Chicken Caesar Salad – Immaculate Bites

Recipe Ingredients

There are four basic ingredients in a Caesar Salad. How easy is that? I do have a serious love affair with food, and couldn’t help but throw in a few extra ingredients. 😉 Here they are!

1. Grilled Chicken – Tender chicken breast marinated in an exquisite marinade, then grilled to perfection.
2. Dressing – The final ingredient on the list of the four essential ingredients. You can buy it already made. However, Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing is super easy to throw together.
3. Croutons – The third of the four essential ingredients that add substance and crunchiness. Homemade croutons are best!
4. Romaine Lettuce – The king of lettuce arrived in Europe from Rome, hence the name Romaine. It’s crisp and sturdy and can be used raw in salads, braised, or grilled.
5. Shaved Parmesan Cheese – An essential of the four basic ingredients that go in this salad. Did I mention umami?

How to Make Chicken Caesar Salad

Grilled Chicken

• Make the Marinade – In a medium bowl, combine the lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Whisk it well to thoroughly combine. (Photos 1)
• Marinate Chicken – Add chicken to the bowl and toss to fully coat the chicken with the marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the chicken marinate in the fridge for at least an hour (even better, 8 hours or overnight). (Photos 2)
• Grill the chicken on your outdoor or stovetop grill for approximately 4-5 minutes per side until the internal temperature reads 165℉/74℃ when checked with an instant-read thermometer. If using thicker pieces of chicken, cooking time will increase. 
• Rest – Transfer grilled chicken to a cutting board, let it rest for about 5 minutes, and slice into small strips (approximately 3 inches). Set it aside while you prepare the remaining ingredients.

The Dressing

• Mix Ingredients – In a medium bowl, whisk together the anchovy, garlic, salt, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Worcestershire, Dijon mustard, olive oil, Parmesan, and pepper; whisk continuously until fully combined. Add sugar, if desired. Taste and adjust to your liking. (Photos 3-4)
• Chill – Set dressing aside in the refrigerator.

The Croutons

• Preheat the oven to 375°F/190°C, and lightly grease a baking sheet with baking spray.
• Cut bread into ¼-inch cubes and place them in a large bowl.
• Add Seasonings – In a small bowl, pour olive oil, melted butter, garlic, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Pour mixture into the bread chunks and toss till it is evenly distributed.
• Toast – Spread bread on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer and bake, occasionally flipping, until golden brown for about 10-15 minutes. Remove and set aside.

Assembly

• Prepare Lettuce – Chop romaine lettuce and place on the serving plate; top with croutons and sliced chicken. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Top your salad with the dressing and serve the remaining dressing on the side.
• Serve – Pour additional dressing over it, then top with the croutons and more cheese, if desired.

Recipe Variations

1. Grilled Shrimp can easily substitute the grilled chicken. Bacon is another one of my favorite foods, and it goes very well with, or instead of, chicken or shrimp.
2. Lettuce Swap– While Romaine is the preferred lettuce in this scrumptious salad, you can use Boston or Bibb lettuce, baby leaf lettuce, or any of your favorite types of lettuce.
3. Cheese Swap – My personal favorite is Pecorino Romano, but you can use Fontina, Asiago, Romano, or any hard cheese for that matter.
4. Dressing – As wonderful as it is, don’t feel you have to limit yourself to Caesar Salad Dressing. This incredible salad goes well with Blue Cheese Dressing, Ranch Dressing, and Poppy Seed Dressing. Have fun! Customize your salad to what you like.
5. Croutons – Store-bought croutons are ok, but homemade croutons make it even better. If you have to eat gluten-free, simply replace them with gluten-free croutons.

Tips and Tricks

1. You can flatten your chicken breasts with a food mallet for faster and more even cooking.
2. Allowing your chicken to marinate overnight will deepen the delicious flavor.
3. Assemble the salad right before serving for nice, crunchy lettuce.

Serving, Make-Ahead, and Storage Instructions

Serving immediately upon finishing up this amazing recipe is the best way to go. Lettuce tends to wilt some time after the dressing has been added.

If you’d like to get all your ingredients together and grill your chicken breasts ahead, you can do it the day before. However, wait to assemble until you’re ready to serve so your lettuce doesn’t get soggy.

You can store leftover Caesar salad in the fridge for up to five days. I personally like to let the salad come back to close to room temperature before eating it.

FAQs

What to Serve With Chicken Caesar Salad

The perfect salad deserves the perfect accompaniment. The chicken converts this wonderful salad into an entree. Soup and salad, or pasta and salad, sounds like a perfect meal to me. How about you?

1. Fettuccini Alfredo and Orzo pasta are two of my favorites. Orzo looks like rice, and the creamy texture in both of these recipes makes them the perfect match.
2. Bolognese Sauce over spaghetti is perfect if a good tomato sauce sounds like what you’re in the mood for.
3. Focaccia – What meal is complete without bread? I didn’t think so. This recipe is absolutely heavenly with a salad, or anything else you want to pair it with.
4. This French Onion Soup is sure to hit the spot when the weather starts to cool off, or it’s cloudy and rainy. Nothing says comfort like a good soup.

More Fantastic Salad Recipes to Try

1. Fattoush Salad
2. Avocado Corn Salad
3. Southern Corn Salad
4. Cobb Salad