Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad
This blackened chicken Caesar salad gets a spicy upgrade thanks to bold seasoning and a homemade creamy dressing. Air fryer chicken and croutons make prep fast and easy. It’s a fresh and fiery take on a classic.
Servings: 6
Equipment
- Food Processor or Blender
Ingredients
For the Blackened Chicken
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil or your preferred cooking oil
- 2 chicken breasts boneless and skinless
- 2 romaine hearts
- ½ Cup parmesan cheese shredded
- ½ Tablespoon smoked paprika
- ½ Teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 Teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 Teaspoon chili powder
- 1 Teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ Teaspoon onion powder
- 1 Teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 Teaspoon sea salt
- 1 Teaspoon black pepper
For the Caesar Dressing
- 4 Cloves garlic
- 1 lemon juiced
- 2 Teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 Teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 anchovies canned
- ½ Cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1 egg yolk
- ⅓ Cup olive oil extra virgin
- 1 Pinch salt
- 1 Pinch black pepper
For the Croutons
- ½ Loaf white bread
- 4 Tablespoons olive oil
- ½ Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ Tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 Teaspoon salt
Instructions
Season the Chicken
- Rub both sides of chicken breast with oil.
- Mix together blackened seasoning. Generously rub each side of chicken. Let chicken sit with blackened rub for 15 minutes.
Prepare the Croutons
- As the chicken sits, chop the bread into 1-inch cubes. 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°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.
Cook the Chicken
- Increase the air fryer to 370°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 or tear romaine lettuce into 1-inch pieces and add to salad bowl.
Make the Dressing
- Add all ingredients except the olive 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.
Assemble the Salad
- Pour Caesar dressing over the salad. Add parmesan and croutons and toss.
- Top with blackened chicken strips and serve.
Notes
Let the seasoning soak in: Allowing the rub to rest on the chicken enhances flavor.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer: Give croutons and chicken room to crisp up.
Layer smart: Toss greens with dressing first, then add croutons and chicken to keep texture.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer: Give croutons and chicken room to crisp up.
Layer smart: Toss greens with dressing first, then add croutons and chicken to keep texture.
Nutrition
Calories: 576kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 1320mg | Potassium: 657mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 4622IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 460mg | Iron: 6mg
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