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Fresh Grilled Caesar Chicken Chopped Salad

fresh grilled caesar chicken chopped salad - featured image
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A fresh, smoky, and tangy grilled chicken chopped salad with homemade Caesar dressing, perfect for a quick and satisfying summer meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound/450g), pounded to even thickness
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 large head of romaine lettuce, washed and finely chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
  • ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup homemade or store-bought croutons
  • ½ cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a tangier twist)
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
  • ¼ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Rub this mixture all over the chicken breasts. Let them marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes.
  2. Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat until hot.
  3. Grill the chicken breasts for about 5-6 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Avoid flipping too often.
  4. Transfer chicken to a plate and let it rest for 5 minutes. Then chop into bite-size pieces.
  5. In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  6. Chop the romaine finely and place in a large bowl. Add halved cherry tomatoes, shredded Parmesan, and croutons.
  7. Pour the dressing over the salad base and mix well to coat evenly.
  8. Gently fold in the chopped grilled chicken, distributing the smoky bits throughout.
  9. Serve immediately while the chicken is warm and lettuce is crisp.

Notes

Pound chicken breasts to even thickness for uniform cooking. Let chicken rest after grilling to keep it juicy. Slice chicken against the grain for tenderness. If dressing is too thick, thin with a teaspoon of warm water. For gluten-free option, substitute croutons with toasted gluten-free bread cubes or nuts. Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a lighter dressing. Add grilled sweet corn for sweetness. Dressing can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored refrigerated.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken salad, Caesar salad, chopped salad, summer salad, easy chicken recipe, healthy salad, homemade Caesar dressing

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/fresh-grilled-caesar-chicken-chopped-salad-recipe-easy-perfect-for-summer/