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This chicken Caesar salad recipe is a total winner—for lunch or dinner! We’ll show you how to create this classic salad at home, complete with a creamy Caesar dressing, homemade croutons, and juicy pan seared chicken.
Why we love this recipe
Want the best ever chicken Caesar salad? Make it homemade! There’s something about a classic Caesar salad that always appeals to Alex and me, even if it’s basic. Topping it with a protein is one of our top ways to make a satisfying lunch or dinner.
As cookbook authors, we’ve researched and tested to create the very best way to make chicken Caesar salad at home! Strips of seasoned and Parmesan-coated pan seared chicken breast sit atop a salad with homemade creamy, zingy Caesar dressing. Top with the a shower of more Parmesan and the crunch of garlicky homemade croutons and you’ll be amazed! To simplify, you can swap in a few purchased elements into this formula, too.
Ingredients notes for chicken Caesar salad
The best chicken Caesar salad recipe is made with pan seared chicken, homemade dressing, and homemade croutons. However, if you only have time for one or two homemade items, that’s ok! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Chicken breast (or cutlets): Buy boneless skinless chicken breast, organic if at all possible. If the chicken is not sold in cutlets, butterfly the chicken.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and grated Parmesan cheese make up the seasonings for the pan seared chicken. You can substitute regular paprika or omit the Parmesan cheese if desired, though they both add quite a bit of savory nuance to the flavor.
- Croutons: Homemade croutons are best, with bread torn into pieces. This helps it to catch dressing in its nooks and crannies, making an even tastier Caesar salad!
- Romaine hearts: Romaine lettuce is the classic leafy green for Caesar salad: its crunch and sweet flavor are irreplaceable, in our opinion. However, one classic substitution is using kale to make a Kale Caesar Salad.
- Parmesan cheese shreds or shavings: Either Parmesan shreds or shavings work to provide a texture contrast to the other salad ingredients.
- Caesar dressing: You can use purchased or homemade dressing, but this recipe for Caesar dressing recipe really is next-level. You’ll need mayonnaise, Greek yogurt (optional), garlic, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce or anchovy paste, salt, and pepper.
For the Caesar dressing
It’s worth mixing up a batch of homemade Caesar dressing here: the fresh, zingy flavor really does make a salad that tastes so much better than purchased bags. Here are a few tips:
- Our recipe has two version: one with mayonnaise, and a variation with both mayo and Greek yogurt. We usually make this version because it’s a little lighter and has a nice tang to the flavor.
- If desired, you can omit the anchovy paste. It adds that classic Caesar flavor, but it’s not required. Worcestershire sauce works as a substitute, but it still tastes great without it!
- If you don’t have time to make the dressing, substitute your favorite purchased brand.
Tips for this chicken Caesar salad recipe
Here are a few more tips for making this chicken Caesar salad at home:
- Purchase quality chicken. In some commercially raised chickens, the breast muscle becomes harder and denser than normal, resulting in a mushy texture when cooked. Purchase the highest quality chicken breast you can find, organic if possible.
- Cook the chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F when measured with a food thermometer. Avoid overcooking the chicken, which can dry it out.
- Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving. This ensures maximum juiciness.
- Swap in a purchased component or two for ease. You can use purchased dressing, chicken, or croutons, but we suggest making at least one or two of the components homemade for the best flavor.
Step 1: Pan sear the chicken.
Step 2: While the chicken rests, mix up the dressing.
Step 3: Assemble the salad.
Variations: change up the protein
There are so many ways to change up the classic Caesar salad to fit your mood or serve multiple eaters at once! Here are a few ideas:
- Chickpeas: Make Canned Chickpeas or Crispy Chickpeas for Chickpea Caesar Salad.
- Salmon: Use canned, baked salmon, seared salmon, or smoked salmon for Salmon Caesar Salad.
- Shrimp: Add sauteed shrimp to make Shrimp Caesar Salad.
- Grilled Chicken: Top with Grilled Chicken instead.
- Tofu: Top with Baked Tofu or Crispy Tofu.
