Description
Keto chicken caesar salad delivers classic flavors without excess carbohydrates. Crisp romaine, grilled chicken, and creamy dressing create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 x 8 oz (450 g) cooked chicken breasts
- 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 2 cups (300 g) grape tomatoes, halved (optional)
- ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) Caesar salad dressing
- ¾ cup (75 g) shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (30 g) croutons (use gluten-free or low-carb if preferred)
Instructions
- Dressing Preparation: Whisk Caesar dressing ingredients until silky smooth, creating a rich, creamy sauce. Store excess in a refrigerated sealed container for future use.
- Chicken Seasoning and Cooking: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then select preferred cooking method – oven-roasting at 375°F (190°C), grilling, or pan-searing. Cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for optimal safety and flavor.
- Chicken Resting and Slicing: Allow cooked chicken to rest 5-7 minutes, enabling juice redistribution. Slice against the grain into thin, uniform strips, ensuring tender, easily consumable pieces.
- Salad Assembly: Thoroughly wash and chop romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces, carefully patting dry with paper towels to prevent moisture accumulation. In a large mixing bowl, combine lettuce, sliced chicken, halved grape tomatoes, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Final Touches and Serving: Sprinkle crisp croutons over the salad just before serving. Drizzle reserved Caesar dressing evenly, gently tossing to coat ingredients thoroughly. Serve immediately to maintain optimal temperature and textural integrity.
Notes
- Dressing Prep Tip: Whisk Caesar dressing ingredients thoroughly to achieve a silky, smooth texture that coats ingredients perfectly.
- Chicken Cooking Hack: Always use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches safe 165°F internal temperature, preventing undercooking and ensuring juicy meat.
- Lettuce Freshness Trick: Completely dry romaine after washing to prevent soggy salad and maintain crisp, refreshing texture throughout serving.
- Crouton Timing Strategy: Add crispy croutons just before serving to preserve their crunch and prevent them from becoming soft or mushy in the salad.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg