Summer’s Favorite: How to Master the Classic Caesar Salad
Summer is all about enjoying fresh, flavorful dishes, and there’s nothing quite like a Classic Caesar Salad to satisfy those cravings. I absolutely adore this salad during the warmer months. Sometimes, I toss it up without chicken for a lighter touch, and other times, I add grilled chicken for a heartier meal. It’s versatile, delicious, and always a hit at my table. Let’s get into how you can whip up this timeless dish right at home.
Why Will You Love this Recipe?
- Fresh and Flavorful: The crisp romaine lettuce combined with the rich, creamy dressing and salty parmesan creates a symphony of flavors. Each bite is as satisfying as the last.
- Customizable: Whether you’re a meat-lover or prefer to keep it plant-based, this salad is wonderfully adaptable. Add chicken for extra protein or keep it simple with just the essential ingredients.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe comes together in no time. It’s perfect for a quick lunch or a stress-free dinner that doesn’t skimp on taste.
Here are the basic steps:
And here are the additional steps if you want to add chicken:
Recipe Variations
- Protein Options: Besides chicken, try tossing in some shrimp or salmon for a different twist on protein. Each brings a unique flavor that pairs beautifully with the Caesar dressing.
- Dressing Tweaks: For a lighter version of the dressing, substitute Greek yogurt for some of the mayonnaise. It’ll still be creamy but with a tangy kick and fewer calories.
- Add-Ins: Feel free to throw in some avocado slices, cherry tomatoes, or even capers for extra texture and flavor.
Tools You’ll Need
- Large Salad Bowl: For tossing and serving your salad, a large bowl is essential. It gives you plenty of room to mix everything thoroughly.
- Skillet: Needed for making those perfect, crispy croutons and cooking the chicken and bacon.
- Blender or Food Processor: Ideal for blending the Caesar dressing to smooth perfection.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Texas Roadhouse Grilled Chicken Salad
- Chicken Tuna Salad Recipe
- Chili’s Buffalo Chicken Salad
- Sweetgreen Buffalo Chicken Salad
- Green Spinach Waffles
Classic Caesar Salad
Whether you’re enjoying this as a quick lunch or serving it at your next dinner party, this Classic Caesar Salad is sure to delight. Enjoy the freshness, simplicity, and versatility of this beloved salad recipe!
Equipment
- 1 Skillet
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 head romaine lettuce
- 5 ounces shredded Parmesan cheese
Croutons
- 5.5 ounces bread or rolls cubed
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
Caesar Dressing
- 2 cloves garlic
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise
- 1 ounce grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 anchovy fillets
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Additional Ingredients for Chicken Caesar Salad
- 1.1 pounds chicken breasts
- 3 tablespoons oil for frying chicken
- Salt and pepper for seasoning chicken
- 4.5 ounces bacon or pancetta cubed
Instructions
Classic Caesar Salad Preparation
- Wash and dry romaine lettuce leaves. Leave whole or chop to desired size.
- For croutons, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and once it becomes fragrant, add bread cubes. Fry until golden brown and crispy. Let cool.
- For the dressing, combine mayonnaise, grated Parmesan, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, anchovy fillets, garlic, and a pinch of pepper in a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Place lettuce in a large serving dish, drizzle with desired amount of dressing.
- Top with croutons and shredded Parmesan cheese.
Additional Steps for Chicken Caesar Salad
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. In a skillet, heat oil and cook chicken until golden brown and fully cooked. Let it cool slightly before slicing into strips.
- Add sliced chicken to the salad.
- Cook bacon or pancetta in the same skillet until crispy. Remove and use to sprinkle over the salad.
