Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich
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A Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich is everything you love about a classic Caesar salad—garlicky dressing, crunchy romaine, salty Parmesan—paired with juicy, golden chicken cutlets tucked inside a warm, crusty baguette. It’s a handheld masterpiece that’s equal parts fresh, crunchy, creamy, and savory.
If you crave a satisfying, elevated lunch or a dinner that comes together without too much fuss, this sandwich brings restaurant-quality flavor right into your kitchen. Breaded chicken is pan-fried until crisp, the Caesar dressing is creamy with just the right tang, and the romaine adds a refreshing crunch. The combination is exactly what you want in a sandwich: rich, crisp, fresh, and incredibly delicious.
This post walks you through all the details—from how to bread the chicken perfectly, how to make Caesar dressing from scratch, what type of baguette to choose, and how to assemble this sandwich so every bite is balanced. With plenty of variations, tips, and step-by-step guidance, this Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich recipe will easily become a favorite in your home.
Why You’ll Love This Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich
There’s something undeniably nostalgic and comforting about a chicken sandwich, but this version takes things to the next level. Here’s why:
1. Perfectly balanced textures
Crispy chicken meets crunchy romaine, creamy Caesar dressing, and a warm soft-yet-crusty baguette.
2. Homemade Caesar dressing takes it over the top
Store-bought works in a pinch, but blending mayo, Greek yogurt, Parmesan, garlic, Worcestershire, and lemon juice creates a fresh, tangy, savory dressing that beats anything from the bottle.
3. Family-friendly and customizable
Everyone loves chicken cutlets, and you can easily adapt this sandwich with different breads, flavor additions, or extra toppings.
4. Works for meal prep or last-minute dinners
Bread the chicken ahead of time or prep the dressing the night before. Assembly is fast and easy.
5. A take-out favorite, but healthier
Crisping chicken at home gives you full control over ingredients, quality, and seasoning—without sacrificing that irresistible crunch.
Ingredients for Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich
Below is the full ingredient list exactly as you provided, formatted for clarity and SEO accuracy.
Caesar Dressing
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½ cup full-fat mayonnaise
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3 tablespoons Greek yogurt
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1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
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1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
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2 tablespoons lemon juice
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¼ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
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1–2 garlic cloves, minced
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¼ teaspoon black pepper
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Pinch sea salt
Chicken
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5 chicken cutlets (see note below)
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Sea salt, to taste
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Ground black pepper, to taste
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Oil for frying
Note: If using chicken breasts, slice them horizontally to create thinner cutlets.
Flour Mixture
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⅓ cup all-purpose flour
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½ teaspoon salt
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¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
Egg Mixture
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2 eggs
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¼ teaspoon salt
Breadcrumb Mixture
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¾ cup panko crumbs
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¼ cup regular breadcrumbs
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1 teaspoon dried parsley
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½ teaspoon ground black pepper
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½ teaspoon sea salt
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½ teaspoon dried oregano
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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¼ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Assembly
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2 romaine hearts, chopped
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1–2 French baguettes
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Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
How to Make a Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich (Step-by-Step)
Follow these detailed steps to ensure your Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich turns out perfect every time.
Step 1: Make the Caesar Dressing
In a medium bowl, combine:
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Mayo
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Greek yogurt
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Dijon mustard
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Worcestershire sauce
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Lemon juice
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Parmesan
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Garlic
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Salt and pepper
Whisk until smooth and creamy.
This dressing should be thick enough to cling to the romaine without dripping. If you prefer it thinner, add 1–2 teaspoons water or extra lemon juice.
Once mixed:
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Add 4–5 tablespoons of the dressing to a bowl with the chopped romaine.
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Toss to coat.
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Refrigerate the dressed salad and the remaining dressing separately to keep everything crisp.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
Lay chicken cutlets on a board. If any pieces are uneven, gently pound them to uniform thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
Season both sides lightly with:
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Sea salt
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Ground black pepper
Step 3: Set Up the Breading Station
You will need three shallow bowls:
Bowl 1: Flour mixture
Whisk together:
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Flour
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Salt
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Smoked paprika
Bowl 2: Egg mixture
Beat eggs with salt until uniform.
