Crispy Parmesan Asparagus Chicken Salad (Printable Version)

Golden parmesan-crusted asparagus meets tender chicken over fresh greens with bright lemon dressing.

# What You Need:

→ Crispy Parmesan Asparagus

01 - 1 lb 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 tsp garlic powder
07 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
08 - 1/4 tsp 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 tbsp fresh lemon juice
17 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
18 - 1 tsp honey
19 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
20 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# Steps:

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 evenly. 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 roasts, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
06 - In a large salad bowl, combine salad 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.
08 - Arrange hot, crispy Parmesan asparagus spears on top of the salad.
09 - Drizzle with remaining dressing and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The asparagus gets genuinely crispy—not just tender—with a cheese crust that stays crunchy even when the dressing hits it.
  • It's a complete main dish salad that feels restaurant-quality but comes together in about 40 minutes flat.
  • You can prep everything ahead except the final assembly, making it perfect for busy weeknights or when friends drop by.
02 -
  • If you skip the olive oil spray on the asparagus before baking, the coating won't get crispy no matter how hot your oven is—it needs that fat to brown properly.
  • Don't assemble the salad with the hot asparagus more than a few minutes before serving, or the greens will start to wilt and the coating loses its crunch.
03 -
  • Keep your Parmesan and Asiago in the freezer for 10 minutes before grating—cold cheese grates cleaner and more evenly.
  • If your asparagus is extra thick, cut the spears in half lengthwise so the coating crisps all the way through without the centers staying tough.
Go Back