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quick and easy chicken caesar salad with croutons recipe
Mary Kelly

Quick And Easy Chicken Caesar Salad With Croutons

When it comes to salads, few can beat the classic Chicken Caesar. You might be thinking, “Isn't that just a boring old salad?” Allow me to convince you otherwise.
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Prep Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 596
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups cubed ciabatta bread
  • 3 tablespoons high-quality olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
  • 1 clove garlic finely grated
  • Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • For the Chicken:
  • 1 ½ pounds skinless boneless chicken breasts
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • 1 clove garlic finely grated
  • Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • For the Dressing:
  • 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup creamy mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup tangy buttermilk
  • 1 clove garlic finely grated
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • For the Salad:
  • 2 heads of fresh romaine lettuce coarsely chopped
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • A handful of fresh basil leaves roughly torn

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Baking sheet
  • Large bowl

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a bowl, toss the cubed ciabatta bread with olive oil, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Spread the mixture evenly on a baking sheet.
  3. Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Turn them halfway to achieve even crisping.
  4. While the croutons are baking, season the chicken breasts with olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  5. Preheat a grill or skillet on medium-high heat.
  6. Cook the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side or until fully cooked through.
  7. Once done, allow to rest for a few minutes before slicing it into strips.
  8. In a bowl, whisk together the Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, buttermilk, garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and thyme leave. Adjust seasoning to taste. This dressing can be made a day in advance for marinated flavors.
  9. In a large bowl, combine the romaine lettuce, sliced chicken, croutons, and dressing. Toss everything together until the lettuce is well-coated.
  10. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and torn basil leaves.

Nutrition

Calories: 596kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 51gFat: 27.9gSaturated Fat: 12.3gCholesterol: 133mgSodium: 653mgFiber: 9gSugar: 9g

Notes

  • Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh romaine, homemade croutons, and freshly grated cheese will elevate your salad.
  • Marinate the Chicken: Let the chicken marinate in the seasoning for at least 30 minutes for deeper flavors.
  • Experiment with Proteins: Feel free to swap chicken for shrimp, steak, or even chickpeas for a vegetarian option.
  • Quality Dressing Makes a Difference: If you're short on time, premium store-bought Caesar dressing can be an excellent backup.
  • Make Extra Croutons: They store well and can add crunch to other salads or soups.

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