Long live the Caesar Salad! This homemade Caesar Salad Dressing will rival that of any great restaurant. Add chicken to make a meal, top with a poached or fried egg, or serve it straight up the classic way.
I’m going to call it – Caesar salad is a pain to make, calling for an inordinate amount of pots and pans to be dirtied in the name of just one salad.
What Does a Chicken Caesar Salad Contain? An In-Depth Look
For many people, chicken Caesar salad is the most popular and loved salad around. Whether you order it at a restaurant or make it at home, everyone loves it. But what exactly does this famous salad consist of?
The History of Chicken Caesar Salad: Before we get to the ingredients, let’s take a quick look at the history of chicken Caesar salad. Caesar salad was created in Mexico in the 1920s by chef Caesar Cardini, but it did not have chicken in it at that time. Lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, egg, garlic, mustard, and anchovies were used to make the salad.
Chicken wasn’t added to the Caesar salad until later on. Creative chefs started adding grilled chicken breast to the salad over the years as it became more popular. This made it a heartier, more filling main dish salad. This chicken Caesar salad was on almost every menu in the 1970s and 1980s. These days, you can find this salad in restaurants and homes all over the world.
The Core Ingredients
So what makes up a chicken Caesar salad? While there are many variations, here are the key ingredients that define this salad:
Romaine Lettuce—Fresh, crisp romaine lettuce is the base of any good chicken Caesar. It goes well with the rich dressing because it is crunchy and slightly bitter.
Grilled Chicken – Sliced grilled chicken breast provides protein, substance, and savoriness. It’s equally delicious hot off the grill or chilled.
Croutons – Crunchy, garlic-y croutons provide texture contrast and soak up the Caesar dressing.
Parmesan Cheese – Shaved Parmesan adds a delicious umami punch along with saltiness.
Caesar Dressing – The creamy, garlicky dressing is what brings it all together. Traditional Caesar dressing contains ingredients like egg yolk, olive oil, anchovies, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, lemon juice, and Parmesan.
Black Pepper – A sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper right before serving adds warmth.
Those six ingredients form the foundation of a chicken Caesar salad. Everything else is customizable based on your preferences.
Other Common Ingredients
In addition to the core components, chicken Caesar salad often contains a mix of these tasty add-ins:
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Bacon – Chopped bacon provides smokiness and crunch.
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Avocado – Slices or chunks of avocado lend creaminess.
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Tomatoes – Cherry tomatoes offer bursts of juicy sweetness.
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Red Onion – Thinly sliced red onion gives a pleasant sharpness.
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Hard Boiled Egg – Wedges of hard boiled egg add extra protein.
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Crumbled Blue Cheese – Blue cheese crumbles contribute tang.
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Lemon Wedges – Extra lemon wedges provide brightness.
Feel free to pick and choose your favorite extras to create your ideal chicken Caesar. The possibilities are endless!
Special Diet Considerations
One of the great things about chicken Caesar salad is how customizable it is to different diets. Here are some tips:
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Gluten-Free – Use gluten-free bread or croutons.
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Dairy-Free – Omit the Parmesan and use dairy-free Caesar dressing.
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Keto/Low-Carb – Skip the croutons and load up on chicken, bacon, avocado, and other keto-friendly toppings.
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Vegetarian/Vegan – Substitute the chicken with marinated tofu, chickpeas, or lentils. Use vegan Parmesan and egg-free Caesar dressing.
With a few simple swaps, you can enjoy chicken Caesar salad no matter your dietary needs.
Making Restaurant-Worthy Chicken Caesar at Home
Want your homemade chicken Caesar salad to taste as amazing as the restaurant version? Here are some tips:
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Use the freshest, crispest romaine lettuce you can find. Rinse, spin dry, and chill it before using.
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Grill or pan-sear chicken breasts until nicely charred on the outside and juicy inside. Let rest before slicing.
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Make croutons from scratch for maximum crunch and flavor.
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Shave Parmesan cheese fresh rather than using pre-shredded.
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Whisk together your own Caesar dressing with quality ingredients. Homemade is far tastier than bottled.
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Assemble the salad gently and don’t overdress it. Start with just a drizzle of dressing first.
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Finish with freshly cracked black pepper and a squeeze of lemon right before serving.
Follow those tips and your chicken Caesar salad will be crave-worthy and restaurant-caliber.
How to Store Leftovers Properly
Got leftovers after making a big batch of chicken Caesar salad? Proper storage is key for maintaining freshness and texture. Here are some storage tips:
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Keep dressing separate from other ingredients to prevent sogginess.
