Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons (Printable)
Grilled chicken, crisp romaine, creamy dressing, and golden croutons combine for a classic satisfying salad.
# 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 lemon juice
18 - 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
19 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
20 - 2 anchovy fillets, finely chopped, optional
21 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
22 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F.
02 - Toss bread cubes with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, stirring once, until golden and crisp. Set aside to cool.
03 - While croutons bake, rub chicken breasts with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon 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, 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, optional anchovy fillets, 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 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Finish with freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The contrast between warm, juicy chicken and cool, crisp romaine creates this incredible temperature play that commercial salads never quite achieve.
- Making your own croutons transforms forgotten bread into golden flavor bombs that store-bought versions cant touch.
02 -
- Anchovies might sound scary, but they completely dissolve and create that distinctive Caesar flavor without tasting fishy.
- Tossing romaine with just half the dressing first lets you control the coating without ending up with a soggy salad bowl.
03 -
- Massage your hands with lemon juice after handling garlic to neutralize the smell that otherwise lingers for days.
- The perfect Caesar crouton should have a shattering exterior but maintain a slight tenderness inside, so watch them carefully in the oven.