While the chicken is the centerpiece, the salad underneath is far from an afterthought. The construction focuses on complementary textures and colors:
| Component | Approx. Value | |-----------|----------------| | Calories | 680–750 kcal | | Protein | 48 g | | Fat | 45 g | | Carbohydrates | 22 g | | Fiber | 4 g | | Sodium | 980 mg |
Note: Values vary with portion sizes and dressing amount.
What separates a standard chicken salad from the Bravo Romano version? Three key elements:
A crisp Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc complements the salty Romano crust and bright lemon vinaigrette. For red lovers, a light Chianti works beautifully.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 generous entrée salads
Enjoy your Bravo Romano Crusted Chicken Salad — a crunchy, creamy, and utterly satisfying meal that tastes like it came straight from a cozy Italian bistro.
Romano Crusted Chicken Salad is a signature "guest favourite" at Bravo! Italian Kitchen
, celebrated for its balance of savory, salty, and fresh flavors. It serves as a modern staple on their lunch and dinner menus , often cited by regulars as their "go-to" order. The "Hero" of the Plate The story of this dish centers on the Romano-crusted chicken
, which is prepared using a distinct breading technique. Unlike standard fried chicken, it uses a high ratio of Pecorino Romano cheese
mixed with panko breadcrumbs and Italian herbs. This creates a "golden, pan-seared perfection" that is thin, crispy, and deeply savory. Composition of the Salad According to the official Bravo! menu bravo romano crusted chicken salad recipe
, the salad is built with a specific set of fresh components to complement the warm, salty chicken: Fresh Greens : A base of crisp chopped greens. Savory Toppings : Topped with crispy bacon , hard-boiled , and sliced green onions Garden Freshness : Finished with diced The Dressing : Served with a signature creamy Parmesan dressing that ties the Romano cheese notes together. Recipe Highlights for Home Cooks
While the exact restaurant recipe is proprietary, home versions featured by sites like Allrecipes Wellness by Kay suggest these key steps to achieve the Bravo! style:
This Bravo! Italian Kitchen copycat recipe is a total winner if you’re craving a restaurant-quality meal at home. It perfectly balances the crunch of the breaded chicken with a bright, savory vinaigrette. The Highlights
The Chicken: The star of the show. Dredging the chicken in a mix of breadcrumbs and Romano cheese creates a salty, golden crust that stays crisp even when sliced over greens.
The Dressing: Most authentic versions use a Creamy Herb Dressing or a white balsamic vinaigrette. The tangy acidity is essential to cut through the richness of the fried chicken.
The Texture: With crisp greens, hard-boiled eggs, chopped bacon, and more Romano cheese sprinkled on top, every bite has a different, satisfying crunch. Quick Tips for Success
Don't Skimp on the Cheese: Using high-quality, freshly grated Romano in the breading makes a massive difference in flavor compared to the canned stuff.
Pound the Chicken: Flatten the breasts to an even thickness before breading. This ensures the chicken cooks through quickly without burning the delicate cheese crust.
Serve Immediately: To keep the "romano crust" from getting soggy, wait to toss the salad with dressing until the very last second.
Verdict: It’s a 10/10 "meal salad." It’s filling enough for dinner but feels fancy enough for a weekend lunch with friends. While the chicken is the centerpiece, the salad
The Romano-Crusted Chicken Salad is a signature favorite from Bravo! Italian Kitchen, known for its distinctive blend of crispy, cheesy chicken paired with a hearty mix of greens, bacon, and creamy dressing. The Official Bravo Recipe Breakdown
According to Bravo's menu, the salad is composed of specific layers:
The Protein: Romano-crusted chicken breasts, pounded thin and fried until golden.
The Greens: Typically a mix of chopped romaine or field greens.
The Toppings: Diced cucumbers, tomatoes, chopped hard-boiled eggs, crispy crumbled bacon, and sliced green onions. The Dressing: A signature creamy Parmesan dressing. Bravo Romano-Crusted Chicken Salad Copycat Recipe
This version recreates the restaurant experience at home, serving 4 people. 1. Ingredients For the Romano-Crusted Chicken: Bravo! Italian Kitchens Romano-Crusted Chicken Salad Recipe
Bravo! Italian Kitchen Romano-Crusted Chicken Salad is a hearty, flavorful dish featuring crispy, cheese-crusted chicken atop a fresh mix of greens, vegetables, and savory toppings
. This copycat guide provides everything you need to recreate the restaurant experience at home. Ingredients
: 2 large chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs), pounded thin to about 1/4-inch.
: 3/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese, 1.5 cups Italian-style breadcrumbs (or panko for extra crunch), 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, and 3 large eggs. Salad Base A crisp Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc complements
: Romaine or mixed greens, 1 cup diced tomatoes, 1 cup diced cucumbers, and 1/2 bunch sliced green onions.
: 2 chopped hard-boiled eggs and 4–6 pieces of crispy crumbled bacon.
: Creamy Parmesan or a ranch-style dressing seasoned with green onions and cracked black pepper. Life, Love, and Good Food Instructions 1. Prepare and Bread the Chicken
: Place chicken breasts between plastic wrap or parchment paper. Use a meat mallet to pound them to an even thickness (about 1/4 inch) to ensure quick, even cooking. : Lightly season both sides with salt and black pepper. Set up Stations
: Place flour in one shallow bowl. In a second, whisk eggs with a splash of water. In a third, combine breadcrumbs, grated Romano cheese, and optionally a teaspoon of garlic powder.
: Dip each piece in flour (shake off excess), then the egg wash, and finally the Romano-breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly so the crust adheres. 2. Cook the Chicken
: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for about 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165 raised to the composed with power cap F 74 raised to the composed with power cap C Bake (Alternative) : For a lighter version, bake at 375 raised to the composed with power cap F 190 raised to the composed with power cap C
) for 25–30 minutes on a parchment-lined sheet until crispy and golden. Crusted Chicken Romano | 25 Minute Crispy Chicken Dinner
Here’s a solid, detailed recipe for Bravo Romano Crusted Chicken Salad — inspired by the popular dish from Romano’s Macaroni Grill. It’s a restaurant-style meal featuring herb-crusted chicken over fresh greens with a signature sweet-tangy mustard vinaigrette.