Step 1: Preparing the Caesar Dressing Start by making the creamy Caesar dressing. In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, yogurt, garlic, freshly ground black pepper, lemon juice, salt, olive oil, Parmigiano Reggiano, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Use a whisk to blend everything together until the dressing is smooth and well-combined. Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning if needed. If you prefer a stronger garlic flavor or more tanginess, feel free to add more garlic or lemon juice. Set the dressing aside in the refrigerator while you prepare the chicken.

Step 2: Preparing the Chicken Tenders To make the chicken tenders, start by cleaning any filmy skin off the chicken strips. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the egg, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. This mixture will help the breadcrumbs stick to the chicken. Once your mixture is ready, dip each chicken tender into the egg mixture, making sure to coat each piece evenly.

In a separate shallow dish, combine the flour, breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Dredge each piece of chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to ensure the chicken is fully coated.

Step 3: Baking the Chicken Preheat your oven to 400°F (about 200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or use a non-stick sheet pan. Arrange the breaded chicken tenders in a single layer on the baking sheet. Spray each tender generously with avocado oil to help achieve a crisp, golden crust during baking. Bake the tenders for 10 minutes, then flip them over, spray with oil again, and bake for another 10 minutes or until the tenders are crispy and cooked through. If you have a meat thermometer, use it to check for doneness; the chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Once done, remove the tenders from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before slicing them into bite-sized pieces.

Step 4: Assembling the Salad While the chicken is baking, prepare your salad by cutting the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Place the lettuce into a large salad bowl. Once the chicken has cooled slightly, add the chicken tenders to the salad, along with the croutons. If you prefer extra crunch, you can also add more croutons at this stage. Drizzle the creamy Caesar dressing over the salad, tossing gently to coat everything evenly. Finish off the salad by sprinkling shaved parmesan cheese on top.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy Once your salad is well-mixed and everything is coated in that rich Caesar dressing, serve immediately. If you have any leftover dressing, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.