Chicken Caesar Salad

[The Croutons Crunch Remix]

Classic Caesar salad with grilled chicken that delivers restaurant-quality flavor at home. This is elegant simplicity that makes salad feel like a feast.

Ingredients

For Salad:
2 large heads romaine lettuce (600g), chopped
2 grilled chicken breasts (400g), sliced
1/2 cup (50g) parmesan cheese, shaved
1 cup (120g) cassava flour croutons (homemade or store-bought)

For Caesar Dressing:
1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp (30ml) fresh lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 anchovy fillets, minced (or 1 tsp anchovy paste)
1 tbsp (15ml) Dijon mustard
1 tsp (5ml) coconut aminos
1/2 cup (50g) parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 tsp (1g) black pepper

Steps

Mix:

In small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, anchovies, Dijon mustard, coconut aminos, grated parmesan, and black pepper until smooth and emulsified.

Rest:

Let dressing sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld and develop depth.

Prep:

Wash and dry romaine lettuce thoroughly, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Place in large salad bowl and chill until ready to serve.

Dress:

Add half the dressing to chilled romaine and toss thoroughly to coat each leaf. The lettuce should be well-dressed but not drowning.

Top:

Arrange sliced grilled chicken over dressed lettuce, then sprinkle with shaved parmesan and scatter croutons evenly throughout.

Finish:

Drizzle with remaining dressing and serve immediately with extra shaved parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper on the side.

Serve:

Present with additional lemon wedges and allow guests to customize with extra parmesan and pepper to their preference.

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Make it Good For The Gut (Optional)

Use aged parmesan (24+ months) for natural probiotics and easier digestion. Add fermented anchovy paste for additional beneficial bacteria. Include 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar with the mother in the dressing for digestive enzymes. Mix in massaged kale (1 cup) with the romaine for extra nutrients and prebiotic fiber.

Remix Options

Protein Alternatives: Use grilled shrimp, salmon, or tofu for different flavor profiles and dietary needs. Vegetable Additions: Add roasted vegetables like bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or avocado for extra nutrition and color. Crouton Variations: Try sourdough, pumpernickel, or herb-seasoned croutons for different textures and flavors. Greens Mix: Combine romaine with baby spinach, arugula, or butter lettuce for varied textures. Anchovy-Free Version: Replace anchovies with 1 tablespoon capers for briny flavor without fish. Vegan Option: Use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan and skip anchovies for plant-based version.

Good To Know

Romaine Selection: Choose hearts of romaine for the crispest, sweetest leaves – outer leaves can be bitter and tough. Dressing Balance: Fresh lemon juice and real parmesan create authentic Caesar flavor while coconut aminos replace Worcestershire sauce for cleaner ingredients. Anchovy Importance: Don’t skip the anchovies – they provide the essential umami depth that makes Caesar dressing distinctive. Chicken Preparation: Grill chicken with simple salt, pepper, and herbs to complement rather than compete with the Caesar flavors. Assembly Timing: Dress the salad just before serving to prevent wilting, but let dressing sit 15 minutes beforehand for flavors to meld. Crouton Freshness: Use day-old bread for best crouton texture, or lightly toast fresh bread before cubing. Cheese Quality: Freshly shaved parmesan makes a significant difference – avoid pre-grated cheese for best flavor and texture.