Chicken Caesar Salad Avocado (Print Version)
A fresh, protein-packed salad with grilled chicken, creamy avocado, crisp greens, and zesty homemade dressing.
# What You Need:
→ Salad
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
04 - 2 large heads romaine lettuce, chopped
05 - 2 ripe avocados, sliced
06 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
07 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 1 cup croutons (use gluten-free if needed)
→ Caesar Dressing
09 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
10 - 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
11 - 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
12 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
13 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
15 - 2 anchovy fillets, minced or 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
# Directions:
01 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
02 - Brush chicken breasts with olive oil and season both sides with salt and pepper. Grill for 6 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Parmesan, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, lemon juice, anchovies, salt, and pepper until creamy and smooth.
04 - In a large bowl, toss chopped romaine lettuce with half of the dressing until well coated.
05 - Arrange the dressed romaine on a serving platter or individual plates. Top with sliced chicken, avocado, cherry tomatoes if using, croutons, and extra Parmesan.
06 - Drizzle remaining dressing over the top and serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It tastes indulgent and restaurant-quality but comes together faster than you'd think.
- The homemade Caesar dressing elevates everything it touches in a way store-bought versions never do.
- It's the kind of salad that feels light but keeps you satisfied, with protein and healthy fats doing the heavy lifting.
02 -
- The chicken resting step isn't optional, it's the difference between juicy chicken and dry chicken, and five minutes on the counter costs you nothing.
- Don't dress the whole salad at once, because if you do the romaine gets soggy before you even serve it, so keep half the dressing back and drizzle it at the end.
03 -
- Grill your chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap if they're thick, so they cook evenly and you don't end up with dry edges and a raw center.
- Keep your croutons in a dry container and only add them right before serving, because once they touch the dressing they're on borrowed time.