Best Chicken Caesar Salad (Printable Version)
Tender grilled chicken over crisp romaine with rich Caesar dressing and Parmesan
# Ingredient List:
→ For the Chicken
01 - 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp garlic powder
04 - 1/2 tsp salt
05 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ For the Salad
06 - 2 large heads romaine lettuce washed and chopped
07 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved (optional)
08 - 1 cup croutons
09 - 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
→ For the Caesar Dressing
10 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
11 - 2 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
13 - 2 tsp Dijon mustard
14 - 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
15 - 1 garlic clove minced
16 - 2 anchovy fillets finely minced (or 1 tsp anchovy paste)
17 - Salt and black pepper to taste
# How to Make:
01 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry. Rub with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
03 - Grill chicken for 6–7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove from heat, rest for 5 minutes, and slice thinly.
04 - In a medium bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
05 - In a large salad bowl, combine chopped romaine, cherry tomatoes (if using), and croutons. Toss lightly with half the dressing.
06 - Top salad with sliced grilled chicken and shaved Parmesan. Drizzle with remaining dressing.
07 - Serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The homemade dressing comes together in minutes and tastes infinitely better than store-bought
- Grilled chicken adds a smoky depth that transforms this from side dish to satisfying meal
02 -
- Letting the chicken rest before slicing is crucial—cut too soon and all those juices end up on your cutting board
- The dressing tastes even better after an hour in the fridge, so make it ahead if you can
03 -
- Grill extra chicken and keep it in the fridge for quick lunches throughout the week
- The anchovies dissolve completely, so don't let skeptics shy away from trying it