This Chicken Caesar Salad recipe is the perfect meal sized salad with a quick homemade caesar dressing and tender cajun chicken breasts.
Holly’s Recipe Highlights
- Flavor: This recipe has a shortcut dressing that tastes homemade with flavorful seasoned chicken.
- Prep note: This chicken is seared in a skillet, but it can also be grilled.
- Prep tip: If possible, wash the lettuce the day before and place it in a container or bag with some paper towel. This will make it extra crisp.
- Make ahead: The dressing can be prepared up to 3 days in advance.
- Time-Saving Tips:
- Swap the homemade dressing for bottled.
- Use a pre-washed Caesar salad kit.
- Serving suggestions: To stretch the meal a little further, we love to serve it with garlic bread. Leftovers can be wrapped in a tortilla for lunch.
Ingredient Tips For Chicken Caesar Salad
- Chicken: I season the chicken breasts with cajun seasoning, but you can use your favorite spice mixture. If you’re short on time, swap it for rotisserie chicken.
- Lettuce: I use romaine lettuce in this recipe but kale is a great option. Shredded brussels sprouts or coleslaw mix can also be added for a little extra crunch.
- Additions: Add croutons (or homemade croutons) and Parmesan cheese to finish it off.I sometimes slice fresh mushrooms into this salad.
- Dressing: Use your favorite Caesar dressing, I’ve kept it simple with a shortcut dressing. Lots of flavor with little prep.
Other Variations
- Crispy capers (pan fry in a touch of olive oil)
- Bacon or bacon bits
- Grilled shrimp or even jammy eggs (easy to make in the air fryer).
Holly’s Tips
- Chicken can be grilled instead of baked, and seasoned breasts can be placed on a medium heated grill and cooked for 6 to 7 minutes on each side.
- While all of the parts can be made ahead of time, toss the lettuce with the dressing and assemble this chicken Caesar salad right before serving so it stays crisp.
More Caesar Salad Favorites
Did you enjoy this Chicken Caesar Salad? Leave a rating and a comment below!
Chicken Caesar Salad
Chicken Caesar salad is creamy, crunchy, and always the perfect option for a light lunch or dinner.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 2 tablespoons Cajun Seasoning or to taste
- 8 cups romaine lettuce washed, dried
- 1 ½ cups croutons
- ¾ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon anchovy paste
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic minced
Instructions
- Combine all dressing ingredients and set aside.
- Combine the chicken breasts and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a small bowl. Season with cajun spice, making sure to cover all of the chicken.
- Heat up a large pan with remaining olive oil, add the chicken once hot, and cook on each side ensuring that a dark crust is forming, "blackening" the chicken.
- Cook until chicken has reached 165°F internally or place in the oven to finish them.
- Once cooled, cut chicken breasts into slices.
- In a large bowl, cut romaine lettuce into bite size pieces. Add croutons, parmesan cheese, and prepared chicken. Top with dressing and toss.
Notes
Homemade Cajun seasoning has much less salt than store bought. If you purchase seasoning, taste it first and if it’s very salty, use a little bit less than called for in the recipe.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 897 | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 62g | Fat: 64g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 189mg | Sodium: 1314mg | Potassium: 1343mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 11941IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 385mg | Iron: 4mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Chicken, Dinner, Lunch, Salad
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
Delicious!! Would definitely make again. Thank you
Since making this a few months ago it has become one of our favourite meals. We love it!
So happy to hear that, Dolores!
Delicious! I used Best Foods lite mayo which cut the calories significantly but still had great flavor and texture. I added a Tbs of water because it was thicker than I wanted. This is definitely a keeper.
So happy you liked it Kathy, and thanks for leaving a comment!
Can I make the dressing the night before?
That should work well!
Hi
Can I use chicken thighs instead? I don’t like white meat. If so, how long to fry in the pan please?
thanks
It will depend on whether you are using boneless or bone-in chicken thighs. You will want to cook until chicken has reached 165°F. Enjoy Will!
Rally excllent
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe Kareem!
Can I marinate the chicken in the seasoning overnight?
Sure you can!
I would just like to thank you for all the delicious recipes I have gotten from your website!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU
You are very welcome Judi! So happy we can share them with you :)
I forgot to mention, I have made several of your recipes and I’ve never been disappointed.
You’ve made my day!
Delicious! I have loved every single recipe you have – never have to alter the recipient. They are perfect :). Very talented and thanks for teaching me how to cook!
I made this recipe and it was excellent. I added a bit more garlic and cut the chicken into cubes and mixed everything together. Thanks for a great recipe
You’re welcome Karen! I’m so happy that you love the salad!