Description
A classic Chicken Caesar Salad featuring crisp romaine lettuce, juicy grilled chicken breast, shaved Parmesan cheese, and crunchy homemade garlic croutons, all tossed in a creamy, flavorful homemade Caesar dressing. Perfect for a healthy yet satisfying lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 500 g boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Croutons
- 3 cups cubed bread (preferably day-old)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Pinch of salt
For the Salad
- 6 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/3 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
- Black pepper, to taste
For the Caesar Dressing
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1–2 tbsp water (to thin dressing)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Season the chicken: In a bowl, coat the chicken breasts evenly with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper to infuse flavor before cooking.
- Cook the chicken: Grill or pan-cook the chicken breasts for 5–7 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F), ensuring juicy and safe-to-eat chicken.
- Rest and slice the chicken: Let the cooked chicken rest for 5 minutes to retain juices, then slice it into thin strips suitable for salad topping.
- Prepare the croutons: Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). In a mixing bowl, toss bread cubes with olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt to coat evenly.
- Bake the croutons: Spread the seasoned bread cubes on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 10–15 minutes, turning once halfway through, until they are golden brown and crisp.
- Make the dressing: Whisk together mayonnaise, grated Parmesan, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, water (to achieve desired consistency), salt, and black pepper until creamy and smooth.
- Assemble the salad: In a large salad bowl, add chopped romaine lettuce and toss with enough dressing to coat all leaves evenly.
- Add toppings: Sprinkle shaved Parmesan cheese, freshly baked croutons, and sliced grilled chicken over the dressed lettuce.
- Season and serve: Finish the salad with freshly ground black pepper to taste and serve immediately for best texture, especially to keep croutons crunchy.
Notes
- Use day-old bread for the crispiest homemade croutons.
- For a lighter dressing, substitute part of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
- Add extra Parmesan cheese if you desire a richer flavor.
- Keep croutons separate when meal prepping to maintain their crunchiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
