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The Best Chicken Caesar Salad with Homemade Creamy Dressing

A close-up of a delicious caesar salad topped with sliced grilled chicken, croutons, and creamy dressing.
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Make a restaurant-style Caesar Salad at home in under 35 minutes. This recipe features crisp romaine, juicy grilled chicken, crunchy homemade croutons, and a rich, creamy Caesar dressing from scratch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large head romaine lettuce, washed and chopped
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for chicken)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup homemade croutons
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • For the Homemade Caesar Dressing:
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional, for authentic flavor)
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F). Remove, let rest for 5 minutes, then slice or cube.
  2. Make the homemade Caesar dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and anchovy paste (if using).
  3. Slowly drizzle in the 1/2 cup olive oil and 1/4 cup vegetable oil while whisking constantly until the dressing emulsifies and thickens.
  4. Whisk in the 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning. This is the best homemade Caesar dressing you will make.
  5. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce and the sliced or cubed grilled chicken.
  6. Pour about half of the dressing over the salad mixture. Toss gently to coat the lettuce and chicken evenly. Add more dressing as needed for your preferred creaminess.
  7. Add the homemade croutons and the remaining 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Toss lightly one last time.
  8. Serve your restaurant-style Caesar salad immediately for the best crisp texture.

Notes

  • For the best texture, make sure your romaine lettuce is completely dry before tossing with the dressing.
  • If you skip the anchovy paste, the dressing will still be flavorful, but the paste provides the classic savory depth found in restaurant Caesar salad.
  • You can prepare the chicken ahead of time for quick weeknight meals.
  • To make quick croutons, cube day-old bread, toss with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and bake at 375°F until golden brown.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastethisplate.com/best-caesar-salad-recipe-homemade-dressing/