Chicken Caesar Salad Homemade Croutons (Printable)
Tender grilled chicken pairs with crisp romaine and crunchy croutons finished with creamy dressing.
# Ingredient List:
→ 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 rustic bread, cut into 1/2-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 fresh lemon juice
17 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
18 - 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
19 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
20 - 2 anchovy fillets, finely chopped (optional)
21 - Salt and pepper, to taste
# Steps:
01 - Set the oven temperature to 375°F.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry, brush evenly with olive oil, and season with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Grill or pan-sear over medium heat for 6-7 minutes on each side until fully cooked. Allow to rest before slicing.
03 - Combine bread cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, turning once halfway through, until golden brown and crisp. Let cool completely.
04 - In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, and anchovies if using. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
05 - Toss chopped romaine lettuce with enough Caesar dressing to coat evenly. Add sliced chicken, croutons, and Parmesan cheese. Gently mix to combine.
06 - Plate the salad immediately and garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper as desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Grilled chicken stays tender and juicy when you let it rest, a small pause that makes all the difference.
- Homemade croutons taste nothing like the store-bought ones, crispy on the outside with a slight chew inside.
- The dressing comes together in under five minutes but tastes like you've been whisking for hours.
02 -
- Don't dress the salad more than 10 minutes before eating or the lettuce will start to wilt and become soggy.
- If your croutons aren't completely cool before you add them, they'll absorb moisture from the dressing and lose their crunch.
03 -
- Pound your chicken to even thickness before cooking so it cooks at the same rate and stays juicy throughout.
- Make the dressing first so the flavors have time to meld while you prepare everything else, making it taste even better.