Chicken Caesar Cutlets

Name: Chicken Caesar Cutlets with Crouton Crust
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (5 oz) bag seasoned croutons; 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast cutlets, thinly sliced; 1.5 cups creamy Caesar dressing; 3/4 cup heavy cream; 4 tbsp butter, grated or cubed

Chicken Caesar cutlets transform Caesar salad into a main course by coating thin chicken breasts in a crunchy crouton-and-Parmesan crust, then baking until golden. The result is a restaurant-quality dish that's faster and lighter than fried versions.

🌍American 🏷️Chicken cutlets 🏷️Caesar chicken 🏷️Baked chicken 🏷️Crispy chicken Crouton crusted

🏷️

🏷️Easy dinner

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TikTok

Total

35 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$16–$26

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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TikTok

Ingredients

1 (5 oz) bag seasoned croutons
1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast cutlets, thinly sliced
1.5 cups creamy Caesar dressing
3/4 cup heavy cream
4 tbsp butter, grated or cubed

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Instructions

1
Place croutons in a large resealable bag and crush them with a meat mallet or rolling pin until they are finely chopped.
2
Pour the crushed croutons into a shallow dish. Add the seasoned breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese, then mix to combine.
3
In a separate shallow dish, combine the creamy Caesar dressing and heavy cream. Whisk until smooth.
4
Dip each chicken cutlet into the Caesar dressing mixture, ensuring it's fully coated.
5
Dredge the coated chicken in the crouton and breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to make sure the coating adheres well.
6
Arrange the breaded chicken cutlets in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
7
Top the cutlets with grated or cubed butter.
8
Bake in a preheated oven at 450°F for 10 minutes.
9
After 10 minutes, carefully flip the cutlets and return them to the oven.
10
Bake for another 10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is golden brown and crispy.
11
Remove from the oven, let rest for a few minutes, then slice and serve.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Pound chicken breasts to even 1/2-inch thickness before breading so they cook uniformly and stay tender inside while the crust crisps.
Pulse croutons into uneven chunks rather than fine crumbs — larger pieces brown better and stay crunchier than powdered breadcrumbs alone.
Let breaded cutlets rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before baking so the coating adheres and doesn't slide off during cooking.
Use a wire rack over your baking sheet to allow heat to circulate underneath, which prevents soggy bottoms and ensures even browning.

Substitutions

Seasoned breadcrumbs → panko breadcrumbs (coarser texture, less seasoning; reduce salt in Caesar dressing slightly)
Heavy cream → whole milk or half-and-half (sauce will be thinner; reduce quantity by 2 tablespoons)
Butter → olive oil (use 3 tablespoons; sauce will have a lighter flavor)
Caesar dressing → homemade Caesar with anchovies and lemon juice (more authentic, no cream needed)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooled cutlets in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes until warmed through; do not microwave, which softens the crust.

Equipment

wire rack · food processor or blender (to crush croutons)

Common Questions

Can I make these cutlets ahead of time?

Yes. Bread the cutlets up to 4 hours ahead, refrigerate uncovered on a baking sheet, then bake when ready. You can also freeze breaded cutlets for up to 3 months; add 5 minutes to bake time from frozen.

How do I keep the crouton coating crispy?

Use a food processor to pulse croutons into uneven crumbles (not fine powder), and bake on a wire rack set over a baking sheet so air circulates underneath. Avoid covering with foil while baking.

What temperature should the chicken reach?

Bake until the internal temperature reaches 165°F at the thickest point, checked with a meat thermometer. The coating should be golden brown.

Can I air-fry these instead of baking?

Yes. Spray breaded cutlets with cooking oil and air-fry at 380°F for 12–14 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden and 165°F internally.

What can I serve with Chicken Caesar cutlets?

Pair with a fresh Caesar salad, roasted vegetables, garlic bread, or mashed potatoes. The creamy Caesar sauce in the recipe works as a side dip as well.