Homemade Chicken Caesar Salad with Dressing: Recipe

The original Caesar Salad is a classic dish believed to have been created by Caesar Cardini, an Italian-American restaurateur, in the 1920s. Recently, I discovered that the original recipe includes anchovies, and adding them truly enhances the salad’s flavor. Give this recipe for a classic homemade Caesar salad with chicken and dressing a try, and feel free to adjust it according to your tastes because ultimately, your enjoyment is the deciding factor. So, how do you make this salad? Do you like anchovies, and do you include them in your recipe?

Recipe

Ingredients in this recipe

Caesar salad base

• Romaine lettuce, washed and dried
• Croutons (made from a baguette)
• Grilled or cooked chicken breast, sliced or diced (optional)
• Grated Parmesan for sprinkling

For the dressing

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 3 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 2 anchovy fillets, mashed (optional for traditional flavor, but you can leave it out)
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 large or 2 smaller egg yolks for a creamier dressing

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1

• In a large salad bowl, tear the Romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. You don’t have to be very careful; just tear the salad.

Step 2

• Prepare the croutons at home by toasting slices of baguette in the oven until they are crispy.

Step 3

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, minced garlic, grated parmesan, Dijon mustard, mashed anchovies, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. For a creamier dressing, add the egg yolk and whisk until well combined with the other ingredients.

Step 4

• Pour the dressing over the Romaine lettuce and toss until the leaves are evenly coated.

Step 5

• Add the croutons and, if desired, the chicken to the salad. Toss again to ensure an even distribution. You can either mix the chicken pieces into the salad or place them on top of the salad.

Step 6

• Finally, sprinkle the finished Caesar Salad with grated Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

Enjoy this original recipe for a classic Caesar salad with chicken and dressing. It’s simple, amazingly tasty, and perfectly combines the refreshing taste of Romaine lettuce with chicken and a flavorful dressing. If you’ve been making Caesar salad without anchovies, like I used to, I highly recommend trying them, as they add another fantastic layer of flavor. While some insist on the traditional recipe, feel free to adjust the ingredients and get inspired to create your own variants that suit your taste best.