Name: Chicken Caesar Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup mayonnaise, 115 g; ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese, 30 g, finely grated; 2 tbsp lemon juice; 2 anchovy fillets, finely chopped, or 1 tsp anchovy paste; 1 garlic clove, finely grated; 1 tsp Dijon mustard; 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce; ¼ tsp black pepper; 1–2 tbsp water, to thin; 3 cups day-old crusty bread, about 4 oz (115 g), torn into bite-size pieces; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 garlic clove, finely grated; ¼ tsp fine salt; 1 ½ lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 680 g; 1 tbsp olive oil; ¾ tsp fine salt; ½ tsp black pepper; 2 large heads romaine lettuce, about 1½ lb (680 g), chopped; ½ cup shaved Parmesan, 40 g

Chicken Caesar Salad

Crisp romaine, juicy chicken, crunchy garlic croutons and shaved Parmesan tossed in a creamy, tangy homemade Caesar dressing.

By amine Published October 25, 2026

A good Caesar salad is all about contrast: cold, crunchy lettuce, warm chicken, crisp croutons and a dressing that is rich, garlicky and sharp with lemon and Parmesan. This version uses an easy dressing made with mayonnaise instead of raw egg yolk, so it is safe to keep in the fridge and comes together in a minute.

Why this recipe works

Homemade croutons. Torn bread tossed with garlic oil and baked until golden is far better than store-bought, and uses up day-old bread.
A dressing with backbone. Anchovy, Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce add savory depth. The anchovy melts away; you will not taste fish, only a rounder flavor.
Dry lettuce. Wet leaves dilute the dressing. Spin the romaine well, and chill it if you can.

Is Caesar dressing made with anchovies?

Classic Caesar dressing contains anchovy, either as fillets or through Worcestershire sauce. If you prefer to leave it out, add an extra ½ teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce and a little more Parmesan for depth. Note that most Worcestershire sauce contains anchovies too, so use a vegetarian brand if needed.

Make it a meal

Grill or pan-sear the chicken, or use leftover roast or rotisserie chicken. The salad is also excellent with the lemon-garlic chicken from our chicken souvlaki, or with grilled shrimp.

FAQ

Can I make Caesar salad ahead?

Make the dressing, croutons and chicken up to 2 days ahead and keep them separately. Toss everything together just before serving so the lettuce and croutons stay crisp.

What lettuce is best?

Romaine (cos) is traditional because its sturdy, crunchy leaves hold up to a thick dressing. Little Gem lettuce is a good alternative.