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Crispy Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad with Fresh Lemon Dressing

crispy grilled chicken caesar salad - featured image
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A quick and easy salad featuring crispy grilled chicken breasts with skin, fresh lemon Caesar dressing, and crunchy croutons. This fresh twist on a classic Caesar salad is perfect for busy days and casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skin-on chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1 large head Romaine lettuce, washed and chopped
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Homemade or store-bought croutons
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for lighter option)
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons anchovy paste (optional)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle garlic powder, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika evenly on both sides. Let rest for 10 minutes.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, anchovy paste (if using), and Parmesan cheese until smooth. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking to emulsify. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
  3. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Place chicken skin-side down and cook for 5-7 minutes without moving to get crispy skin. Flip and grill the other side for 5-6 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
  4. While chicken grills, chop Romaine lettuce and transfer to a large bowl. Toss with half the dressing to lightly coat.
  5. Add sliced grilled chicken on top of dressed lettuce. Scatter croutons and sprinkle Parmesan cheese generously. Drizzle remaining dressing over the salad.
  6. Gently toss the salad just before serving. Optionally, add freshly cracked black pepper and an extra squeeze of lemon juice on top.

Notes

Pat chicken dry to ensure crispy skin. Do not overcrowd grill to avoid steaming. Let chicken rest after grilling to keep it juicy. Toss lettuce with dressing just before serving to prevent sogginess. Dressing can be made a day ahead for deeper flavor. For gluten-free, use almond flour on chicken and skip croutons or use nuts/seeds. Vegetarian and vegan versions possible by substituting chicken and dairy ingredients.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken, Caesar salad, lemon dressing, quick salad, easy recipe, healthy salad, crispy chicken, fresh lemon, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://atomicbite.com/crispy-grilled-chicken-caesar-salad-recipe-easy-fresh-lemon-dressing/