Classic Caesar with Chicken (Printable)
A timeless salad of romaine, grilled chicken, croutons, and creamy tangy dressing topped with Parmesan.
# What You'll Need:
→ Grilled Chicken
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 8 oz each)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Salad
07 - 2 large heads romaine lettuce, chopped
08 - 1 cup croutons (store-bought or homemade)
09 - 1/2 cup shaved or grated Parmesan cheese
→ Caesar Dressing
10 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
11 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
12 - 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
13 - 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
14 - 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
15 - 4 anchovy fillets, finely chopped (optional)
16 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
17 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
02 - Rub chicken breasts evenly with olive oil, garlic powder, dried Italian herbs, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Grill chicken breasts for 6 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
04 - Whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, chopped anchovies (if using), and grated Parmesan until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
05 - Combine chopped romaine lettuce, croutons, and Parmesan cheese in a large salad bowl.
06 - Add half of the dressing to the salad and toss gently to coat evenly.
07 - Arrange sliced grilled chicken on top of the salad. Drizzle remaining dressing over, if desired.
08 - Serve immediately garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The dressing comes together in minutes but tastes like you've been tending to it all day.
- Grilled chicken stays juicy when you let it rest, and suddenly you understand why that simple step matters so much.
- It's the kind of salad that works for a quick weeknight dinner or impresses people without requiring you to fuss.
02 -
- Don't skip resting the chicken; it's the difference between moist slices and dry ones, and it takes five minutes.
- Emulsify that dressing by whisking constantly—a quick stir won't create the creamy texture that makes this salad special.
- Use fresh lemon juice, not the bottled version; it tastes brighter and changes the entire flavor profile.
03 -
- Pound your chicken breasts to even thickness before seasoning so they grill uniformly and stay juicy—a meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy pan works perfectly.
- Keep your grill grates clean and well-oiled so the chicken releases easily and gets those beautiful golden marks instead of sticking.