Description
Succulent chicken meets zesty caesar salad in a Mediterranean-inspired culinary dance of fresh romaine, parmesan shavings, and crisp croutons. Robust flavors and light textures combine, inviting you to savor each refreshing bite of this classic dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
Salad and Herbs:
- 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/4 cup croutons (optional)
Marinade Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Dressing Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Whisk together mayonnaise, garlic, anchovy paste, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce to create a creamy, tangy Caesar dressing base.
- Marinate chicken breasts in olive oil, salt, black pepper, and dried herbs, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated and allowed to absorb flavors for enhanced taste.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, preparing a clean and lightly oiled cooking surface to prevent sticking and achieve beautiful grill marks.
- Grill the marinated chicken for approximately 6-7 minutes per side, rotating once to create crisp external char while maintaining juicy interior texture.
- Rest the grilled chicken for 5 minutes to allow internal juices to redistribute, then slice into thin, diagonal strips.
- Chop romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces, ensuring crisp and fresh texture for the salad base.
- Arrange lettuce on serving plates, strategically placing sliced grilled chicken on top for visual appeal.
- Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese and homemade or store-bought croutons over the salad for added crunch and richness.
- Drizzle prepared Caesar dressing generously, ensuring even coverage across the entire salad.
- Optional: Garnish with extra black pepper, anchovy fillets, or a hard-boiled egg for enhanced protein and flavor complexity.
Notes
- Enhance the salad’s nutritional value by adding a hard-boiled egg for extra protein and richness.
- Easily make this dish celiac-friendly by swapping traditional croutons with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or cornmeal-based croutons.
- Lighten up the Caesar dressing by replacing half the mayonnaise with tangy Greek yogurt, reducing calories while maintaining creamy texture.
- Experiment with different protein options like grilled shrimp or tofu to suit various dietary preferences and keep the meal exciting.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg