I never tasted Caesar salad until I moved to Canada from Romania. It was quite a revelation! The tangy dressing paired with the crisp lettuce – I was hooked. Yet when I read the ingredients on the store-bought dressing bottle, my excitement took a bit of a nosedive. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands and create a healthy, gluten-free chicken Caesar salad recipe. I must say, it turned out to be a hit with my family and friends – they all gave it a big thumbs up.
This salad isn’t just a treat for your taste buds, it’s also a hearty and healthy option for lunch or a refreshing cold side dish during the summer. I guarantee you’ll fall in love with it. Not only is it bursting with flavor, but it’s also a breeze to whip up.
Meal prep this chicken Caesar salad
If you like to meal prep this recipe, divide this easy Caesar salad into mason jars and pop them in the fridge for a few days. Just remember to keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to dig in. The dressing will stay fresh and flavorful for a whole week if stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
If you’re not in the mood for meal prepping and just want to devour the salad immediately, toss all the ingredients into a big bowl and give them a good mix until they dance together harmoniously.
Alright, let this tasty and healthy chicken Caesar salad adventure begin!
Good To Know
Lettuce is beneficial for brain health as it contains antioxidants that protect against damage, vitamin K for cognitive function, and folate for brain development. Its high water content promotes hydration, making it a healthy choice for overall well-being and brain function.
I love to include olive oil in my Caesar salad. It adds a delightful flavor and it also provides brain-boosting benefits thanks to monounsaturated fats, small amount of omega 3s and antioxidants. It’s a win-win for the taste buds and for the gray matter!
Substitutions
You can replace the chicken breast with other protein sources like cooked and cubed turkey, canned tuna or salmon, tofu or tempeh. Have you ever tried a vegetarian or vegan version of this quick Caesar salad? What was the protein source you used?
For a gluten-free alternative to croutons, you can use toasted gluten-free bread or crumbled rice cakes. Additionally, roasted chickpeas or seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds can add a crunchy texture.
If you want to include gluten-free grains, you can substitute cooked quinoa with cooked rice, buckwheat or millet. If gluten is not an issue, quinoa can be replaced with bulgur, farro or couscous.
You can use Greek yogurt or sour cream as a substitute for mayo if you’re looking to lighten up the dressing while maintaining its creaminess.
Make it
Gluten free – use gluten-free croutons and a gluten-free Worcestershire sauce.
Dairy free – replace the parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast or a vegan parmesan substitute.
Vegetarian – replace the chicken with quinoa, chickpeas, tofu or tempeh.
Vegan – replace the cheese with nutritional yeast or a vegan parmesan substitute and replace the chicken with quinoa, chickpeas, tofu or tempeh.
Extra health points
If you would like to add more nutrition to this healthy Chicken Caesar salad recipe (which I always love to do), consider adding a generous serving of cooked quinoa.
Quinoa is rich in carbohydrates that fuel the brain and it’s also packed with vitamin E, magnesium, iron and zinc that provide incredible brain-boosting benefits. Being a complete protein, quinoa helps in memory retention and learning, while its fiber content ensures a steady supply of energy and reducing brain fog or energy crashes.
If you love bacon, feel free to sprinkle in some bacon bits right alongside the freshly-grated parmesan cheese.
Storing, freezing and reheating tips
Store
The Caesar dressing keeps well in the fridge in an air-tight container for 7 days. Once the salad is mixed with the dressing, it’s best enjoyed immediately as the lettuce won’t maintain its crispiness.
Freeze
I don’t recommend freezing the salad dressing as it doesn’t freeze well.
Watch how to make it step-by-step!
Healthy Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 mins (cook the chicken and quinoa while preparing the lettuce and the dressing)
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Indulge in a delicious medley of crisp romaine lettuce, tender grilled chicken and crunchy croutons, all dressed in creamy Caesar dressing. Topped with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, this salad offers exciting and comforting flavors and textures. I guarantee you’ll love it!
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken breast, boiled, baked or grilled, then cut in bite-size pieces and cooled (see note 1)
- 8 cups lettuce chopped
- 1 cup gluten-free croutons
- 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan
- Optional – cooked and cooled quinoa; bacon bits
Dressing ingredients (see note 2)
- 1 big garlic clove sliced (or 2 small ones)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 tbsp mayo
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp gluten free Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup olive oil
Instructions
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Make the dressing by combining all the dressing ingredients in a mason jar with a secure lid. Give it a good shake to ensure everything is well mixed.
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If you prefer the dressing to be thinner, feel free to add a few more tablespoons of olive oil and give it another shake.
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If you prefer to meal prep, layer the salad ingredients in mason jars, keeping the dressing separate.
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If you are ready to enjoy the Caesar salad right away, place the salad ingredients in a big bowl and drizzle the dressing over the top.
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Sprinkle parmesan cheese.
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Sprinkle bacon bits if using.
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Add the quinoa. Make sure it’s cooled before you add it to the salad.
Enjoy!
Notes
Assemble this healthy chicken Caesar salad only when you are ready to eat, so the lettuce stays crispy.
While I haven’t included the chicken cooking step here, you can save time by prepping the lettuce and making the dressing while the chicken is cooking. Even more, if you’re adding quinoa to the salad, consider cooking it alongside the chicken to streamline the process.
I love these glass mason jars as they each hold one serving of salad, they are reusable and have an airtight lid. The mouth of the mason jars is big enough to easily place the salad ingredients in.
What To Cook Next
Get ready for a game changer! I do not say this lightly: this is the only kale salad recipe you’ll ever need. It supports brain health and is great for meal prep, as unlike a green salad which wilts quickly, it keeps well in a fridge for a few days. Bonus is that it’s an easy and yummy salad you can make all year long.
