Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe

About This Recipe

This classic Chicken Caesar Salad features crisp romaine lettuce, juicy grilled chicken, crunchy homemade croutons, and a creamy, garlicky Caesar dressing. It's a complete meal that's both satisfying and delicious. The homemade dressing takes this salad from good to restaurant-quality amazing!

Ingredients

For the Caesar Dressing:

1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 anchovy fillets, minced (or 1 tsp anchovy paste, optional)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2-3 tablespoons water to thin

For the Salad:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
2 large heads romaine lettuce, chopped
1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
2 cups croutons (store-bought or homemade)

For Homemade Croutons (Optional):

3 cups cubed bread (day-old is best)
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

If making homemade croutons: Preheat oven to 375°F. Toss bread cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, and salt. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden and crispy. Set aside to cool.
Make the Caesar dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Parmesan, and anchovies (if using). Add black pepper and thin with water until you reach desired consistency. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Cook chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes.
Slice the chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces.
In a large bowl, toss the chopped romaine lettuce with Caesar dressing until well coated. You may not need all the dressing - add to taste.
Divide the dressed lettuce among four plates or bowls. Top each with sliced chicken, croutons, and shaved Parmesan cheese.
Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and dressing on the side if desired.

💡 Nic's Tips & Notes

Anchovy Notes: Don't skip the anchovies if you can help it - they add authentic Caesar flavor without making it taste fishy. Can't find them? Use 1 teaspoon of anchovy paste.
Chicken Options: You can also use rotisserie chicken for a quicker meal, or grill the chicken for extra flavor.
Make It Lighter: Use Greek yogurt in place of half the mayo for a lighter dressing.
Crispy Lettuce: Wash and dry romaine thoroughly - wet lettuce makes the dressing watery.
Dressing Storage: Homemade dressing keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Crouton Tip: Day-old bread makes the best croutons. Fresh bread can be dried in the oven at 200°F for 10 minutes first.
Meal Prep: Store components separately and assemble when ready to eat to keep lettuce crisp.

Nutritional Information

Per serving (1 large salad):

Calories: 450 | Fat: 28g | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 32g | Fiber: 4g

Note: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used.

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