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  • Chicken Caesar Salad

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    This classic chicken Caesar salad recipe is a great summertime meal. It takes minutes to prep and is loaded with texture and flavor. The creamy Caesar dressing ties everything together for one delicious and filling lunch or dinner.

    Chicken Caesar salad with homemade Caesar dressing in a bowl

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    A traditional chicken Caesar salad is one of my go-to’s during the hot summer months, and this homemade recipe I as good as any restaurants!

    Cooked chicken breast is served on a bed of romaine lettuce and drizzled in a rich, creamy, cheesy, and tangy dressing before being topped with crunchy croutons. This is a great fuss-free recipe that’s perfect for the whole family.

    Be sure to try my Quinoa Chicken Salad and Chicken Arugula Salad too!

    Why you will love this recipe!

    • Quick and easy: It takes no time at all to make this salad. Just mix together the dressing ingredients, chop some lettuce and it’s good to go.
    • Make ahead: You can make up a batch of the dressing and cook the chicken breasts ahead of time for quick-to-make lunches or dinners in the week.
    • Simple and delicious: This homemade chicken Caesar salad is perfect in it’ simplicity. It’s perfectly satisfying and filling and the dressing is so delicious!
    chicken and caesar salad

    Chicken Caesar Salad Ingredients

    Caesar Dressing

    • Garlic: Use freshly minced garlic cloves for the best flavor.
    • Anchovy paste: This gives the Caesar dressing it’s distinctive flavor. You can leave it out if you really must, but for me it’s essential. You can also use finely diced anchovy fillet.
    • Lemon juice: Use fresh lemon juice rather than bottled for the brightest and zingiest flavors.
    • Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce: For tang and umami flavors.
    • Mayonnaise: Use a good quality mayonnaise. I prefer to use full fat for the creamiest and richest flavors.
    • Parmigiano-Reggiano: Use freshly grated rather than pre-grated. It has a much stronger flavor and I find pre grated can be a little grainy in texture.
    • Salt and pepper: To season.
    Caesar dressing ingredients

    For the Caesar salad with Chicken

    • Chicken: I use cooked chicken breasts that are cut into strips. You can also use grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken, or pan-fried chicken.
    • Lettuce: Romaine lettuce is the perfect bed for the chicken. Other crisp lettuce, like Iceberg lettuce, will also work well.
    • Parmesan cheese: Shave or grate parmesan over the salad for an extra burst of flavor.
    • Croutons: You can use store-bought, or quickly make your own croutons to add crunch to the salad.
    chicken Caesar salad ingredients

    How to make the best chicken Caesar salad

    • Make Caesar dressing by stirring all ingredients into a small mixing bowl.
    • Place Romaine lettuce in a large serving bowl and sprinkle generously with shredded parmesan cheese and cooled croutons.
    • Add cooked chicken breast strips to the salad. Drizzle with Caesar dressing and toss gently until the salad is evenly coated.

    Can you make it ahead of time?

    This Caesar salad with chicken is best served close to making it so that the lettuce is nice and crisp. The creamy Caesar dressing will keep well in the fridge for up to a week and cooked chicken breasts can be kept for up to 4 days. Make up the dressing and chicken at the start of the week to make dinner times or lunch a breeze.

    What else can you add to this healthy Chicken Caesar salad?

    This is a classic chicken Caesar salad recipe, but you can easily add other toppings like crispy bacon, avocado or hard boiled eggs if you like. Make this into a side dish by omitting the chicken, or try it with another protein like chickpeas or cooked salmon. You can also add the ingredients to a wrap for a handheld lunch.

    close up shot of Caesar salad with grilled chicken in a bowl

    What’s the best chicken to use?

    I like to use skinless boneless chicken breasts that are cut into strips, I like to grill or oven bake them. You could also use shredded chicken if you have some to use up, or leftover roasted or rotisserie chicken. You can use chicken thighs or tenderloins too.

    TIPS FROM NELI’S KITCHEN

    Recipe Notes and Tips

    • Make the Caesar dressing up to a week ahead of time and keep it stored in the fridge in a sealed jar or bottle.
    • Romaine or iceberg lettuce are traditionally used, but you can make this salad with baby spinach or arugula if you prefer.
    • Don’t add the dressing until you are ready to serve or the lettuce can wilt.
    Caesar salad with grilled chicken in a bowl

    More Salad Recipes

    Chicken Caesar Salad

    This classic chicken Caesar salad recipe is a great summertime meal. It takes minutes to prep and is loaded with texture and flavor. The creamy Caesar dressing ties everything together for one delicious and filling lunch or dinner.
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes
    Servings 2 servings
    Calories 775kcal

    Email Me This Recipe

    Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!

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    INGREDIENTS

    Caesar dressing

    Salad ingredients

    INSTRUCTIONS

    • Make Caesar dressing by stirring all ingredients into a small mixing bowl.
    • Place Romaine lettuce in a large serving bowl and sprinkle generously with shredded parmesan cheese and cooled croutons. Add cooked chicken breast strips to the salad. Drizzle with Caesar dressing and toss gently until the salad is evenly coated.

    TIPS & NOTES

    • Make the Caesar dressing up to a week ahead of time and keep it stored in the fridge in a sealed jar or bottle.
    • Romaine or iceberg lettuce are traditionally used, but you can make this salad with baby spinach or arugula if you prefer.
    • Don’t add the dressing until you are ready to serve or the lettuce can wilt.

    NUTRITION

    Calories: 775kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 71g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 16g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 195mg | Sodium: 2159mg | Potassium: 632mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1666IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 556mg | Iron: 3mg
    Course Main Course, Salad
    Cuisine American
    Keyword caesar salad with chicken, classic caesar salad, traditional caesar salad
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