Okay, so I *love* a good Caesar salad, I really do. But sometimes, you know, lettuce just doesn’t cut it! I want something…more. That’s where this Best Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons comes in! It’s got all that classic Caesar flavor you crave, but it’s actually, like, a real meal. We’re talking juicy chicken, crispy, golden croutons (yes, *homemade!*), and the most amazing dressing.
I remember the first time I had a Caesar salad. I was probably, like, ten, at some fancy-ish restaurant with my parents. I felt so sophisticated ordering it! But honestly? It was kinda boring. Way too much lettuce, not enough *everything else*. That’s why I created this recipe. It’s got everything a Caesar should – and then some!
Why You’ll Love This Best Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons
Seriously, you’re gonna be obsessed! It’s pretty quick to throw together (marinating aside, of course!), it’s packed with flavor, and it actually fills you up! Plus, it’s way healthier than what you’d get at a restaurant. Trust me on this one!
Benefits of Making This Best Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons
Okay, so why is *this* Caesar salad the best? Well, hello homemade croutons! And that marinade? It’s a total game-changer. Plus, the dressing is perfectly balanced – not too heavy, not too light. It’s just right!
Flavorful Marinade for the Best Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons
The lemon and garlic marinade isn’t just there for show, you know? It makes the chicken *so* juicy and tender. And the flavor? Wow!
Crunchy Homemade Croutons for the Best Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons
Store-bought croutons? Nope! These homemade croutons add the *perfect* crunch and flavor to the salad. You won’t believe the difference!
Ingredients for the Best Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons
Alright, let’s talk ingredients! Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this amazing salad. You’ll want 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley leaves, and 1 clove of garlic, grated. For the croutons, grab 4 cups of ciabatta bread cubes. The marinade needs 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice and 2 teaspoons of lemon zest. For the chicken, you’ll need about 1 1/2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. And for the dressing? 1/4 cup each of mayonnaise and buttermilk, 3 tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan, another clove of grated garlic, 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 1/2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard, and 1/2 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce. Don’t forget 2 heads of romaine, roughly chopped, and extra Parmesan for topping!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for the Best Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons
Okay, so a few notes here. I *love* ciabatta for the croutons, but honestly, any crusty bread works. French bread? Sourdough? Go for it! If you don’t have buttermilk, don’t sweat it! Greek yogurt works great, just thin it out with a little milk. And please, please, *please* use freshly grated Parmesan. It makes a HUGE difference. Oh, and if you’re feeling fancy, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinade for a little kick!
How to Prepare the Best Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons: Step-by-Step Instructions
Alright, let’s get cooking! Don’t worry, it’s easier than it looks. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have the best darn Caesar salad you’ve ever tasted! We’re gonna start with the croutons, then move onto the chicken, then the dressing. Finally, we assemble the masterpiece!
Making the Homemade Croutons for the Best Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons
First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. While it’s heating up, toss those ciabatta cubes with olive oil, parsley, grated garlic, salt, and pepper. Spread them out on a baking sheet (don’t overcrowd!), and bake for 13-15 minutes, until they’re golden and crispy. Keep an eye on them, because they can burn fast! Let them cool completely before adding them to the salad.
Marinating and Grilling the Chicken for the Best Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons
Now, for the chicken! Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, grated garlic, salt, and pepper. Pop the chicken breasts into a Ziploc bag (or a bowl) and pour that marinade all over them. Let it sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours. The longer, the better! Then, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken for about 4-5 minutes per side, until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Let it cool a bit before dicing it into bite-sized pieces.
Preparing the Caesar Dressing for the Best Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons
While the chicken’s cooling, let’s make the dressing. In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, buttermilk, freshly grated Parmesan, grated garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Taste it and adjust as needed! More lemon? More Parmesan? You do you!
Assembling the Best Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons
Okay, the moment we’ve all been waiting for! Grab a big bowl and fill it with roughly chopped romaine lettuce. Add the diced chicken and those glorious homemade croutons. Pour the dressing over the top and gently toss everything together until it’s nicely coated. Finally, sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese. And that’s it! Get ready to dig in!
