Chicken Caesar Salad (2024)

This fresh and delicious Chicken Caesar Salad is made with a few basic ingredients and a zesty homemade Caesar dressing. With easy prep, this salad is the perfect way to add some greens to your diet and feel good about what you’re eating. Plus, making your own Caesar dressing means you can avoid the preservatives and additives found in store-bought dressings.If you are looking for more delicious salads, make sure to check out my buffalo chicken salad and my cheeseburger salad.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Egg: If you are concerned about using a raw egg in the dressing recipe, you can consider using a pasteurized egg for this recipe.

Anchovies: There’s debate around whether anchovies were originally included in Caesar dressing, but they were eventually added. While some people love them and some hate them, they shouldn’t give a “fishy” taste. Instead, anchovies should be briny and meaty, adding texture to the dressing. You can skip them if you want, but if you use Worcestershire sauce, which is made from a base of vinegar and anchovies, you’ll still get some of their flavors. I have made this dressing both with and without anchovies, and the difference is subtle enough that you could skip that part if you wanted.

Chicken: Having a batch of grilled chicken or shreddedchicken around is perfect for quick and easy meal planning. Rotisserie chicken would also be delicious in the salad.

Croutons: Making croutons at home is super simple. You basically cut up a french loaf into small cubes and then toss them in a melted garlic butter sauce and then bake until they are golden brown and crispy. These will keep up to two weeks if stored in an airtight container and are the perfect complement to a fresh Caesar salad.

Can I Make Caesar Salad Ahead of Time?

There are several ways to make this salad preparation easier. You can grill or cook the chicken in advance, as it will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also prepare the dressing ahead of time, which will last for 2-4 days in the fridge. Another option is to assemble the salad without the dressing and store it in individual portions for a quick and easy lunch on the go. When ready to enjoy, simply add the dressing. Assembled salads will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

How to Store Homemade Caesar Salad

After you have made the caesar dressing, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last up to 4 days. As for the salad mixture, you could assemble it without the dressing; it will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator, but the lettuce and any other vegetables you may add may lose their freshness.