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Chicken Caesar

Chicken Caesar Salad That’s Fresh, Creamy, and Delicious

There’s something about a well-made Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe that feels both comforting and sophisticated at the same time. The crisp romaine, garlicky dressing, and salty Parmesan are already a winning trio, but add juicy slices of chicken on top, and suddenly it transforms into a complete meal. I used to think of Caesar salad as just a side dish, but once I started making it this way, it became one of my favorite go-to dinners.
This recipe is for anyone who wants a balanced, protein-rich salad perfect for lunch, a light dinner, or meal prep.
Difficulty: Easy
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

For the chicken:
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
For the salad:
  • 1 large head of romaine lettuce washed and chopped
  • 1 cup croutons homemade or store-bought
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
For dressing (classic Caesar style):
  • 2 anchovy fillets or 1 tsp anchovy paste
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 TBSP lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ cup mayonnaise or 1 raw egg yolk + ½ cup neutral oil for traditional
  • Salt & black pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Cook the chicken. Rub the chicken in olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Grill or pan-sear 6–7 minutes per side until cooked through (165°F / 74°C internal temperature). Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
  2. Make the dressing. Mash the anchovies and garlic into a paste. Whisk with mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire, and mayo until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Prep lettuce. Chop romaine and pat dry completely.
  4. Assemble the salad. Toss lettuce with dressing, then top with sliced chicken, croutons, and Parmesan.
  5. Serve. Garnish with extra Parmesan shavings and cracked pepper.

Video

Notes

Lesson learned: Cutting chicken too soon dries it out. Always rest before slicing.
Lettuce matters: Dry leaves help the dressing stick instead of sliding off.
Anchovy secret: Don’t skip it, it’s what makes Caesar dressing taste authentic.
Parmesan tip: Freshly shaved Parmesan curls look beautiful on top.