Caesar salad with chicken

Caesar salad with chicken is a classic and hearty dish that combines the crispness of romaine lettuce with the savory flavors of Caesar dressing and grilled chicken. Here’s a recipe to make a delicious Caesar salad with chicken:

Caesar Salad with Chicken

Ingredients:

For the Salad:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 large head of romaine lettuce, chopped or torn into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup Caesar dressing (store-bought or homemade, recipe below)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup croutons (store-bought or homemade, recipe below)
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges (optional, for garnish)

For the Homemade Caesar Dressing (optional):

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (or 2-3 anchovy fillets, minced, optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste

For Homemade Croutons (optional):

• 2 cups cubed bread (such as Italian or sourdough)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs or dried oregano
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the Chicken:

   • Preheat a grill or a grill pan over medium-high heat.
   • Brush the chicken breasts with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper.
   • Grill the chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
   • Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing it into strips or bite-sized pieces.

2. Make the Dressing (if homemade):

   • In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, and anchovy paste (if using).
   • Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Adjust the flavors as needed.

3. Make the Croutons (if homemade):

   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Toss the cubed bread with olive oil, garlic powder, dried Italian herbs, and salt.
   • Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet.
   • Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the croutons are golden brown and crispy, tossing once halfway through.

4. Assemble the Salad:

   • In a large salad bowl, toss the chopped romaine lettuce with the Caesar dressing until well coated.
   • Top with the grilled chicken, grated Parmesan cheese, and croutons.
   • Garnish with lemon wedges if desired.

5. Serve:

   • Serve the Caesar salad immediately, or keep the dressing, chicken, and croutons separate until ready to serve to maintain crispness.

This Caesar salad with chicken is a satisfying meal that’s perfect for lunch or dinner. You can customize it by adding other ingredients like cherry tomatoes, avocado, or red onion if you like. Enjoy!