Easy Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe
Hey, friend! Let me tell you about my Easy Chicken Caesar Salad. It’s not your average, boring salad. This is the salad that even my picky eaters devour without complaint. It’s got juicy chicken, crispy romaine, and a dressing that’s creamy, tangy, and just plain addictive. Seriously, once you try it, you’ll be hooked. And the best part? It’s so easy, even I can make it after a long day!
My husband, bless his heart, is a meat-and-potatoes kind of guy, but even he asks for this salad on repeat. There was this one time I was feeling super lazy and just threw some rotisserie chicken in there… he didn’t even notice! He just kept saying how good it was. That’s when I knew this recipe was a keeper. Now, my little one can be a real fussy eater, but she LOVES this salad. It’s a win-win situation. It’s become a weekly staple in our house. I swear, if I don’t make it, there’s a small revolt!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe
- It’s faster than ordering takeout (and probably healthier, let’s be honest).
- The dressing is SO good, you’ll want to lick the bowl. (I may or may not have done that…)
- Even picky eaters will gobble it up.
- It’s customizable – throw in whatever veggies you have lurking in the fridge.
- It’s a total crowd-pleaser. Bring it to a potluck and watch it disappear!
How to Make It
Okay, so first things first, you gotta get that chicken cooked. I usually just grill it, but sometimes I’m lazy and use leftover chicken or even a rotisserie chicken from the store. Don’t judge! Then, chop up your romaine lettuce. I like mine kinda chunky, but you do you.
Now for the dressing – this is where the magic happens. Whisk together some mayonnaise (I prefer the avocado oil kind), Dijon mustard, lemon juice (fresh is best, but bottled will do in a pinch), garlic (don’t be shy!), Parmesan cheese (the real stuff, not the powdered kind!), Worcestershire sauce, and a little bit of black pepper. Taste it and adjust as needed. Sometimes I add a splash of hot sauce for a kick.
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Toss the chicken, lettuce, and dressing together. Add some croutons. I love making my own, but store-bought are totally fine too. Give it a good toss, and that’s it! Boom! You’ve got yourself an amazing Chicken Caesar Salad.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken Breast: You can grill it, bake it, poach it, or use leftover chicken. Seriously, whatever works for you. Sometimes I just shred a rotisserie chicken. Don’t tell anyone.
- Romaine Lettuce: Gotta have that crunch! I like to tear mine instead of cutting it. I don’t know why, it just feels right.
- Mayonnaise: I’m a big fan of avocado oil mayo. Adds a lil’ something extra. Don’t use Miracle Whip unless you’re into that kind of thing.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a little zing. Don’t skip it! Yellow mustard just won’t cut it.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh is always better, but bottled is fine in a pinch. Just make sure it’s real lemon juice, not that fake stuff.
- Garlic: Okay, so sometimes I get lazy and use the pre-minced stuff from the jar. It’s not the same, but it works when you’re in a hurry. Fresh is always best though!
- Parmesan Cheese: Get the good stuff! The pre-shredded kind is okay, but freshly grated is so much better.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Don’t skip this! It adds a secret umami flavor that you can’t quite put your finger on.
- Croutons: Store-bought or homemade, you choose! I love making my own with leftover bread.
Recipe Steps:
- Cook Chicken: Grill, bake, or shred leftover chicken.
- Chop Lettuce: Tear or chop romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces.
- Make Dressing: Whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic, Parmesan cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper.
- Combine Ingredients: Toss chicken, lettuce, and dressing.
- Add Croutons: Sprinkle croutons on top.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately!
What to Serve It With
Honestly? This salad is pretty darn filling on its own. But if you’re feeling fancy, you could serve it with some crusty bread for dipping in the extra dressing. Or maybe a side of roasted veggies. Whatever floats your boat!
Tips & Mistakes
- Don’t overdress the salad! Nobody likes a soggy salad. Add the dressing a little at a time until it’s just right.
- If you’re making the salad ahead of time, keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to serve it.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with the dressing! Add a little hot sauce, a different kind of cheese, or whatever you’re in the mood for.
- I once accidentally used sugar instead of salt in the dressing. Don’t do that. It was… interesting.
Storage Tips
Okay, so leftovers are best eaten right away, but if you have to store them, keep the dressing separate. The lettuce will get all wilty if you don’t. I’ve totally eaten this cold for breakfast the next day, and I’m not even ashamed. It’s actually pretty good! Just saying.
Variations and Substitutions
- No chicken? Use shrimp, tofu, or even just skip the protein altogether.
- Don’t have romaine? Use iceberg or mixed greens. It won’t be the same, but it’ll do.
- Out of Parmesan? Asiago or pecorino romano would work too. Or just skip it. I’ve done it.
- I’ve used honey instead of Dijon when I ran out once. It was surprisingly good! Just a little sweeter.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Easy Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast boneless, skinless
- 2 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 1 head Romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 cup croutons garlic flavored
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese shaved
- 0.5 cup Caesar dressing homemade or store-bought
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Brush the chicken breasts with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Grill the chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then slice it into strips.
- In a large bowl, combine chopped lettuce, croutons, and Parmesan cheese.
- Add the sliced chicken and Caesar dressing to the bowl and toss to combine.
Notes
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below. I love to hear from you and always appreciate your feedback!
