Go Back

The Best Chicken Caesar Sandwich Recipe (Better Than Any Deli)

Print Recipe

Ingredients

Caesar Dressing

  • 3 egg yolks about 54 g
  • 8 anchovy fillets 30 g
  • 4 garlic cloves 20 g
  • 1½ cups neutral oil 360 g
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice 30 g
  • Zest of 1 lemon 6 g
  • Small handful fresh basil optional (10 g)
  • ½ cup shaved Parmesan optional (50 g)
  • Kosher salt to taste
  • Fresh cracked black pepper to taste

Chicken

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs 454 g
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil 15 g
  • 1 tbsp paprika 7 g
  • 1 tsp garlic powder 3 g
  • 1 tsp citric acid 5 g
  • Kosher salt to taste
  • Fresh cracked black pepper to taste

Sandwich

  • 2 baguettes
  • 1½ cups shaved Parmesan 120 g
  • 4 cups Bibb lettuce 140 g
  • 2 tbsp Caesar dressing 30 g
  • Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

  • Add the egg yolks, anchovy fillets, garlic, and neutral oil to a tall container or wide-mouth jar. Blend with an immersion blender until the mixture is fully emulsified and thick.
  • Add the fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and basil if using. Blend again until smooth, then season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. If making a traditional Caesar dressing, fold in the shaved Parmesan. For this sandwich, reserve the Parmesan for assembly.
  • Toss the chicken thighs with the neutral oil, paprika, garlic powder, citric acid, kosher salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
  • Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat. Add the chicken thighs and cook undisturbed until a deep golden crust develops. Flip and cook the second side until well browned.
  • Transfer the skillet to a 400°F oven and cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Let the chicken rest for several minutes before chopping it into bite-sized pieces.
  • Slice the baguettes in half and toast the cut sides in a skillet until golden brown.
  • Top the toasted baguettes with the chopped chicken. Generously shave Parmesan over the chicken and allow some cheese to fall directly onto the hot skillet. Transfer the sandwiches to the 400°F oven until the Parmesan is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned with crispy edges.
  • While the sandwiches finish cooking, toss the Bibb lettuce with the Caesar dressing until lightly coated. Season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper if needed.
  • Remove the sandwiches from the oven and pile the dressed Bibb lettuce on top of the chicken. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
  • Close the sandwiches, slice into portions, and serve immediately while the Parmesan is still crispy.

Notes

For the smoothest homemade Caesar dressing, fully emulsify the egg yolks, anchovies, garlic, and oil before adding the lemon juice and basil. This creates a thick, creamy dressing with a stable emulsion.
Fresh basil adds a bright herbal note, but it's completely optional if you prefer a more classic Caesar dressing.
Resist moving the chicken too early. Allowing it to develop a deep crust in the skillet creates far more flavor than constantly flipping or stirring.
Grating Parmesan directly onto the hot skillet creates an irresistible crispy cheese skirt that adds both texture and rich, nutty flavor to the sandwich.
Bibb lettuce is ideal for this chicken Caesar sandwich because it stays tender while still providing plenty of crunch. Dress it lightly so the lettuce stays crisp and the sandwich doesn't become soggy.