for a celiac-friendly version without compromising crispiness.
  • Add fresh lemon zest to breadcrumb mixture for bright, zesty undertones that complement caesar flavors.
  • Maintain consistent oil temperature around 375°F to prevent soggy or greasy cutlets.
  • Check internal temperature with meat thermometer to ensure safe, juicy chicken every time.
  • Store leftover cutlets in airtight container and reheat in oven to preserve crispy coating.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 900 mg
  • Fat: 25 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 120 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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