Description
These Crispy Chicken Caesar Lettuce Wraps are a fresh, low-carb twist on the classic Caesar salad, combining crispy chicken tenders, crunchy parmesan crisps, and creamy homemade Caesar dressing all wrapped in crisp petite romaine or butter lettuce leaves. Ready in just 20 minutes, this recipe offers a flavorful, easy-to-make meal perfect for a light lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
For the Wraps
- Petite romaine or butter lettuce leaves (1-2 leaves per wrap)
- Crispy chicken breast tenders (prepared, grilled, or roasted)
- Fresh basil or green onions, for serving
- Black pepper, to taste
For the Parmesan Crisps
- 2 oz Parmesan cheese, finely grated (divided as needed)
For the Caesar Dressing
- ¾ cup mayonnaise (preferably Kewpie mayo)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1-2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 oz)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Make Parmesan Crisps: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread a thin, even layer of freshly grated Parmesan cheese on the parchment. Bake for about 12 minutes until the cheese is golden brown. Allow to cool; the crisps will harden as they cool. Break them into pieces for the wraps.
- Prepare Caesar Dressing: In a small blender or food processor, combine ¾ cup mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, chopped garlic cloves, Worcestershire sauce, anchovy paste, lemon juice, ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust consistency with a tablespoon of water if needed and season further with salt, pepper, lemon juice, or olive oil to taste.
- Cook Chicken: Prepare the chicken tenders according to package instructions or your preferred recipe. For maximum crispiness, cook them in an air fryer until golden and cooked through.
- Assemble Wraps: Take 1-2 lettuce leaves per wrap, add a dollop of Caesar dressing to each leaf. Place a piece of cooked chicken tender on top, add 4-5 parmesan crisps, drizzle with extra dressing, and garnish with fresh basil or green onions along with a sprinkle of black pepper. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use petite romaine or butter lettuce for sturdy yet tender wraps.
- Parmesan crisps can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container.
- Adjust garlic and anchovy paste amounts in dressing to your taste preferences.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, bake or pan-fry chicken tenders to achieve crispiness.
- For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt, but note it will alter the dressing’s flavor and consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
