Best Chicken Caesar Salad (Printer-Friendly)
Tender grilled chicken, crisp romaine, homemade croutons, and creamy tangy Caesar dressing in every bite.
# List of Ingredients:
→ Chicken
01 -
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound total)
02 -
2 tablespoons olive oil
03 -
1 teaspoon kosher salt
04 -
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
05 -
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
→ Croutons
06 -
3 cups sourdough bread, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
07 -
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
08 -
2 cloves garlic, minced
09 -
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
→ Caesar Dressing
10 -
1/3 cup mayonnaise
11 -
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
12 -
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
13 -
2 teaspoons anchovy paste
14 -
1 clove garlic, minced
15 -
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
16 -
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
17 -
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Salad
18 -
2 large heads romaine lettuce, washed and chopped (about 10 cups)
19 -
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, shaved
20 -
1/3 cup candied pecans or roasted cashews
21 -
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# Preparation Steps:
01 -
Slice chicken breasts horizontally into thin cutlets. Pat dry and season evenly with olive oil, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Grill over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest 5 minutes, then slice across the grain into strips.
02 -
Preheat oven to 400°F. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Toss sourdough cubes with the garlic butter and kosher salt. Spread on a baking sheet and bake, turning once, until golden and crisp, 10–14 minutes. Cool completely.
03 -
In a bowl, whisk mayonnaise, Parmesan, Dijon, anchovy paste, minced garlic, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
04 -
In a large bowl, toss romaine lettuce with just enough dressing to coat. Layer chicken slices, garlic croutons, shaved Parmesan, and nuts over the lettuce. Finish with extra black pepper and more dressing if desired. Serve immediately.
# Additional Suggestions:
01 -
Prepare components up to 3 days in advance; store dressing in a sealed jar, chicken in an airtight container, and croutons at room temperature.
02 -
To keep croutons extra crunchy, bake until golden and cool completely before adding to the salad.
03 -
Massage a small amount of dressing into the romaine before adding toppings for even flavor.
04 -
Swap in grilled shrimp or salmon for chicken, or chickpeas for a vegetarian option.