Chicken Caesar with Homemade Croutons (Print)
Juicy grilled chicken and crisp romaine lettuce tossed in creamy Caesar dressing topped with crunchy homemade garlic croutons.
# Ingredient list:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
→ Croutons
06 - 3 cups day-old baguette or rustic bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Salad
11 - 2 large heads romaine lettuce, washed and chopped
12 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
→ Caesar Dressing
13 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
14 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
15 - 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
16 - 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
17 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
18 - 2 anchovy fillets, finely chopped (optional)
19 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
20 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
# Directions:
01 - Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Grill for 6-7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and juices run clear. Let rest 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
02 - Preheat oven to 375°F. In a bowl, toss bread cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 10-12 minutes, tossing halfway, until golden and crisp. Let cool.
03 - In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, anchovy fillets (if using), and Parmesan. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
04 - In a large salad bowl, combine chopped romaine and half the Parmesan cheese. Add desired amount of dressing and toss to coat. Top with sliced chicken, homemade croutons, and remaining Parmesan. Serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The homemade croutons will forever ruin store-bought versions for you—they have this perfect butter-crisp exterior while maintaining a slight chew in the center.
- Making your own Caesar dressing lets you control exactly how punchy, creamy, or garlicky you want it, and Ive caught friends literally spooning the extra straight from the bowl.
02 -
- Always let the chicken rest before slicing, otherwise all those delicious juices will end up on your cutting board instead of in your salad.
- Tossing the croutons while theyre still hot with an extra sprinkle of grated parmesan creates an amazing cheese crust that elevates them from good to mind-blowing.
03 -
- Warm your salad bowl with hot water then dry it thoroughly before adding ingredients—the slight residual warmth helps the flavors bloom the moment dressing hits lettuce.
- Adding a tiny splash of the anchovy oil from the tin into your dressing creates an incredible umami boost that no one will be able to identify but everyone will notice.