Chopped Chicken and Cabbage Caesar Salad Recipe
Introduction
This Chopped Chicken and Cabbage Caesar Salad is a fresh twist on a classic favorite. Crispy breaded chicken cutlets pair perfectly with crunchy cabbage and a tangy Caesar dressing made from Greek yogurt. It’s a satisfying and lighter salad option that’s easy to prepare for any meal.

Ingredients
- ½ cup 0% Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 teaspoons capers (drained)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (or 2 anchovy fillets minced)
- 1.5 – 2 tablespoons lemon juice (fresh squeezed)
- Kosher salt (to taste)
- Few turns cracked black pepper (to taste)
- 1-2 tablespoons water (to thin dressing – optional)
- 1 lb. chicken breasts (butterfly and pound into 4 thin cutlets)
- Kosher salt (to season the cutlets)
- Cracked black pepper (to season the cutlets)
- 1 large egg (whisked)
- ⅔ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup Italian breadcrumbs
- Avocado oil (as needed for shallow frying)
- ¼ head green cabbage (chopped)
- ½ – ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese (fresh grated is best)
Instructions
- Step 1: Make the dressing by combining Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, grated parmesan cheese, drained capers, anchovy paste, garlic, and fresh lemon juice in a food processor. Blend until smooth. Season with kosher salt and cracked black pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate.
- Step 2: If you prefer a thinner dressing, add 1-2 tablespoons of water and blend again until you reach the desired consistency.
- Step 3: Set up the breading station with the whisked egg in one plate, and a mixture of grated parmesan, panko, and Italian breadcrumbs on another plate. Mix the breadcrumbs and parmesan together.
- Step 4: Butterfly the chicken breasts into four thin cutlets. Place them between parchment or in a sealable bag and gently pound until thin and even. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Step 5: Season both sides of each chicken cutlet with kosher salt and cracked black pepper.
- Step 6: Dip each cutlet first into the whisked egg, then coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture. Repeat for all cutlets.
- Step 7: Heat a thin layer of avocado oil in a pan over medium heat. Once hot but not smoking, add two chicken cutlets at a time without overcrowding the pan.
- Step 8: Shallow fry the cutlets until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Remove and drain on a cooling rack with paper towels.
- Step 9: Remove the core from the green cabbage and slice into 1-inch thick pieces. Top with two cooked chicken cutlets and chop the cabbage and chicken together until combined.
- Step 10: Add ½ to ¾ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese and toss well to combine.
- Step 11: Pour the desired amount of Caesar dressing over the salad. Toss again to coat evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Step 12: Serve immediately and enjoy your fresh chopped chicken and cabbage Caesar salad!
Tips & Variations
- Use fresh lemon juice and good quality parmesan for the best flavor in the dressing.
- For a crispier chicken, combine equal parts panko and Italian breadcrumbs.
- Swap avocado oil for olive oil if preferred, but avocado oil has a higher smoke point for frying.
- Try adding chopped fresh herbs like parsley or basil to the salad for extra freshness.
- If you want a dairy-free version, omit the parmesan in the dressing and salad, and use dairy-free mayo.
Storage
Store leftover salad and chicken separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat the chicken cutlets gently in a low oven or toaster oven to keep them crispy. The dressing is best added fresh before serving to avoid sogginess.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use pre-cooked chicken for this salad?
Yes, pre-cooked chicken can be used. Just ensure it’s shredded or chopped into bite-sized pieces before mixing with the cabbage and dressing.
How do I keep the chicken crispy after frying?
Place cooked chicken on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess oil. Avoid stacking the cutlets, and reheat in a hot oven to maintain crispiness.
Print
Chopped Chicken and Cabbage Caesar Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
This Chopped Chicken and Cabbage Caesar Salad is a fresh and healthy twist on the classic Caesar salad, featuring crispy shallow-fried breaded chicken cutlets paired with crunchy green cabbage and a creamy, tangy homemade Caesar dressing made from Greek yogurt and parmesan. Perfect as a light lunch or dinner, it’s bursting with flavor and texture while keeping it nutritious.
Ingredients
Dressing
- ½ cup 0% Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons capers, drained
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (or 2 anchovy fillets minced)
- 1.5 – 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Cracked black pepper, to taste
- 1–2 tablespoons water (optional, to thin dressing)
Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breasts (butterflied and pounded into 4 thin cutlets)
- Kosher salt, to season cutlets
- Cracked black pepper, to season cutlets
- 1 large egg, whisked
- ⅔ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup Italian breadcrumbs
- Avocado oil, for shallow frying
Salad
- ¼ head green cabbage (chopped)
- ½ – ¾ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: Combine the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, parmesan, capers, anchovy paste, garlic, and lemon juice in a food processor. Blend until smooth and well combined. Season with kosher salt and cracked black pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Optionally, add 1-2 tablespoons water to thin the dressing if desired.
- Setup the Breading Station: On one plate, place the whisked egg. On a second plate, mix together grated parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, and Italian breadcrumbs until combined.
- Prep the Chicken: Butterfly the chicken breasts into four thin cutlets. Place them between parchment paper or in a sealable bag and gently pound with a meat mallet until thin and even. Pat dry with a paper towel and season both sides with kosher salt and cracked black pepper.
- Bread the Chicken: Dip each chicken cutlet first into the whisked egg, then coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb and parmesan mixture. Repeat for all cutlets ensuring an even coating.
- Shallow Fry: Heat a thin layer of avocado oil in a pan to cover the bottom. Once the oil is hot but not smoking, add two chicken cutlets at a time without overcrowding. Shallow fry until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F, flipping once to brown both sides evenly. Remove and place on a cooling rack for about 5 minutes to drain excess grease, patting with paper towels if needed.
- Assemble the Salad: Remove the core from the green cabbage and slice into 1-inch thick pieces. Top with the cooked chicken cutlets and chop together until combined. Add freshly grated parmesan cheese (about ½ to ¾ cup) and toss well. Add the prepared Caesar dressing according to taste and toss again. Adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
- You can thin the dressing with a bit of water based on desired consistency.
- Ensure chicken cutlets are pounded evenly for uniform cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F for safety.
- Freshly grated parmesan adds the best flavor compared to pre-grated cheese.
- Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the crispness of the cabbage and chicken.
- Avocado oil is a good choice for shallow frying due to its high smoke point.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Chicken salad, Caesar salad, cabbage salad, breaded chicken, shallow fry, homemade dressing, healthy chicken recipe