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Store lettuce dry in a sealed container with paper towels to absorb moisture.
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Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and consume within 2 days.
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Mason jars work great for layering ingredients without mixing them.
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Dressing keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days – give it a shake before using.
Storing the components separately will help your salad stay crisp and delicious for future meals.
Chicken Caesar Salad Tips and Tricks
After making this salad time and time again, here are some of my top tips:
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Use both light and dark green inner romaine leaves for visual appeal.
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Add chicken to the salad while still warm – it will lightly wilt the lettuce.
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Infuse croutons with Italian herbs and garlic for extra flavor.
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Mix anchovies into the dressing rather than using whole fillets.
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Drizzle with lemon-infused olive oil for a brightness boost.
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Sprinkle with lemon zest instead of extra lemon juice to prevent sogginess.
Take your chicken Caesar salad to the next level with these pro tips!
How to make Caesar Salad
And here’s how to make it. (I already forewarned you – LOTS of washing up. TOTALLY worth it!)
Homemade Caesar salad dressing recipe
If you’ve never tried homemade Caesar Salad Dressing before, you’re in for a real treat. It is absolutely sensational, and not even the poshest gourmet store can compare to a fresh homemade one.
The secret ingredient is anchovy. I know some people might scrunch up their faces at the thought of anchovy in a dressing, but seriously! It is the secret ingredient that will turn a “pretty good” dressing into a restaurant quality one!.
Oh and PS. If you’ve had and loved Caesar Salad when eating out, you ate anchovies. So stop the nose scrunching!! .
What does a chicken Caesar salad contain
FAQ
What all goes in a chicken caesar salad?
Key Ingredients in Chicken Caesar SaladBread. Making Caesar salad definitely calls for homemade croutons, and sourdough bread or ciabatta are both great options. Oil-packed anchovies. You’ll use the entirety of a two-ounce tin. Boneless, skinless chicken breast. Lemons. Parmesan cheese. Olive oil. Romaine lettuce.
What is a chicken caesar salad made of?
A classic recipe for a reason, this chicken Caesar salad is delicious and satisfying. Crunchy romaine, creamy dressing, tender chicken, and savory cheese come together for a tasty favorite. Serve a lemon wedge with each salad if desired.
What does Caesar salad usually have in it?
A Caesar salad (also spelled Cesar, César and Cesare), also known as Caesar’s salad, is a green salad of romaine lettuce and croutons dressed with lemon juice (or lime juice), olive oil, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, anchovies, garlic, Dijon mustard, Parmesan and black pepper.
Is a chicken caesar salad actually healthy?
Grilled chicken and salad are healthy. Caesar dressing is not. Quite the opposite. Very full of fat and salt. Choose a different dressing if you can. Or if you must have caesar, use as little as possible, and buy a low-fat brand.
What is chicken caesar salad?
Chicken Caesar Salad is a tasty and satisfying twist on the classic Caesar salad. This variation includes grilled or poached chicken, making it a more substantial and nutritious meal. This dish is tasty and filling because it has fresh romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, and creamy Caesar dressing.
What is Caesar salad made out of?
His original recipe included romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, croutons, and a dressing made from egg yolks, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce. Over time, grilled chicken was added to transform the Caesar salad into a heartier meal.
Is chicken caesar salad healthy?
Chicken Caesar salad can be a healthy meal, especially when made with a lighter dressing and using grilled chicken. However, the traditional dressing can be high in calories and fats due to the olive oil and egg yolks. Substituting Greek yogurt and using avocado instead of heavy ingredients like bacon can make it more diet-friendly.
Is chicken caesar salad high in protein?
Grilled chicken in this classic salad completes this high-protein, nutritious meal. Chicken Caesar salad is a classic salad with romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, croutons and cooked chicken. High protein content is one main benefit of chicken Caesar salad nutrition.
How do you make a good chicken caesar salad?
These are the things you must have to make the best chicken Caesar salad: Romaine lettuce: makes a crisp, refreshing base Romaine is the traditional green used in Caesar salads. Grilled Chicken: Chicken breast is the protein of choice for this salad. It’s lightly seasoned and grilled to perfection for a smoky flavor.
How many calories are in chicken caesar salad?
The addition of grilled chicken and avocado makes the salad a nutritious and balanced meal. Let’s look at what it contains: Calories: A typical serving of chicken Caesar salad has between 500 and 650 calories, depending on how much dressing and croutons are used. Protein: With the grilled chicken, the salad provides 30–40 grams of protein.