Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons (Printable Version)
Grilled chicken, crisp romaine, creamy dressing, and golden croutons combine for a classic, satisfying meal.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
→ Croutons
06 - 3 cups day-old baguette or country bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Salad
11 - 2 large heads romaine lettuce, washed and chopped
12 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
13 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste
→ Caesar Dressing
14 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
15 - 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
16 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
17 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
18 - 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
19 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
20 - 2 anchovy fillets, finely chopped
21 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
22 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
# How-To:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F.
02 - Toss bread cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Spread on baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, stirring once, until golden and crisp. Set aside to cool.
03 - Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Grill or pan-sear over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through. Let rest 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, chopped anchovies, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.
05 - In a large salad bowl, toss chopped romaine with half of the Caesar dressing. Add more dressing as desired.
06 - Top salad with sliced chicken, homemade croutons, and grated Parmesan. Finish with freshly ground black pepper and serve immediately.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The homemade croutons get this addictive garlicky crunch that store-bought ones never quite achieve - I sometimes make extra just to snack on while cooking.
- Everything can be prepped ahead except the final tossing, making this perfect for those evenings when you want something impressive without being chained to the kitchen.
02 -
- Never toss the salad until right before serving - I once prepared everything ahead for a dinner party and ended up with soggy lettuce that made me want to cry.
- Room temperature dressing coats the leaves much better than cold dressing straight from the fridge - set it out about 15 minutes before assembly.
03 -
- If youre worried about raw eggs in traditional Caesar dressing, this mayonnaise-based version provides all the richness without the concern.
- Massage your torn romaine leaves with the smallest bit of olive oil before adding dressing - this creates a protective barrier that prevents wilting and helps the dressing distribute more evenly.