How good does a blackened chicken Caesar salad sound right now? Imagine this easy summer salad recipe on your table this evening. This is a great air fryer blackened chicken recipe with air fryer homemade croutons and the best homemade Caesar dressing. Knowing how to make blackened chicken means you can not only make this but also tasty chicken tacos and much more.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see the privacy policy for details.
This is an air fryer recipe so you will be cutting down on the washing up. I love finding new dishes to make in the air fryer. This blackened chicken Caesar salad is really good. The air fryer is also my go-to gadget for making chicken tenders. It’s much faster than the oven and healthier than the deep fryer.
What is Caesar Salad?
This famous easy summer salad recipe has been around for a long time and there are plenty of variations. If you can make blackened chicken in the air fryer, you can add this flavourful protein to your salad. Caesar salad is also good with seafood or even just by itself.
A Caesar salad is usually a tossed salad made with romaine and croutons. The dressing is made with lemon, egg, olive oil, and parmesan. Anchovies and garlic are popular additions. You can make the best homemade Caesar dressing or use the bottled kind (homemade is best!)
How to Make Blackened Chicken
The chicken in this blackened chicken Caesar salad is clearly the star of the dish! So how do you make blackened chicken in the air fryer? And what is blackened chicken anyway?
First things first – blackening means rubbing spices all over the chicken and then cooking it. The spicy dry rub results in a tasty crust and plenty of flavour in the chicken. Before I continue, I’m going to give you some advice – and it’s important!
Ready? Open a window!!!
Whenever you’re blackening food (deliberately, I mean) your kitchen is going to fill with smoke. So open a window before you begin and don’t say I didn’t warn you!
OK so back to finding out how to make blackened chicken. The spices I used were cayenne, paprika, thyme, chilli, garlic and onion powders, cumin, salt, and pepper. After rubbing oil over the chicken, I applied these spices and seasonings all over it. Then I let it sit for a while as I made the air fryer homemade croutons.
Air Fryer Homemade Croutons
So how about the croutons? Are they easy too? You’ll be pleased to know they are. You need to cut bread into cubes and add olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt. They take about 7 minutes in the air fryer. You’ll be able to see when the air fryer homemade croutons are ready. They’ll be golden and crisp!
After making the croutons you’ll need to turn the heat up a little. Add the chicken and cook it for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. While it’s cooking you can chop the lettuce and make the dressing.
The Most Authentic and Best Homemade Caesar Dressing
If you’re making the effort and taking the time to make blackened chicken in the air fryer, consider the dressing. That’s right, your air fryer blackened chicken recipe doesn’t just need the best homemade Caesar dressing – it deserves it!
Making the dressing from scratch is always a great idea for an easy summer salad recipe. And typically dressings are simply a matter of combining a few ingredients.
This blackened chicken Caesar salad is no exception and deserves the best homemade Caesar dressing. That’s where a food processor or blender speeds up the process and makes it easier too. Combine all the dressing ingredients except the oil then add the oil bit by bit. That’s all! You won’t believe the flavour in this dressing – it’s so good!
Tips for Perfect Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad
This amazing air fryer blackened chicken recipe is well worth making. If you order Caesar salads at a restaurant, be prepared to be impressed with this recipe. It’s a really authentic blackened chicken Caesar salad and worthy of being the main dish.
If you are a fan of air fryer chicken recipes, you might also like Air Fryer Chipotle Chicken Wings with Buttermilk Firecracker Ranch.
Take care not to overcook anything. Overdone croutons will have a burnt taste while overcooked chicken will be dry. For the croutons you can see when they’re ready. For the chicken, once it reaches 165 degrees F in the center it’s done.
To assemble this easy summer salad recipe, put the cut romaine in a serving dish and add the dressing. Toss well using salad tongs or a salad fork. Add the croutons and cheese and toss again.
If you like this Caesar salad recipe, you might also like Sesame Avocado Asian Chicken Salad with Honey Ginger Dressing, Irresistible Air Fryer S’more Pie Pops with Nutella or Classic Canadian Caesar Cocktail – Canada’s National Drink.
Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons Recipe
Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons
Ingredients
Blackened Chicken
- 1 Tbsp. grapeseed oil
- 2 chicken breasts boneless skinless
- 2 romaine hearts
- 1/2 Cup parmesan cheese shredded
- 1/2 Tbsp. smoked paprika
- 1/2 Tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1 Tsp. thyme
- 1 Tsp. chili powder
- 1 Tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 Tsp. onion powder
- 1 Tsp. cumin
- 1 Tsp. sea salt
- 1 Tsp. black pepper fresh cracked
Caesar Dressing
- 4 Cloves garlic
- 1 Lemon juiced
- 2 Tsp. dijon mustard
- 1 Tsp. Worcheshire sauce
- 3 anchovies
- 1/2 Cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/3 Cup grapeseed oil
- 1 Pinch black pepper
- 1 Pinch salt
Homemade Air Fryer Croutons
- 1/2 Loaf white bread
- 4 Tbsp. olive oil extra virgin
- 1/2 Tbsp. garlic powder
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. italian seasoning
- 1 Tsp. salt
Instructions
- Rub both sides of chicken breast with grapeseed oil.
- Mix together blackened seasoning. Generously rub each side of chicken. Let chicken sit with blackened rub for 15 minutes. Prepare croutons while waiting.
- Chop bread into 1” pieces. Add to a large mixing bowl. Pour olive oil over the bread and sprinkle garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt. Toss to coat. Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees F for 5 minutes. Once heated, add bread to the air fryer and spray lightly with canola oil. Cook for 7 minutes, stopping halfway through to shake the basket. Remove and set aside.
- Preheat air fryer to 370 degrees F for 5 minutes.
- Place chicken into the air fryer basket. Cook for 10 minutes, flip, and cook 10 more minutes. Cut into strips.
- Chop romaine lettuce into 1” pieces and add to salad bowl.
- Prepare Caesar dressing. Add all ingredients except the grapeseed oil into a food processor or blender and puree for 5 seconds. Add ½ of the oil, and puree for 5 seconds. Add remaining oil and puree for 15 seconds.
- Pour Caesar dressing over the salad. Add shredded parmesan and croutons and toss. Top with blackened chicken strips.
Nutrition
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
Finally add the blackened chicken on top and serve. Everyone is going to be super-impressed with this blackened chicken Caesar salad. I guarantee it!
If you are a fan of chicken salads, you might also like this Radicchio Endive Chicken Salad with Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing.
I love my air fryer. I need to try black chicken next.
I only did the blackened chicken part of the recipe but it turn out really well! Really good flavor and had a nice golden crisp exterior. I flattened out the chicken with a mallet before cooking so I did 10 minutes on one side and only needed 7 minutes on the other side. Will definitely use this recipe again!
Good to hear!