Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad (Printable Version)
Juicy grilled chicken, crisp romaine, croutons, and creamy dressing unite in this classic Caesar-inspired dish. Ideal for a light meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Grilled Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ For the Salad
06 - 2 large heads romaine lettuce, chopped
07 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
08 - 1/2 cup shaved or grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 1 1/2 cups croutons
→ For the Caesar Dressing
10 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
11 - 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
13 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
14 - 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
15 - 2 anchovy fillets, finely minced (or 1 teaspoon anchovy paste)
16 - 1 garlic clove, finely minced
17 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
18 - 1/4 cup olive oil
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat your grill or grill pan to a medium-high temperature.
02 - Brush the chicken breasts with olive oil. Season both sides evenly with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Grill the seasoned chicken for 6–7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked through and the internal juices run clear. Remove the chicken from the grill, allow it to rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - While the chicken cooks, prepare the Caesar dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced anchovy fillets (or anchovy paste), minced garlic clove, and black pepper. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while continuously whisking until the dressing is smooth and creamy.
05 - In a large salad bowl, gently toss the chopped romaine lettuce with half of the prepared Caesar dressing. Add the halved cherry tomatoes (if using), half of the shaved Parmesan cheese, and croutons. Toss gently to combine.
06 - Arrange the thinly sliced grilled chicken over the assembled salad. Garnish with the remaining Parmesan cheese. Drizzle with additional Caesar dressing as desired, then serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It's surprisingly easy to whip up something truly restaurant-worthy right in your own kitchen.
- The fresh, bright flavors paired with the juicy grilled chicken make it feel both indulgent and light.
02 -
- Don't overcook your chicken dry chicken is the biggest Caesar salad sin. Use an instant-read thermometer if you're unsure.
- Letting the chicken rest after grilling is non-negotiable it redistributes the juices, keeping it tender.
03 -
- For the creamiest dressing, ensure all your ingredients are at room temperature before whisking.
- Mincing anchovy fillets with the back of your knife against the cutting board into a paste works wonders to ensure they fully dissolve.