- Vegan: Make Vegan Caesar Dressing for Vegan Caesar Salad.
- Kale: Make Kale Caesar Salad.
- Wrap: Make a Chicken Caesar Wrap.
Storing leftovers
Leftover chicken stores refrigerated for up to 4 days. Leftover Caesar dressing stores up to 1 week. Store homemade croutons in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Store all components separately, adding dressing immediately before serving.
Dietary notes
This chicken Caesar salad recipe is gluten-free with croutons omitted or gluten-free croutons. The recipe is vegan and dairy-free with Vegan Caesar Dressing.
More easy dinner ideas
Chicken Caesar salad is one of our top easy dinner ideas for busy weeknights. A few more chicken dinners we love: try Parmesan Crusted Chicken, Chicken Nuggets, Chicken Tacos or Baked Chicken Thighs. Or go for a Burrata Sandwich, Fajita Salad or Lentil Sloppy Joes!
Frequently asked questions
Romaine lettuce is traditional, but you can experiment with other types like kale for a variation (try Kale Caesar Salad).
Absolutely! The dressing can be made up to a week in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
Yes, grilling the chicken adds a smoky flavor and is a great option during the summer months. Go to Grilled Chicken.
If you don’t have anchovies or prefer not to use them, Worcestershire sauce can provide a similar savory depth.
Feel free to customize your salad! Popular additions include avocado, cherry tomatoes, hard boiled eggs, or even a sprinkle of bacon bits.
Chicken Caesar Salad
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
This chicken Caesar salad recipe is a total winner—for lunch or dinner! We’ll show you how to create this classic salad at home, complete with a creamy Caesar dressing, homemade croutons, and juicy pan seared chicken.
Ingredients
For the chicken (see Notes)
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 to 1 1/2 pounds, organic if possible), butterflied or cutlets
- 1 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
For the salad
- 2 cups Homemade Croutons (with bread torn into pieces; omit or use GF croutons for gluten-free)
- 3 romaine hearts (or 1 large head romaine)
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese (or a mix of shredded and shaved)
- 1 recipe Caesar Dressing
Instructions
- If making croutons, make Homemade Croutons (or make them in advance).
- Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel, then slice it in half horizontally (if not already butterflied; see How to Butterfly a Chicken Breast). Sprinkle the chicken on both sides with the kosher salt. Add up to ¼ teaspoon additional salt to ensure chicken is fully seasoned.
- In a small bowl, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, grated Parmesan cheese and a few grinds of black pepper. Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with the mixture.
- Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick or cast iron skillet and over medium high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 3 to 5 minutes per side, until browned on both sides (cook in batches as necessary). When the internal temperature is 165°F, or the center is no longer pink, remove to a platter and rest 5 minutes before slicing into strips or pieces.
- Whisk together the Caesar dressing ingredients in a bowl. Store leftovers refrigerated in a covered jar for up to 1 week.
- Tear the romaine leaves into pieces (or chop them). Immediately before serving, toss with the dressing. Top each salad with croutons, Parmesan cheese, and chicken. Leftover chicken stores refrigerated for up to 4 days and leftover dressing stores up to 1 week (add dressing immediately before serving).
Notes
If desired, you can substitute Grilled Chicken, Pan Seared Chicken, or Baked Chicken Breast.
Anchovy paste really does add that classic Caesar to the Caesar dressing, but Worcestershire sauce works too (or a Worcestershire substitute). If all you can find is whole anchovy fillets, blend 2 anchovy fillets to make 1 teaspoon anchovy paste. Keep in mind that anchovy paste has added vinegar and spices and is milder in flavor.
Add different proteins to this salad to make it work for different diets, like Canned Chickpeas, Baked Salmon, or Sauteed Shrimp. For vegan, use Vegan Caesar Dressing.
- Category: Main dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
I might be missing something, but what do you do with the ingredients listed in step 3? Do you put that on the chicken before cooking it?
Sorry for the delay! Yes you should sprinkle it on both sides of the chicken. We’ve updated this typo in the recipe — thank you so much for catching it! Hopefully we caught you before making it.