Bowl 3: Breadcrumb mixture
Combine:
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Panko
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Breadcrumbs
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Parsley
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Oregano
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Black pepper
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Sea salt
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Garlic powder
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Parmesan
Mix well to distribute the seasonings.
Step 4: Bread the Chicken
Working one cutlet at a time:
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Coat the chicken lightly in the flour mixture.
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Dip fully into the egg mixture.
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Press firmly into the breadcrumb mixture.
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Make sure every section is coated—press again if needed.
Place breaded cutlets on a plate while heating the oil.
Step 5: Fry the Chicken Until Crispy
Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. You want enough oil to shallow-fry—about ¼ inch deep.
Test the oil by dropping in a breadcrumb:
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If it sizzles immediately, it’s ready.
Cook each cutlet for 4–5 minutes per side until:
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Deep golden
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Crisp
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Fully cooked internally
Transfer to a wire rack so the coating stays crunchy (paper towels can soften the breading).
Step 6: Assemble the Sandwiches
Slice baguette sections (about 5 inches each) and open them lengthwise. Lightly toast if desired.
To build:
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Spread a generous layer of the reserved Caesar dressing on the inside of the bread.
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Add one crispy chicken cutlet.
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Top with a heaping portion of Caesar-dressed romaine.
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Add extra Parmesan for a salty bite.
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Close and serve immediately.
Expert Tips for the Best Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich
1. Use panko for maximum crunch
Panko provides lighter, crispier texture than regular breadcrumbs. Combined with Parmesan, it makes the perfect golden crust.
2. Don’t overcrowd the pan
Cook 1–2 cutlets at a time. Crowding the pan lowers the oil temperature and results in soggy breading.
3. Use a wire rack, not paper towels
Draining fried chicken on paper towels causes steam, softening the crust.
4. Toss the romaine at the last minute
This keeps the salad crisp and prevents the sandwich from becoming soggy.
5. Toast the bread for structure
A lightly toasted baguette stands up better to dressing and chicken juices.
What Kind of Bread Works Best?
A Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich benefits from bread that is:
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Sturdy
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Slightly crusty on the outside
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Soft inside
Great options:
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French baguette
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Ciabatta rolls
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Italian sub rolls
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Artisan sandwich loaf
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Sourdough sandwich rolls
Avoid soft hamburger buns—they collapse quickly under the dressing and salad.
What Makes This Caesar Dressing So Good?
This homemade dressing is extra creamy from the mayo and Greek yogurt combination. The lemon juice adds freshness, while Worcestershire provides that deep umami found in traditional Caesar dressings.
Parmesan and garlic bring the bold flavors Caesar lovers crave. It’s simple, bright, and incredibly flavorful—perfect for both the chicken and romaine.
Variations of the Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich
1. Grilled Chicken Version
Skip the breading and simply season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Grill until cooked through. A lighter version but still packed with flavor.
2. Spicy Caesar Chicken Sandwich
Add to the breadcrumb mixture:
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½ teaspoon cayenne
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½ teaspoon chili flakes
Stir 1 tablespoon hot sauce into the egg mixture.
3. Parmesan-Crusted Chicken
Double the Parmesan in the breadcrumb mixture and reduce the panko slightly.
4. Chicken Caesar Wrap
Use large flour tortillas and wrap the crispy chicken with Caesar salad. Ideal for lunch meal prep.
5. Chicken Caesar Sliders
Use small slider buns and cut chicken cutlets into smaller pieces for party-friendly finger food.
6. Air Fryer Method
Spray breaded cutlets with oil and air fry at 375°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.
7. Add Bacon
Crispy bacon adds smoky flavor and crunch. A restaurant-style upgrade.
What to Serve With Your Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich
This sandwich pairs beautifully with:
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Garlic Parmesan fries
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Sweet potato fries
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Caesar salad on the side
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Tomato basil soup
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Roasted vegetables
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Pasta salad
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Potato chips
For a lighter pairing, a simple green salad works perfectly.
How to Store Leftovers
Chicken
Refrigerate cooked cutlets for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven to revive crispiness.
Dressing
Keeps for 4–5 days in an airtight container.
Romaine Caesar Salad
Best eaten the same day.
