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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.
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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 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.
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.
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.
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.
More Salad Recipes
Chicken Caesar Salad
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Ingredients
Caesar dressing
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, from one lemon
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, I like the brand Maille
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup mayonnaise, best quality such as Hellmann’s Real
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
- ¼ teaspoon salt & 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Salad ingredients
- 2 cooked chicken breasts, cut in strips
- 1 large Romaine lettuce, rinsed and chopped into bite-sized pieces
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese, shaved or grated
- Croutons
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.
Video
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.
