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This classic Caesar salad with chicken comes together easily and quickly! It features a homemade salad dressing, elegant fix-ins, and juicy chicken.
Love protein-packed salads? Try my spinach salad with warm bacon dressing, chicken salad with grapes, chicken avocado salad, and steak salad next.
I’m the kind of guy who needs a hefty dose of protein in my salads for them to be remotely satisfying or considered ‘meal-sized.’ My chicken Caesar salad recipe is always a staple because it hits all the food groups AND includes my famous Caesar dressing!
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- It’s actually filling. Salads get a bad rep for not being filling, but this is is an exception. Loaded with protein, fat, fiber, and carbs, it is a complete meal that’ll keep you full for hours.
- Customizable. You can add your preferred veggies, use different proteins, and adjust the dressing to suit your preferences.
- Make ahead. I like to batch-prep all the components of the salad on the weekend and have healthy lunches or easy dinners sorted for the week ahead.
- Quick to make. The chicken cooks in minutes, the eggs boils in no time, and the dressing is instant!
Ingredients Needed
- Chicken breast. You have tons of options for how to cook the chicken breast for this salad. I typically make air fryer chicken breast (it takes 8 minutes) or cast iron chicken breast (less than 10 minutes), but grilled chicken, oven-baked chicken, or pan-fried chicken all work.
- Croutons. For that crunchy, carby element. Store-bought croutons are fine or easily make your own by toasting up chucks of leftover bread (opt for sourdough or another dense loaf).
- Romaine lettuce. Or any lettuce of choice.
- Eggs. Hard-boiled. You don’t need to wait for them to cool.
- Crispy bacon. Cooked and crumbled into the salad. If I’m keeping things lighter, I like to use air fryer turkey bacon.
- Parmesan cheese. Use freshly grated larger flakes of parmesan cheese. It adds to a rich, creamy texture and boosts the flavor.
- Homemade Caesar dressing. Egg yolk, lemon juice, mustard powder, salt, black pepper, olive oil, water, garlic, and my secret ingredient: Worcestershire sauce! You can also use anchovies if you like.
How to make Caesar salad with chicken
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Make a mayonnaise base. Whisk together the egg yolk, mustard powder, lemon juice, and salt. Add the olive oil and water to thin out.
Step 2- Add flavorings. Add garlic and Worcestershire sauce to the mayo while whisking it.
Step 3- Prep the chicken. Using one of the methods above.
Step 4- Assemble and serve. In a large bowl, toss torn lettuce with half the dressing. Add the dressed lettuce to a serving bowl and top it with chicken and boiled eggs. Sprinkle parmesan flakes, croutons, and bacon all over it and drizzle it with the remaining dressing.
Recipe tips and variations
- Prep the chicken in advance, or use leftover chicken from the night before. I’ve also added shredded rotisserie chicken too.
- Chop all the ingredients into bite-size pieces so everything mixes well and there’s chicken in every bite.
- Use other greens. If you love experimenting, you can always use kale, baby spinach, or other neutral greens to make this salad.
- Use other proteins, like shrimp, tofu, or even salmon.
- Use other cuts of chicken, like chicken thighs or chicken tenders.
- Make it dairy-free. If you and dairy don’t agree, you can substitute parmesan with nutritional yeast.
- Add more veggies, like tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, or broccoli.
Storage instructions
To store: You can store leftover salad dressing in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Unfortunately, you cannot store the combined salad as it’ll cause the lettuce to wilt.
Frequently asked questions
The egg yolk is a key component of the dressing, and provided you use pasteurized eggs, there is no risk of food poisoning. If you still don’t want to use it, add a tablespoon of butter.
I highly recommend making your dressing to adjust it to your taste and health. But if you’re on a time crunch, use the store-bought Caesar salad dressing.
More tasty salad recipes
- Cauliflower potato salad
- Green goddess salad
- Kani salad
- Big Mac salad
- Japanese potato salad
- Jennifer Aniston salad
- Rotisserie chicken salad
Caesar Salad With Chicken
Video
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breast * See notes
- 3/4 cup croutons
- 1 romaine lettuce roughly torn
- 4 hard boiled eggs quartered
- 4 slices bacon cooked and diced
- 3/4 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
Caesar salad dressing
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon water
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Boil the eggs in a pot of boiling water over medium heat for 8 minutes. Once done, add them to a bowl of iced water to cool.
- Prep either my air fryer chicken breast or cast iron chicken breast or use your favorite simple chicken breast recipe. Cook as per instructed, rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
- While the eggs boil and the chicken cooks, make the dressing. Whisk together the egg yolk, lemon juice, mustard powder, and salt. Slowly add the oil, one tablespoon at a time, while continuing to whisk throughout until completely combined. Add the warm water. Whisk in the garlic and Worcestershire sauce until combined.
- Place the lettuce in a mixing bowl and toss through half the dressing. Add it to the serving bowl then add the chicken, boiled eggs, and sprinkle parmesan and bacon over the top. Drizzle with the remaining dressing.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published May 2023, updated and republished May 2024
Turned out really good. The dressing was perfect. I added beats, hearts of palm, and some gluten free toppings. I will definitely be making this again.
Interesting recipe. I really like salads but never tried Ceasar salad.
Always wanted to try Cetar salad!
My favorite salad and I love the chicken options you provide! Thanks, Arman
Thanks, Helena!
LOVE this chicken caesar salad so much- it’s loaded with all the good stuff!
Fully loaded!!