Description
This Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons is a fresh and flavorful dish combining juicy grilled chicken breasts, crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy homemade garlic croutons, and a zesty Parmesan-infused Caesar dressing. Perfect for a healthy lunch or light dinner, this recipe offers a classic Caesar salad twist with the satisfying char of grilled chicken and freshly baked croutons.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for chicken)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Salad
- 1 head fresh romaine lettuce, chopped
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Croutons
- 3 cups stale bread, cubed
- Olive oil (enough to coat bread cubes)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Dressing
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Olive oil (about 2-3 tbsp)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Parmesan cheese (included in the ½ cup for dressing)
Instructions
- Prepare the lettuce: Wash and chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces, then set aside in a large bowl.
- Grill the chicken: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Grill the chicken for 6 to 8 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Once done, let the chicken rest before slicing.
- Make the croutons: Toss the stale bread cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 15 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, freshly squeezed lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
- Assemble the salad: Add sliced grilled chicken and homemade croutons to the bowl with the chopped romaine lettuce. Drizzle the Caesar dressing over the salad and toss gently until all ingredients are well coated.
- Serve: Plate the salad on chilled dishes, garnish with additional Parmesan cheese if desired, and serve immediately to enjoy the freshest flavors and textures.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh bread for croutons if you have none on hand; just toast it well.
- For extra flavor, marinate chicken breasts in lemon juice and olive oil for 30 minutes before grilling.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best taste and texture in the dressing and as a garnish.
- Ensure the grilled chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature for food safety.
- To make the salad vegetarian, omit the chicken and add grilled tofu or chickpeas instead.
