Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich Recipe
This Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich combines juicy, buttermilk-marinated chicken breasts fried to golden perfection with a tangy, creamy Caesar dressing served on toasted brioche buns. Crisp romaine lettuce and shaved Parmesan cheese add freshness and a savory finish to every bite, making this sandwich a satisfying and flavorful lunch or dinner option.
- Author: Sienna
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
For the Chicken Marinade
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Coating
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Caesar Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For Assembling
- 4 brioche buns, split
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Tomato slices
- Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk, hot sauce, salt, and black pepper. Submerge the chicken breasts completely in this marinade. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- Prepare the Dredging Station: In a shallow dish, combine all-purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper if using. Mix well to create a consistent coating mixture.
- Dredge the Chicken: Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. One piece at a time, thoroughly coat each breast in the flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure it sticks well. Place dredged chicken on a wire rack to set.
- Heat the Oil: Pour approximately 1 inch of vegetable oil into a heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven. Heat over medium-high until oil reaches 350°F (175°C) to prepare for frying.
- Fry the Chicken: Carefully add chicken breasts to hot oil without overcrowding. Fry for 6-8 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Drain the Chicken: Using a slotted spoon, transfer chicken to a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil while retaining crispiness.
- Combine Dressing Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper for the Caesar dressing base.
- Emulsify the Dressing: Slowly add olive oil in a steady stream while whisking constantly until the dressing becomes smooth and well-emulsified.
- Taste and Adjust: Sample the dressing and tweak seasonings if needed to balance flavors.
- Toast the Buns (Optional): Lightly toast brioche buns to enhance texture and prevent sogginess.
- Spread the Dressing: Generously spread Caesar dressing on both halves of each toasted bun.
- Add the Lettuce: Layer a bed of chopped romaine lettuce on the bottom half of each bun for crunch and freshness.
- Add the Chicken: Place one crispy chicken breast atop the lettuce on each sandwich.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkle shaved Parmesan cheese over the chicken to add sharp, nutty flavor.
- Add Tomato (Optional): If desired, place tomato slices on top of the cheese for juiciness and color.
- Top with the Bun: Cover the sandwich with the top half of the brioche bun, pressing gently.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy the Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich immediately while the chicken is hot and the bread still toasted.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken for longer (up to 4 hours) enhances tenderness and flavor.
- Use a kitchen thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- For extra heat, include the optional cayenne pepper in the dredging mixture.
- To keep the chicken crispy, drain it on a wire rack instead of paper towels alone.
- Toasting the brioche buns is optional but recommended to prevent sogginess from the dressing.
- Optional tomato slices add freshness and moisture but can be omitted if preferred.
Keywords: crispy chicken sandwich, Caesar sandwich, fried chicken, buttermilk chicken, chicken sandwich recipe, homemade sandwich