Assembled Sandwich
Not recommended for storage—the bread will get soggy. Assemble fresh before eating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use pre-made Caesar dressing?
Yes, but homemade provides fresher flavor and richer texture. If using store-bought, choose a thick and creamy version.
Can I bake the chicken instead of frying?
Yes. Bake at 425°F for 18–22 minutes, flipping halfway. Spray generously with oil for golden color.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely. Thighs stay incredibly juicy and fry beautifully.
How do I keep the bread from getting soggy?
Toast the bread lightly and layer the chicken before the salad. Chicken acts as a moisture barrier.
Can I make the chicken ahead?
Yes—bread the cutlets and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before frying.
PrintCrispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich
Crispy breaded chicken, creamy homemade Caesar dressing, and crunchy romaine lettuce all tucked inside a toasted baguette — this Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich is the ultimate handheld meal! It’s a delicious lunch or dinner option that brings the flavors of a classic Caesar salad into a satisfying and totally irresistible sandwich.
Ingredients
Caesar Dressing
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½ cup full-fat mayonnaise
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3 tbsp Greek yogurt
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1 tsp Dijon mustard
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1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
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2 tbsp lemon juice
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¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan
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1–2 garlic cloves, minced
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¼ tsp black pepper
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Pinch of sea salt
Chicken
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5 chicken cutlets (see note)
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Salt & black pepper, to taste
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Oil for frying
Flour Mixture
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⅓ cup all-purpose flour
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½ tsp salt
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¾ tsp smoked paprika
Egg Mixture
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2 eggs
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¼ tsp salt
Breadcrumb Mixture
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¾ cup panko crumbs
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¼ cup plain breadcrumbs
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1 tsp dried parsley
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½ tsp ground black pepper
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½ tsp sea salt
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½ tsp dried oregano
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1 tsp garlic powder
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¼ cup grated Parmesan
Assembly
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2 romaine hearts, chopped
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1–2 French baguettes
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Extra fresh grated Parmesan
Instructions
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Make the Dressing
Mix all dressing ingredients until smooth.
Toss romaine with 4–5 tbsp of the dressing and refrigerate both until needed. -
Prep Chicken
Pound cutlets to an even thickness.
Season lightly with salt and pepper. -
Breading Station
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Plate 1: Flour + smoked paprika + salt
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Plate 2: Eggs + salt
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Plate 3: Panko, breadcrumbs, parsley, pepper, sea salt, oregano, garlic powder, Parmesan
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Bread the Chicken
Coat each piece: flour → egg → breadcrumb mixture. Press firmly so it sticks. -
Fry
Heat oil over medium to medium-high.
Fry chicken 4–5 minutes per side until crispy and golden.
Place on a wire rack to drain excess oil. -
Assemble Sandwiches
Slice baguette portions lengthwise and lightly toast if desired.
Spread a layer of the reserved dressing, add a crispy chicken cutlet, then pile on Caesar salad.
Sprinkle Parmesan, close, and serve warm.
Notes
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Don’t overload with dressing — it can make bread soggy
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For a lighter option: air-fry the chicken at 400°F for 8–10 mins per side
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Swap baguette for ciabatta or brioche sub rolls
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Add bacon for a BLT-Caesar fusion twist
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Use thigh cutlets for extra juiciness
Nutrition Information (Approximate)
Per sandwich (depending on bread size):
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Calories: 630–780
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Protein: 34–42g
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Carbohydrates: 50–65g
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Fat: 32–42g
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Fiber: 2–4g
Final Thoughts
This Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich is one of those recipes that proves simple ingredients can come together to create something unforgettable. It takes everything we love about classic Caesar salad and elevates it with golden, crunchy chicken and warm, crusty bread. Whether you’re making an impressive lunch for guests or a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe always hits the mark.
The contrast of textures is what makes it special: crisp chicken, cool romaine, creamy and garlicky dressing, and the satisfying chew of a toasted baguette. It’s bold, fresh, comforting, and downright crave-worthy. Once you try it, it will become a go-to sandwich in your meal rotation.
If you’re looking for a hearty, flavorful, and beautifully balanced meal, this Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich delivers on every level. Enjoy every bite!