Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad
This traditional Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken is a perfect blend of crisp romaine lettuce, tender barbequed hen, crunchy croutons, and an abundant, luscious Caesar clothing. It's a gratifying and healthy meal that's easy to prepare and certain to thrill.
Equipment
- Grill or grill pan
- Salad bowl
- Tongs
- Knife and cutting board
- Grater for cheese
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- For the Caesar Dressing:
- ½ cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt for a lighter option
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 anchovy fillets or 1 tsp anchovy paste
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- For the Salad:
- 1 large head of romaine lettuce chopped
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese shaved
- 1 cup croutons store-bought or homemade
- Extra black pepper and lemon wedges for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Marinate and Grill the Chicken
- In a bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Coat the chicken breasts evenly and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for deeper flavor).
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill the chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Remove from the grill, let it rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
- Step 2: Prepare the Caesar Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, minced garlic, anchovies, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and Parmesan cheese.
- Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking to emulsify the dressing.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Step 3: Assemble the Salad
- Place chopped romaine lettuce in a large bowl.
- Add croutons and Parmesan cheese.
- Drizzle with Caesar dressing and toss to coat evenly.
- Top with sliced grilled chicken.
- Garnish with extra black pepper and lemon wedges for added freshness.
- Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
- Serve immediately and enjoy with a side of garlic bread or pair it with a chicken Caesar wrap or chicken Caesar pasta salad for variation.
Notes
For a crispy chicken Caesar salad: Use panko-crusted baked chicken instead of grilled chicken.
For a healthier version: Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise in the dressing and skip the croutons.
To make it a wrap: Wrap the salad in a large tortilla for a delicious chicken Caesar wrap.
For a pasta salad version: Mix with cooked pasta for a chicken Caesar pasta salad twist.
Want more protein? Add grilled shrimp or hard-boiled eggs.
For a healthier version: Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise in the dressing and skip the croutons.
To make it a wrap: Wrap the salad in a large tortilla for a delicious chicken Caesar wrap.
For a pasta salad version: Mix with cooked pasta for a chicken Caesar pasta salad twist.
Want more protein? Add grilled shrimp or hard-boiled eggs.