I love Caesar Salad. Always have, always will. Top it with chicken tenders and WOW – it brings me back to my childhood days. Growing up my grandparents lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico and although I could go on and on about the incredible Tex Mex plates there now, when I was younger I admit I still went straight for the chicken tenders and fries. Being health-conscious, my parents would insist on switching out the fries for a Caesar salad. After countless summers eating this for lunch and dinner, I decided I needed an “adult version.” Here it is and boyyyy is it good if I say so myself!

I made a slightly spicier version of my favorite Crispy Crack Chicken Nuggets. Complete with hot honey drizzled on top and my secret weapon to highly flavorful chicken… coating it in spices before breading! Then I paired it with Yoshii’s Caesar Dressing… and BAM. Instant adult glow up of a childhood classic.

If you missed the straight Caesar dressing recipe, here are the quick details: My mother-in-law’s family name is Yoshii and I would be wrong to say this Caesar recipe was truly of my own creation. Yoshii taught me this quick and easy, homemade Caesar dressing that has since impressed many dinner guests of my own. There is no cream, no scary anchovies (though there is anchovy paste, trust me it’s a game changer), and no hard-to-find ingredients. Make this for a crowd and I promise you will get people asking for the recipe.

CAESAR SALAD

INGREDIENTS

2 bunches romaine

1 lemon

¼ cup parmesan

¼ cup dijon mustard

3 tbsp. olive oil

1 tsp. anchovy paste

1 tsp. worcester sauce

1 tbsp. hot sauce of choice (my choice: Frank’s Original Hot)

salt & pepper

+additional parmesan for topping

Serving Size: 4

INSTRUCTIONS

• Roughly chop romaine and place in salad bowl.
•  In a separate small bowl, combine olive oil, lemon, Dijon mustard, anchovy paste, Worcester sauce, hot sauce, and salt & pepper for the dressing.
• Toss the romaine with dressing and parmesan.

HOT CRISPY CRACKER CHICKEN

INGREDIENTS

1 lb. chicken breast

2 cups crackers of choice (I use Simple Mills but any cracker works)

1 tbsp. italian seasoning

1 tbsp. arrowroot starch (sub: potato starch)

1 egg

1 tbsp. paprika 

1 tbsp. ancho chili powder

salt & pepper

2 tbsp. cooking oil (I use avocado oil due to its high heat capabilities)

drizzle of hot honey

INSTRUCTIONS

• In a food processor, crush crackers.

(If you don’t have a food processor, use a Ziploc bag, pour in crackers, close tightly, and crush with the back of a large spoon.)

• Mix arrowroot starch and italian seasoning with the crackers and layer onto a large plate.
• Whisk one egg.
• Clean and cut chicken breast into large strips. Toss raw chicken with paprika, chili powder, salt & pepper.
• In a service line, dip chicken breast into the egg wash then coat with the cracker mix.
• Heat oil in a large skillet until super hot. Place chicken tenders on the skillet and cook 4-5 mins each side until coating is browned and chicken is cooked through.
• Drizzle hot honey on top of chicken. Add to your Caesar Salad and enjoy!