Tips for the Best Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons
Okay, wanna take this salad from “good” to “OMG AMAZING?” Here are a few of my top tips! First, don’t overcrowd that baking sheet when you’re making the croutons. They’ll steam instead of getting crispy! Also, pat the chicken dry with paper towels before you grill it. This helps it get those nice grill marks. And finally? Don’t be afraid to experiment with the dressing! Add a little more garlic, a little more lemon…whatever makes your taste buds sing!
Variations for Your Best Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons
Okay, so you’ve mastered the basic recipe? Awesome! Now let’s get a little crazy! This salad is super versatile, so don’t be afraid to mix things up. How about adding some sliced avocado for extra creaminess? Or some juicy cherry tomatoes for a pop of sweetness? You could even swap out the chicken for grilled shrimp! And if you’re feeling adventurous, try adding a pinch of smoked paprika to the dressing. Trust me, it’s delicious!
Serving Suggestions for the Best Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons
So, you’ve got this amazing salad…what do you serve with it? Honestly, it’s pretty great on its own! But if you want to make it a *real* feast, grab some crusty bread for soaking up all that delicious dressing. Or, how about a light soup? Tomato soup would be amazing! Just sayin’!
Storing and Reheating the Best Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons
Okay, so Caesar salad is definitely best enjoyed fresh. But hey, life happens! If you have leftovers, store the lettuce, chicken, and croutons separately. Tossed together, it’ll get soggy. Ain’t nobody want soggy croutons! The dressing can hang out in the fridge for a few days too. Reheating the chicken? Just a quick zap in the microwave. But honestly, cold chicken Caesar salad is pretty darn good too!
Nutritional Information
Okay, so here’s the deal. I’m no nutritionist, but I’d estimate that one serving of this Best Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons clocks in at around 500 calories. We’re talking roughly 30 grams of fat, 35 grams of protein, and 25 grams of carbs. But hey, it’s homemade, so you know *exactly* what’s going in it!
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons
Got questions? I’ve got (hopefully!) answers! Here are a few things folks often ask about this Best Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons. Don’t be shy – if you’ve got more questions, drop ’em in the comments!
Can I make the croutons ahead of time for this Best Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons?
Absolutely! In fact, I usually do! Just let them cool completely, then store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay nice and crispy for a couple of days…if you can resist snacking on them first, that is!
What is the best way to marinate the chicken for the Best Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons?
I like to marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours, but longer is even better! I usually use a Ziploc bag – it’s easy and it makes sure the chicken is fully coated in that delicious marinade. Just flip the bag occasionally to make sure everything gets evenly flavored!
Can I use a different type of lettuce for this Best Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons?
Romaine is classic for a reason, but hey, it’s your salad! If you’re not a fan, try using some crisp iceberg lettuce, or even some mixed greens for a little more variety. Just make sure whatever you choose is nice and fresh!
Enjoying Your Best Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons
Alright, so you’ve made it! You’ve got this amazing Best Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons sitting in front of you…now what? Well, dig in, of course! And then? Come back here and tell me what you think! Leave a comment, rate the recipe, or even share a pic on social media! I wanna see your creations!
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Devastatingly Delicious BEST CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD
- Prep Time: 2 Hours 20 Minutes
- Cook Time: 10 Minutes
- Total Time: 2 Hours 30 Minutes
- Yield: 4 Servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Carb
Description
Enjoy this classic chicken Caesar salad. It features homemade croutons and a flavorful dressing.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 4 cups ciabatta bread cubes
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 heads romaine, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, parsley and garlic; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Spread bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Stir in olive oil mixture and gently toss to combine. Place into oven and bake until crisp and golden, about 13 to 15 minutes; set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
- In a gallon size Ziploc bag or large bowl, combine chicken and olive oil mixture; marinate for at least 2 hours, turning the bag occasionally. Drain the chicken from the marinade.
- Preheat grill to medium high heat.
- Add chicken to grill, and cook, turning occasionally, until chicken is completely cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 4 to 5 minutes per side. Let cool before dicing into bite size pieces.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, buttermilk, Parmesan, garlic, lemon juice, Dijon and Worcestershire; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- To assemble the salad, place romaine in a large bowl; top with chicken and croutons. Pour the dressing on top of the salad and gently toss to combine. Top with Parmesan.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken enhances its flavor.
- Adjust seasoning to your preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
