Chicken caesar salad. Thought salads had to be flavorless and boring? Think again. This protein-rich version of classic caesar is a game changer. Loaded with romaine, crispy croutons, addictingly good chicken, and cheesy parmesan, this light meal or side is exciting as well as fresh. The recipe follows a simple yet delicious combination of ingredients further accentuated by the incredible flavors of caesar dressing. Obviously, a statement salad that’s refreshing and satisfying.
Why I Love This Salad
There’s one thing every salad requires, and that’s, without a doubt, good quality ingredients that are fresh and top-notch. And this chicken salad is one of my favourites in that category. Made with ultimate deliciousness and curated with top quality flavor combination, both the salad and the dressing is totally addicting, and the best chicken salad you need in your life. It’s sort of luxe addition to your weekly meal.
Apart from the ingredients in the salad, the real focus is on the dressing. The perfect amount of anchovies with mayo, dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce and parmesan brings in tangy, umami flavored dressing that’s totally scrumptious. Trust me, it’s a total flavor bomb. The dressing flavors the crisp lettuce, crunchy croutons and tender chicken making a very beautiful salad that can still surprise and delight you in every spoonful.
Key Ingredients In Chicken Caesar Salad
- Chicken - Chicken breast is the perfect choice.
- Croutons - Use your favorite crusty bread, sourdough, Turkish bread or your regular bread to make them.
- Romaine or cos lettuce - The ultimate refreshing ingredient in this salad.
- Parmesan - The cheesy element of the dish.
- Dressing - Just follow the recipe to make the best one.
How To Make Chicken Caesar Salad:
Cook chicken - You make it anyway you want, but I prefer baking with a touch of olive oil and Italian seasoning. Believe it or not, it adds so much flavor to the salad.
Make croutons - These are one of the key elements of this salad. All you need to do is choose your favorite bread, tear into pieces, and just bake until you get golden hue with crisp edges.
Whip up the dressing - This step is super simple and pretty straightforward. We are going to make the ultimate flavorful dressing from scratch, and ditch the store bought version. So easy, but absolutely amazing.
Assemble salad - Simply combine together all the ingredients including chicken, croutons, lettuce and parmesan. And finally, pour in the dressing.
Variations:
- Avocado chicken caesar - Add avocado slices for nutrient boost.
- Pesto chicken caesar - Add basil pesto for a flavorful twist.
- Chicken caesar pasta salad - Add your favorite pasta to the salad. Halved cherry tomatoes are a brighter addition.
- Breakfast chicken caesar - Make croutons with croissants or English muffins, and add hard boiled eggs.
- Kale or spinach chicken caesar - Add a mix of kale or spinach and arugula (rocket leaves) for a nutrient loaded twist.
- Salmon or prawn (shrimp) caesar - Replace chicken with grilled salmon or prawns (shrimp).
- Parmesan chicken caesar - Use chicken parmigiana cut into cubes for ultimate crunch.
Chicken Caesar Salad
Ingredients
For chicken:
- 1 chicken breast
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
For croutons:
For the salad:
- 2 medium heads of romaine or cos lettuce, chopped or torn into bite-size pieces
- ½ cup grated or shaved Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Caesar salad dressing:
Instructions
Cook chicken:
- Preheat oven to 200C or 400F.
- Place chicken on a baking tray. Drizzle with olive oil.
- Sprinkle with paprika and Italian seasoning. Coat chicken with the spices. Season with salt and pepper.
- Bake for about 30-40 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and registers 74C or 165F on an instant-read thermometer. Slice cooked chicken into cubes and set aside.
Make the croutons:
- Follow the recipe instructions.
Make the dressing:
- Follow the recipe instructions.
Assemble the salad:
- Place lettuce, chicken and croutons in a large bowl. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Add dressing. Toss.
Video
Notes
- Serving suggestions - Serve this salad as a side, light meal, or add to sandwiches and wraps.
- Make it gluten free - Use gluten free bread to make the croutons.
Nutrition
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Cynthia says
One of my favorites!
Sienna says
Absolutely love this salad, I make this very often!
Anonymous says