Chicken Caesar Salad (Print Version)

Crisp romaine, grilled chicken, croutons, and creamy Caesar dressing finished with shaved Parmesan.

# What You Need:

→ Salad Components

01 - 2 large heads romaine lettuce, washed and chopped
02 - 2 grilled chicken breasts (approximately 10 ounces), sliced
03 - 2 cups croutons
04 - 1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese

→ Caesar Dressing

05 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
06 - 1/4 cup sour cream
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
08 - 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
09 - 2 anchovy fillets, finely minced (optional)
10 - 1 garlic clove, finely minced
11 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Grill for 6 to 7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
02 - In medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced anchovies if using, garlic, grated Parmesan, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper until completely smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.
03 - Place chopped romaine lettuce in large salad bowl. Add just enough Caesar dressing to lightly coat leaves. Toss gently until evenly distributed.
04 - Arrange sliced grilled chicken over dressed lettuce. Sprinkle croutons and shaved Parmesan cheese across the top. Serve immediately with additional dressing on the side if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The homemade dressing puts bottled versions to absolute shame, and you can control every ingredient that goes into it
  • Grilling the chicken instead of poaching or pan frying adds those gorgeous char lines and smoky depth that make each bite feel like restaurant quality
  • Everything comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like you spent all afternoon crafting something special
02 -
  • The chicken needs those 5 minutes of resting time or all those delicious juices will end up on your cutting board instead of in your salad
  • Making the dressing ahead of time actually improves it, giving the flavors a chance to meld and develop deeper complexity
  • Never overdress the leaves because they will wilt under the weight of too much creaminess
03 -
  • Dry your romaine completely after washing because water on the leaves prevents the dressing from clinging properly
  • Use a vegetable peeler to create those lovely Parmesan shaves instead of buying pre shaved cheese
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