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Classic Caesar Chicken Salad

classic caesar chicken salad - featured image

A quick and easy Caesar chicken salad featuring juicy seasoned chicken, crisp romaine, crunchy croutons, and a creamy homemade dressing packed with garlic and anchovy flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large head romaine lettuce, washed and torn into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ cup mayonnaise (120 ml)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 anchovy fillets or 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (30 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 50 g)
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup crunchy croutons (homemade or store-bought)
  • Shaved Parmesan cheese for garnish

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Let rest for 10 minutes.
  2. Heat olive oil in a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for about 6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove and let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.
  3. In a bowl or food processor, combine mayonnaise, minced garlic, anchovy fillets or paste, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, grated Parmesan, and black pepper. Whisk or pulse until smooth and creamy. Adjust lemon or salt to taste.
  4. Wash and dry romaine lettuce, tear into bite-sized pieces, and place in a large mixing bowl.
  5. Add sliced chicken and croutons to the lettuce. Pour dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly to coat every leaf.
  6. Plate the salad and garnish with shaved Parmesan cheese and a fresh grind of black pepper. Serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, use fresh garlic and anchovies in the dressing. Let chicken rest after cooking to keep it juicy. Add dressing gradually to avoid soggy lettuce. Homemade croutons are recommended but store-bought work fine. Variations include swapping chicken for shrimp, tofu, or mushrooms and using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a lighter dressing.

Nutrition

Keywords: Caesar salad, chicken salad, homemade dressing, creamy dressing, quick salad, easy dinner, healthy salad