Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad!

🥗 Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe

🍗 Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp paprika (optional)

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Juice of ½ lemon

For the Salad:

• 1 large romaine lettuce, chopped

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 cup croutons (store-bought or homemade)

For the Caesar Dressing:

• ½ cup mayonnaise

• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard

• 2 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 4 anchovy fillets (optional but authentic) or 1 tsp anchovy paste

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• Salt and black pepper to taste

🔥 Instructions

Step 1: Marinate and Grill the Chicken

1. In a bowl, mix olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

2. Coat chicken breasts with marinade and let sit for 15–30 minutes.

3. Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.

4. Grill chicken for 5–6 minutes per side (until internal temperature reaches 165°F / 74°C).

5. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.

Step 2: Make the Dressing

1. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, anchovies (if using), and Parmesan.

2. Add salt and pepper to taste.

3. If too thick, thin it out with 1–2 tsp of water or milk.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

1. In a large salad bowl, toss chopped romaine lettuce with a few tablespoons of dressing.

2. Add croutons and grated Parmesan. Toss again.

3. Top with grilled chicken slices.

4. Drizzle extra dressing over top if desired.

Step 4: Serve

Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and black pepper.

🧠 Q&A Section

Q1: Can I use store-bought Caesar dressing?
👉 Yes! While homemade tastes fresher, a high-quality store-bought Caesar dressing works fine for convenience.

Q2: What if I don’t have a grill?
👉 You can cook the chicken in a skillet or bake it in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes.

Q3: Are anchovies necessary?
👉 They’re traditional and add depth (umami flavor), but you can skip them or use Worcestershire sauce for a similar taste.

Q4: Can I make this salad ahead of time?
👉 You can prep the dressing and chicken in advance, but assemble the salad just before serving to keep it crisp.

Q5: What’s a good substitute for croutons?
👉 Try roasted chickpeas, toasted nuts, or whole-grain pita chips for a crunchy alternative.

Q6: How do I make it healthier?
👉 Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise in the dressing, and grill the chicken without oil spray or butter.

Q7: Can I make this vegetarian?
👉 Yes—skip the chicken and anchovies. Use grilled tofu, tempeh, or chickpeas for protein.