Crispy Parmesan Asparagus Chicken Salad (Print Version)

Crispy cheese-crusted asparagus meets tender chicken and fresh greens in a zesty lemon dressed bowl.

# What You'll Need:

→ Crispy Parmesan Asparagus

01 - 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed
02 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
03 - 1/4 cup grated Asiago cheese
04 - 1/2 cup gluten-free or regular breadcrumbs
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
08 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
09 - Olive oil spray

→ Chicken

10 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded

→ Salad

11 - 6 cups mixed salad greens
12 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
13 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
14 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn

→ Lemon Dressing

15 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
17 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
18 - 1 teaspoon honey
19 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
20 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray with olive oil.
02 - In a shallow bowl, whisk eggs. In another bowl, combine Parmesan, Asiago, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
03 - Dip each asparagus spear into egg, then dredge in the cheese-breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly to coat. Arrange in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
04 - Lightly spray coated asparagus with olive oil. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, turning once halfway through, until golden and crisp.
05 - While asparagus bakes, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
06 - In a large salad bowl, combine mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and basil. Add shredded chicken and toss gently.
07 - Drizzle salad with half the lemon dressing and toss lightly to coat evenly.
08 - Top salad with hot, crispy Parmesan asparagus and drizzle with remaining dressing. Serve immediately.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The Parmesan crust gets impossibly crispy and stays that way, even under the dressing if you're quick about it.
  • It's a complete meal that feels elegant enough for guests but casual enough for a Tuesday dinner with yourself.
  • You can use any leftover chicken you have hanging around, making it endlessly adaptable to what's in your fridge.
02 -
  • Don't oversoak the asparagus in egg—a quick dip is all you need, or the coating will slide off during baking and you'll end up with sad, bare spears.
  • The asparagus must be served hot while the crust is still crispy, so time your salad assembly so everything comes together at the last moment.
03 -
  • Pat your asparagus completely dry before dipping—any moisture on the surface will prevent the egg from adhering properly.
  • If you're making this for a crowd, you can bread the asparagus up to an hour ahead and keep it in the fridge, then bake it fresh just before you plate everything.
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