Best Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons
Indulge in the Best Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons, a delightful combination of grilled chicken, crisp romaine, and freshly baked croutons, all drizzled with a creamy homemade dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or a satisfying dinner, this salad is not only easy to prepare but also impressively flavorful. The addition of homemade croutons elevates this classic dish, giving you that perfect crunch in every bite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Salad
- Method: Baking, Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 cups ciabatta bread cubes
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (for croutons)
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (for dressing)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 heads romaine lettuce (roughly chopped)
- Fresh lemon juice and zest
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, toss ciabatta cubes with olive oil, parsley, grated garlic, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes until golden brown.
- Season chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grill over medium heat for 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through. Let rest before slicing.
- In another bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, buttermilk, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, grated garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- In a large serving bowl, combine chopped romaine with sliced chicken. Drizzle with dressing and toss gently. Top with homemade croutons and additional Parmesan before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 90mg