If you’re looking for a dinner that’s equal parts crispy, creamy, and crunchy, these Crispy Chicken Caesar Lettuce Wraps are the way to go. You’ve got ultra-crispy fried chicken tucked into fresh romaine leaves, loaded with sharp Parmesan, crunchy croutons, and a rich homemade Caesar dressing that puts the bottled stuff to shame. They’re fast enough for a weeknight but fancy enough to serve to friends. No forks needed, just grab and go. This one checks all the boxes: flavor-packed, hands-on, and way more satisfying than your average salad.

Chicken Caesar Lettuce Wraps
You’ll get big flavor without heavy carbs, and the lettuce adds a clean crunch that balances the richness of the fried chicken and creamy dressing. It’s the kind of mashup that keeps people coming back for seconds.
Kids will love the chicken, and adults will appreciate the Caesar upgrade. This one works for game day, summer dinner parties, or casual Tuesday nights.
That homemade Caesar is sharp, tangy, and anchored by Parmesan and roasted garlic. Make it ahead to keep things simple when it’s time to eat.
Use romaine hearts for the best crunch, or swap in butter lettuce for a softer bite. Either way, these wraps stay sturdy and satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
- Crispy Chicken Without the Fuss – Fried in shallow oil, seasoned to perfection, and done in under 30 minutes.
- Homemade Caesar Dressing – Creamy, punchy, and made with real ingredients—anchovies optional but recommended.
- Lettuce as a Wrap – Fresh romaine holds up and keeps the dish light without sacrificing texture.
- Family-Friendly, Crowd-Approved – A hit with all ages, easy to customize on each plate.
- Prep Ahead Options – Make the dressing and even the chicken in advance for a faster dinner.

Crispy Chicken Caesar Wrap Shopping List
Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
This list is long. If you want to simplify things, you can use a bottled Caesar dressing instead of making it on your own.
Crispy Chicken
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs – Juicy and flavorful; thighs hold up well to frying and stay tender.
- OWYD SPG (Salt, Pepper, Garlic) – Your base seasoning; make your own blend or use a store-bought mix.
- All-Purpose Flour – Creates the crisp crust; pairs with cornstarch for added crunch.
- Cornstarch – Lightens the flour mixture and helps the coating stay crisp.
- Cayenne Pepper – Optional, adds a kick.
- Paprika – Adds color and a subtle warmth.
- Buttermilk – Helps tenderize the chicken and binds the coating.
- Large Eggs – Helps the dredge stick; also adds structure to the batter.
- Hot Sauce – Optional, brings heat and tang to the batter.
- Neutral Oil – For frying; use canola, vegetable, or peanut oil.
Caesar Dressing
- Anchovy Fillets – Brings that signature Caesar umami; sub with anchovy paste or skip if preferred.
- Roasted Garlic – Adds a mellow depth to the dressing; raw works if you like it sharper.
- Mayonnaise – Base of the dressing, adds richness.
- Sour Cream – Balances the mayo with tang.
- Half-and-Half – Loosens the dressing without watering it down.
- Parmigiano Reggiano – Salty, nutty, and essential; grate fresh if you can.
- Fresh Lemon Juice – Cuts through the richness and lifts the flavors.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Adds depth; key Caesar ingredient.
- Dijon Mustard – Binds and brightens the dressing.
- Garlic Salt – Seasoning shortcut that boosts garlic flavor and salt in one hit.
- Fresh Parsley – Brings a little color and freshness to the dressing.
Wraps & Finishes
- Romaine Hearts – Crunchy and sturdy enough to hold everything.
- Croutons – Adds more crunch; lightly crushed so they nestle in.
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper – Classic Caesar finish.
- Lemon Wedges – Adds brightness right before serving.
Grilled Balsamic Chicken Salad


How To Make Crispy Chicken Lettuce Wraps
This is just the overview so you can see what you’re actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
- Make The Dressing
Whisk or blend all dressing ingredients until smooth. Chill for at least 3 hours to let the flavors meld. - Prep The Chicken
Pat the chicken thighs dry and season with SPG. Let them rest while you prep the dredge and batter. - Bread And Fry
Mix the dry dredge and wet batter, then combine them into a shaggy dough. Coat each thigh well, pressing in the mixture. Fry at 350°F in about 1 inch of oil until golden and cooked through. - Slice And Assemble
Rest fried chicken on a rack, then slice into strips. Spread dressing onto each romaine leaf, add chicken, cheese, and crushed croutons. - Finish And Serve
Top with black pepper and a squeeze of lemon. Serve with extra dressing on the side.
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Chicken Caesar Lettuce Wraps FAQ
Store the chicken and dressing separately in the fridge. Keep romaine unwashed and wrapped in paper towels for best texture.
Yes, just use the oven or air fryer at 375°F for 5–10 minutes to keep the coating crisp.
The Caesar dressing can be made 2–3 days ahead. The chicken can be fried earlier in the day and reheated before serving.
Anchovy paste works well, or you can skip them and add extra Worcestershire for a similar flavor profile.
You can, but it won’t be as crispy. For a lighter version, try air frying with a breaded coating.

More Chicken Recipes
- Grilled Chopped Chicken Salad
- Smoked Whole Chicken
- Blackstone Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
- Smoked Chicken Tacos
- Brined Smoked and Fried Chicken
These Chicken Caesar Lettuce Wraps are crunchy, creamy, and packed with flavor from top to bottom. The chicken is crisp and juicy, the Caesar dressing is bold and rich, and the lettuce keeps everything fresh. It’s easy to prep, fun to eat, and perfect for feeding a group.

Chicken Caesar Lettuce Wrap

This homemade crunchy chicken caesar lettuce wrap is an amazing lunch or dinner option that takes your typical fried chicken up SO many notches!
Ingredients
Fried Chicken
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1½ to 2 pounds total)
- 2 teaspoons OWYD SPG (salt, pepper, garlic), divided
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- ¾ teaspoon paprika
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
- Neutral oil for frying
Caesar Dressing (scaled for 6)
- 3 anchovy fillets
- 1 small clove roasted garlic (or raw, finely minced)
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup half-and-half
- 6 tablespoons finely grated Parmigiano Reggiano (about 3/8 cup)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2¼ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/3 teaspoon garlic salt
- ¾ teaspoon finely chopped parsley
Wrap Fixings
- 3 hearts of romaine, leaves kept whole
- ½ cup finely grated or shaved Parmigiano Reggiano
- 1 cup croutons, lightly crushed
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
Make the dressing
- Whisk all dressing ingredients until smooth (or blend). Chill at least 3 hours.
Fry the chicken
- Pat thighs dry; season with 1½ teaspoons SPG. Rest 10–15 minutes.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, cornstarch, cayenne, paprika, and remaining ½ teaspoon SPG.
- In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, eggs, and hot sauce (if using).
- Pour the wet mix into the dry and stir to form a thick, shaggy dough.
- Press thighs into the dough to coat fully.
- Heat 1 inch of oil to 350°F. Fry in batches 3–5 minutes per side, to ≥165°F internal.
- Drain on a rack 5 minutes. Slice into strips.
Assemble
- Lay romaine leaves on a tray. Add a thin swipe of dressing down the center.
- Top with warm chicken, Parmesan, and crushed croutons.
- Finish with black pepper and a squeeze of lemon. Serve extra dressing on the side.
Notes
Butter lettuce works if you prefer softer leaves.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 725Total Fat: 45gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 30gCholesterol: 242mgSodium: 1211mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 42g
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate. If you are tracking these things for medical purposes please consult an outside, trusted source. Thanks!