Imagine sinking your fork into a crisp, flavor-packed salad that looks like it came straight from a gourmet restaurant, but can be whipped up faster than ordering takeout. Our Easy Chicken Caesar Salad is the ultimate quick meal solution that combines restaurant-style elegance with home-kitchen simplicity. Whether you're a busy professional, a health-conscious foodie, or just someone who loves a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen, this recipe is about to become your new favorite go-to dish!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Salad
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, sliced
- 1/4 cup Caesar dressing
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup croutons
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 2 cups of chopped romaine lettuce, 1 cup of sliced cooked chicken breast, 1/4 cup of Caesar dressing, 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup of croutons, and black pepper to taste.
- Wash the romaine lettuce thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris. Shake off excess water or use a salad spinner to dry the leaves. Once dry, chop the lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place it in a large salad bowl.
- If you haven't already, cook the chicken breast. You can grill, bake, or pan-sear it for about 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Once cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it into strips.
- In the large salad bowl with the chopped romaine lettuce, add the sliced cooked chicken breast on top.
- Drizzle the Caesar dressing evenly over the salad. Use a spatula or tongs to gently toss the salad, ensuring that the dressing coats all the ingredients evenly.
- Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the salad, followed by the croutons. Toss the salad again lightly to combine these ingredients without crushing the croutons.
- Finally, season the salad with black pepper to taste. Give it one last gentle toss to incorporate the seasoning.
- Serve the Easy Chicken Caesar Salad immediately on individual plates or in bowls. Enjoy your fresh and delicious salad!
Tips
- Chicken Cooking Hack: For extra flavor, season your chicken breast with garlic powder, salt, and dried herbs before cooking. This adds depth to the overall salad taste.
- Dressing Pro Tip: If possible, use a high-quality Caesar dressing or even make your own from scratch for a more authentic flavor profile.
- Crouton Trick: To keep croutons crispy, add them just before serving to prevent them from getting soggy.
- Meal Prep Shortcut: Cook extra chicken during your weekly meal prep to have it ready for quick salads like this.
- Temperature Matters: Serve the salad slightly chilled for the most refreshing experience. Keep ingredients cold until just before assembling.
- Customization Option: Feel free to add extra protein like grilled shrimp or swap chicken for a vegetarian alternative like grilled tofu.
- Storage Tip: If you have leftovers, store the dressing separately to keep the lettuce crisp and prevent wilting.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 199kcal
Carbohydrates: 7g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 51mg
