In fact, I have a whole collection of delicious and nutritious salad recipes on my site. I love a good green goddess salad or even a sweet strawberry spinach salad, but this Caesar salad with chicken is still one of my all-time favorites!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best chicken caesar salad ingredients, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Chicken:
There are multiple ways to cook boneless skinless chicken breasts for Caesar salad, but no matter the cooking method, I recommend this combination of ingredients:
Chicken Breast – I used juicy baked chicken breasts for this recipe, but you could also make air fryer chicken breasts or pan seared breasts, or use leftover garlic butter chicken, rotisserie chicken, blackened chicken (for a spicy kick), or pressure cooker shredded chicken for this recipe as well. Olive Oil – Seals in moisture. Do not use extra virgin olive oil or butter — they will burn! You can also use avocado oil, ghee, or coconut oil instead. Spices – Season both sides of the chicken breasts with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and paprika. Sea Salt & Black Pepper
Salad:
For the salad, I used a simple combination of veggies, but feel free to add anything you like to this salad. Here’s what I use:
Romaine Lettuce – Romaine is the classic choice for chicken Caesar salad, but you could also use kale, spinach, arugula, or a mix of greens like spring mix or butter lettuce. Grape Tomatoes – Optional, but add juicy texture and flavor. Diced regular tomatoes or cherry tomatoes would work as well. Shredded Parmesan Cheese – Otherwise Pecorino Romano or Asiago make good substitutes. Croutons – I used gluten-free croutons, but any kind that fit your lifestyle will work. You can also make keto croutons (which are also gluten-free!), or skip the croutons and shredded parmesan and use cheese crisps instead.
Caesar Salad Dressing:
You can use store-bought Caesar dressing, but I love making this salad with my homemade Caesar salad dressing recipe (follow the link to see the amounts for the dressing). This includes:
To add bacon: Cook bacon in the oven, then crumble and add a few tablespoons to your salad. You can also do this with air fryer bacon, stovetop bacon, or microwave bacon. To add eggs: Make hard boiled eggs, slice or dice them, and add to the salad. Or make soft boiled eggs and serve cut in half.
Mayonnaise – This is the base and what makes a creamy Caesar salad dressing. I use my homemade mayonnaise, but you could use regular or even plain Greek yogurt if you prefer. My mayo already had Dijon mustard in it, but if yours doesn’t, you can add a teaspoon to the dressing as well. Olive Oil – Helps to emulsify the Caesar dressing recipe. You could also use extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or any oil you prefer. Lemon Juice – I often use bottled lemon juice for convenience, but you could use fresh lemon juice instead. Anchovy Paste – Essential for a classic homemade Caesar dressing. It won’t taste fishy in the end — promise! Worcestershire Sauce – Adds a umami flavor. Soy sauce, soy sauce substitutes, or coconut aminos would work as alternatives. Garlic – I used fresh garlic for the best flavor, but you could use 3 teaspoons jarred garlic or 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder for convenience. Sea Salt & Black Pepper
How To Make Chicken Caesar Salad
This section shows how to make Caesar salad with chicken, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card. You don’t have to use caesar dressing. In fact, ranch dressing or green goddess dressing would make this salad just as delicious.
Make The Caesar Salad Dressing:
Follow my Caesar dressing recipe:
Combine. Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Adjust salt and pepper. Add to taste as needed.
Cook The Chicken:
Grilled chicken Caesar salad is the most iconic, but I used baked chicken breast, following the steps below. You can also make pan seared chicken breast (use the same ingredients in this recipe instead of the sauce) or grill it.
Brine. Place chicken breasts in a large bowl with enough water to cover them. Add sea salt and stir to mostly dissolve. Brine at room temperature. Prep. Preheat the oven. Remove the chicken from brine and pat dry with paper towels. Place into a large baking dish. Brush both sides with olive oil.
Season. Sprinkle both sides of chicken with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, sea salt, paprika, and black pepper. Cook. Bake chicken breast until firm and no longer pink, and internal temperature reaches 160-165 degrees F with a meat thermometer. Rest. Cover with foil and rest for 5 minutes, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, before slicing against the grain.
Assemble Caesar Salad With Chicken:
Combine. Toss together the romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes, cooked chicken slices, and parmesan cheese. Top. Add croutons of your choice, drizzle dressing on top, then toss again.
Storage Instructions
Store: Transfer any leftover salad to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days without dressing, or up to 1 day if you already added the dressing. Meal prep: You can mix up the Caesar salad dressing, cut the tomatoes, and cook the chicken ahead of time. When you’re ready to eat, simply warm the chicken and toss everything together.
What To Serve With Chicken Caesar Salad
Looking for the perfect side dishes to pair with your salad? Here are some ideas to get you started!
Soup – For a cozy and comforting meal, try serving your salad with a creamy soup like homemade roasted tomato soup, hearty potato soup, zuppa toscana, or even a creamy healthy cauliflower soup. Rice – If you’re looking for something more filling, try serving the salad with a side of white or brown rice, or cauliflower rice or creamy cauliflower risotto for a lighter option. Bread – And don’t forget the bread! Some cauliflower breadsticks, tender almond flour biscuits, or simple bread and butter would all be great options depending on your needs. Easy Mains – If you want to take this salad to the next level, pair it with an Italian meal like stuffed banana peppers, slow cooker chicken cacciatore, my quick shrimp scampi recipe, or cheesy pepperoni pizza casserole. For vegetarian options, skip the chicken in the salad and serve alongside eggplant rollatini or cauliflower steaks.
More Easy Meal Salad Recipes
For a salad that satisfies, try these easy recipes. Each one is stacked with protein and lots of flavorful add-ins! Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email. Nutrition info does not include optional tomatoes. 📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my 30 Dinners In 30 Minutes!
