Chicken Caesar Salad Homemade Croutons (Print Version)
A delightful Chicken Caesar Salad, complete with tender grilled chicken, fresh romaine, creamy dressing, and crunchy homemade croutons.
# Recipe Ingredients:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - ½ teaspoon salt
04 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
05 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
→ Croutons
06 - 3 cups day-old baguette or rustic bread, cut into ½-inch cubes
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
09 - ¼ teaspoon salt
10 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
→ Salad Base
11 - 2 large heads romaine lettuce, washed and chopped
12 - ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
→ Caesar Dressing
13 - ½ cup mayonnaise
14 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
15 - 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
16 - 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
17 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
18 - 2 anchovy fillets, finely chopped (optional)
19 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
20 - Salt, to taste
21 - Black pepper, to taste
# Directions:
01 - Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Grill for 6–7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked with an internal temperature of 165°F. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
02 - Preheat oven to 375°F. In a mixing bowl, toss bread cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Spread them on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 10–12 minutes, tossing halfway through, until golden brown and crisp. Allow to cool completely.
03 - In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, finely chopped anchovy fillets (if using), and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese. Season the dressing to taste with salt and black pepper.
04 - In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce with half of the Parmesan cheese. Add your desired amount of Caesar dressing and toss gently to coat the greens evenly. Top the salad with the sliced chicken, homemade croutons, and the remaining Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately for best texture.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You'll be amazed how quickly something this delicious comes together from scratch.
- The homemade garlic croutons are an absolute revelation; you'll never buy store bought again.
02 -
- Never underestimate the power of drying your lettuce thoroughly; watery lettuce makes for a sad, diluted salad.
- Discovering that the anchovies truly do make the dressing, adding an indescribable depth without tasting fishy, was a game changer for me.
03 -
- Always let your grilled chicken rest for at least five minutes before slicing; this keeps it incredibly juicy.
- Mincing your garlic and anchovies (if using) into an almost paste like consistency ensures they disperse evenly and melt seamlessly into the dressing.