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About This Recipe
I freaking love Caesar salad. Something about the creamy, cheesy, and tangy parmesan dressing just speaks to the depths of my soul. It doesn’t matter what season it is, I’m always craving it!
But even though Caesar salad is a salad, it is often one of the most calorie dense items on a restaurant menu, namely because the caesar dressing is so calorie dense. So what’s the best way to lighten a caesar salad up? Lighten up the dressing!
I love that there are so many options for caesar dressing these days. You can easily find a lightened up caesar dressing at the store or you can make your own low calorie caesar at home.
Enjoy this healthy caesar salad as side or make into an entree with your choice of protein on top!
It’s perfect served with some grilled or breaded chicken nuggets. Or even better with some blackened chicken tenders for a blackened caesar salad!🔥
Why You’ll Love This Healthy Chicken Caesar Salad
- Main course meal option or omit the chicken for a tasty caesar salad side dish.
- Easy to prep in advance for quick & easy assembly.
- Comfort food that doesn’t taste lightened-up for a second.
- Macro-friendly, high-protein, low calorie caesar salad.
- Perfect for meal prep option!
- Chicken – any chicken works and there’s so many yummy options. See here for my best recs!
- Greens – I used a blend of romaine lettuce and kale. Romaine is classic for caesar salad (for that crunch!) but technically speaking any leafy greens work here so use what you wish!
- Light Caesar dressing – I have a low calorie homemade version or you can use a store-bought dressing (I really like Ken’s light and Bolthouse Farms)
- Parmesan cheese – I used shaved parmesan cheese for this recipe
- Garlic salt – for the homemade croutons. Or you can simply use garlic powder + salt!
- Parsley – freshly chopped or dried
- Bread – highly recommend Sourdough!
How To Make
The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!
1. Start by preparing the homemade caesar salad dressing (skip this step if you’re using store-bought). Store in the fridge until ready to use. Cold caesar = best caesar 🙂
2. And if you need to prepare the chicken, do that too. See blog post for some of my favorite chicken pairings. ANY cooked chicken works for this recipe, use frozen if you’re short on time.
3. Make the sourdough croutons! Cut bread into small cubes. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper then add the bread cubes.
4. Spray them lightly with olive oil. Then sprinkle with garlic salt and parsley.
5. Bake for 10 minutes until slightly crispy. They will crisp up more as they cool.
6. Add the greens to a bowl or meal prep container. Add the parmesan and chicken on top. If serving immediately, add the dressing and croutons and toss together well. If meal prepping, store dressing and croutons separate and mix together when ready to serve.
I usually store the components of this salad separately since I work from home anyway. But you can go ahead and portion out each salad for meal prep too!
Just store the croutons and dressing separately so everything stays fresh.
These 2oz. disposable cups are great for storing the dressing! And you can just throw the croutons in a little zip-top bag.
Best Chicken To Eat With Caesar Salad
My favorite kind of chicken to use for caesar salad is one that is either grilled with a nice brine, breaded, or packed with flavor like with my blackened tenders. Here are my favorite options, though you can definitely use whatever, including rotisserie chicken!
Easy store-bought chicken:
What chicken is good for this recipe?
I really love these easy air fryer chicken recipes with this caesar salad: these blackened chicken tenders, grilled chicken nuggets, and crispy chicken patty
Or you could use frozen Just Bare breaded chicken (healthier than traditional fried chicken but breaded and so tasty!)
Can I meal prep these healthy caesar salads in advance?
Yes I love this recipe for meal prep! You can store all the ingredients separate and assemble when ready to eat or go ahead and portion out each salad. Store the dressing and croutons separate so it doesn’t get soggy and then just toss well with the dressing when ready to eat.
How is this salad best served for a crowd?
If serving for a crowd, I recommend making the croutons as close to serving time as possible so they’re fresh! Also, this salad is best when it is appropriately dressed. Use a salad spinner to evenly coat the greens with dressing right before serving then top with the fresh baked croutons!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!
Light Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Homemade sourdough croutons (makes enough for 2 salads)
To assemble each salad (makes 1 salad; make as many as you wish)
- 2 cups chopped romaine and kale use any greens of choice
- 2 Tbsp shaved parmesan (14g)
- 1/2 cup grilled chicken bites (70g), any cooked chicken see
- 2 Tbsp light Caesar dressing (34g) or store-bought (I like Ken's lite or Bolthouse Farms)
- homemade sourdough croutons
- sweet baby gherkins optional
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Instructions
- Start by preparing the homemade caesar salad dressing (skip this step if you're using store-bought).
- And if you need to prepare the chicken, do that too. See here for my favorite pairings!
- For the croutons: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut bread into small cubes. Add to baking sheet and spray lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle with garlic salt and parsley. Bake for 10 minutes or until crispy (they'll crisp up more as they cool).
- Assemble salad: Add greens to a bowl or meal prep container. Add the parmesan and chicken over top. If serving immediately, add the dressing and croutons and toss together to combine. If meal prepping, store dressing and croutons separate and mix together when ready to serve. I like these 2-oz. disposable cups for dressing when on the go.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.
