Chicken Caesar Salad
A classic Chicken Caesar Salad featuring tender chicken, crisp romaine, and crunchy homemade croutons, all bound together with a creamy dressing.
Ingredients
For the Croutons
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 4 cups ciabatta bread cubes Fresh bread is key for croutons.
For the Chicken
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
For the Dressing
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1.5 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
For the Salad
- 2 heads romaine, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan For salad topping.
Instructions
Prepare Croutons
- Preheat your oven for the croutons.
- In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, chopped parsley, and grated garlic, seasoning it with salt and pepper.
- Spread ciabatta bread cubes across a baking sheet, drizzle olive oil mixture over the top, and toss to coat.
- Bake for 13-15 minutes until crisp and golden.
Marinate Chicken
- In another bowl, mix olive oil with lemon juice, lemon zest, grated garlic, and seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Add chicken, making sure it is well coated in marinade and let sit for at least 2 hours.
Cook Chicken
- Heat your grill and cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
- Remove from grill and let rest before dicing into bite-sized pieces.
Make Dressing
- Whisk together mayonnaise, buttermilk, and grated Parmesan in a bowl.
- Add garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and season to taste.
Assemble Salad
- In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped romaine, diced chicken, and croutons.
- Pour dressing over and toss gently to coat.
- Sprinkle additional grated Parmesan on top before serving.
Notes
For best flavor, marinate chicken for 2 hours. Adjust garlic as per preference. Add croutons right before serving to maintain crispness.