Description
This Crunchy Chicken Caesar Sandwich combines tender, juicy chicken breasts coated in a crispy parmesan-panko crust with fresh romaine lettuce tossed in creamy Caesar dressing, all layered between buttery, grilled sourdough bread slices. The chicken is first pan-seared for golden color and then finished in the oven for perfect doneness, creating a satisfying texture contrast. This sandwich makes for a hearty lunch or dinner with a classic, familiar flavor profile.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sandwich Assembly
- 4 slices of sourdough bread
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 4 tablespoons Caesar dressing
- Optional: sliced cherry tomatoes for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for finishing the chicken after searing.
- Prepare Coating Mixture: Combine panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese in a shallow dish, mixing thoroughly to ensure an even coating base.
- Season Chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and black pepper on both sides for balanced flavor.
- Coat Chicken: Press each chicken breast firmly into the breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture, making sure they are well coated for a crunchy crust.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts for about 3 minutes on each side until golden brown, which seals in juices and creates crispness.
- Bake Chicken: Transfer the seared chicken breasts onto a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring the chicken is fully cooked.
- Prepare Bread: While the chicken is baking, butter one side of each sourdough bread slice evenly.
- Grill Bread: Grill the buttered side of the sourdough slices in a skillet over medium heat until the surface is crispy and golden brown.
- Slice Chicken: Once cooked, let the chicken rest briefly, then slice it thinly for sandwich layering.
- Toss Lettuce: In a mixing bowl, combine chopped romaine lettuce with Caesar dressing, tossing gently until all leaves are well coated.
- Assemble Sandwich: Layer the dressed lettuce and sliced chicken on one slice of grilled sourdough bread, adding optional cherry tomatoes if desired. Top with the second slice of bread, grilled side down.
- Serve: Serve the sandwich immediately while warm and enjoy the combination of crunchy, creamy, and fresh textures.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a squeeze of lemon juice to the Caesar dressing.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes after baking to retain juices.
- You can swap sourdough with any sturdy bread like ciabatta or a baguette.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken for safety.
- Optional cherry tomatoes add a fresh burst of sweetness that complements the savory flavors.
