Name: Crispy Tater Caesar Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 (4 ounce) prepared crispy chicken cutlets, cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces; Cooking spray; 2 1/2 cups frozen tater tots; 2 ounces Parmesan cheese, freshly grated with a Microplane, divided, plus more for garnish (about 1 cup); 1 cup Caesar dressing; 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zests (from 1 small lemon); 1 teaspoon Anchovy paste; 1 teaspoon grated garlic clove (from 1 large clove); 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided; 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt; 4 cups finely chopped Romaine lettuce (2 heads [8 oz.] heads); 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar

Crispy Tater Caesar Salad

This crispy tater Caesar salad is for you if you love fries in a salad. Crispy smashed tater tot croutons, a doctored-up bottled Caesar dressing, and crispy chicken cutlets join Romaine lettuce and Parmesan in this meal in a bowl.

1 hr total 10 min prep 45 min cook 4 669 cal

Instructions

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1 Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Set 2 shelves near the center of the oven. Spray a baking pan with cooking spray; place frozen chicken filets on the pan.
2 Bake in the preheated oven on the lower-center shelf until hot and crisp, about 20 minutes, turning filets over halfway through heating time. When cool enough to handle, cut filets into bite-sized pieces.
3 Meanwhile, line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, and add tater tots in an even layer.
4 Bake on upper-center shelf in the preheated oven until tots are soft and slightly baked, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven. Spray cooking spray on the bottom of a cup. Smash each tater tot into a flat disk with cup.
5 Return to the oven; bake until golden brown and crispy, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven again, and sprinkle with 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.
6 Bake again until cheese is melted, about 1 minute. Set aside to cool, about 5 minutes.
7 Meanwhile, whisk Caesar dressing, lemon juice, anchovy paste, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and salt together in a bowl until smooth.
8 Toss together lettuce, chicken, remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and remaining 1/4 teaspoon black pepper until well combined. Pour half the dressing into salad mix and toss until evenly coated. Add cooled tater tots and toss until well combined.
9 Transfer to a serving platter, drizzle with white balsamic vinegar, and garnish with more Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately. Recipe developed by Amanda Stanfield