Get ready to shake up your salad game with this rotisserie Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe! I have given the classic chicken Caesar a flavorful twist by seasoning it with a lively blend of herbs. Plus, toss in some tasty extras to make this salad truly special. This salad is a hit with my family, perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish for dinner, especially on warm spring or summer evenings. It's refreshing, satisfying, and oh-so-delicious.
This recipe is:
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- Low Carb
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- Keto
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- Gluten Free
Table of Contents
8 Reasons To Love This Recipe
Why do I adore this chicken Caesar salad recipe? Let me count the reasons!
- It’s family-friendly and fantastic!
- Incredibly easy to make and serve!
- Great for groups or larger parties!
- Shredded rotisserie chicken is delicious!
- Tastes better than the traditional Caesar salad recipe!
- Low carb - no one will know!
- Easy to adapt to any taste preferences!
- Perfect for meal planning!
Is Chicken Caesar Salad Low Carb?
Yes, Chicken Caesar Salad can be low carb, depending on how it's prepared. The traditional components of a Chicken Caesar Salad include romaine lettuce, grilled or roasted chicken breast, Caesar dressing (which typically includes ingredients like anchovies, Parmesan cheese, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil), and optionally, croutons. To keep it low carb, you would typically omit the croutons or use a low-carb alternative.
I have made this recipe incredibly low in carbs offering only 6 g net carbs per serving, which makes it a perfect option for anyone on a low carb diet. The dressing itself is generally low in carbs due to its ingredients, making Chicken Caesar Salad a suitable choice for those following a low-carb diet.
The Timeless Appeal of Caesar Salad
Caesar salad has stood the test of time because of its irresistible combination of flavors and textures. At its heart, this classic dish features flavorful chicken, whether you opt for tender chicken breast fillets or rich roasted chicken thighs. Fresh chicken adds a satisfying touch, cut chicken into pieces so that it mixes perfectly with the crisp lettuce. Besides that, you can also use leftover roast chicken for this salad.
To elevate your Caesar salad, consider adding crispy homemade croutons. Toast white bread on a baking sheet or tray until it’s golden and crunchy, and then toss it into your salad for an extra layer of texture. The combination of savory chicken and crunchy croutons makes Caesar salad a timeless favorite that never goes out of style.
Chicken Caesar Salad Ingredient List
Here is the list of ingredients you'll need to make this healthy Caesar salad:
For the Chicken:
- 1 cup rotisserie chicken, shredded (link to how to shred rotisserie chicken)
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Salad:
- 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (grated or shaved)
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- ¼ cup black olives, pitted and sliced
For the dressing:
- ¼ cup Caesar Salad dressing
Ingredient Substitutions
Do you want to mix things up, or are you missing an ingredient? No problem! Here are some tasty alternatives you can use for the crispy chicken Caesar salad:
- Rotisserie chicken: Substitute broiled chicken, grilled chicken, or even boiled chicken.
- Olive oil: Use avocado oil or coconut oil.
- Garlic powder: Use granulated garlic or even some roasted garlic cloves. If using roasted garlic, use one clove when mixing into the chicken.
- Dried oregano: Use dried basil or parsley in the same quantity.
- Paprika: Swap out with some ground cayenne pepper for more heat or ground chipotle pepper for a smoky heat. If you don’t want any heat, use some smoked paprika.
- Romaine lettuce: Substitute iceberg lettuce. The lettuce needs to be hearty to manage the heavier Caesar salad dressing.
- Parmesan cheese: Use pecorino Romano or even some shredded Asiago cheese. It needs to be rich and slightly aged. In a pinch, you can use the pre-grated stuff from a can.
- Cherry tomatoes: Use regular tomatoes. Just dice them and add them to the salad.
- Artichoke hearts: Try artichoke hearts marinated in oil, hearts of palm, or even canned white asparagus.
- Black olives: Use Kalamata olives or even green olives if that’s all you have.
Additional Ingredients
Looking to add some extra flavor and texture to your chicken Caesar salad? Here are some delicious ingredients that pair perfectly with the main ingredients:
- Scallions: Sliced green onions pair well with this salad, and add a bit of zing.
- Bacon croutons (lardon): If you’ve never tried to make a bacon crouton before, they are delicious. I have a recipe for bacon lardon that is just about perfect. If it seems like too much bacon, give my homemade bacon bits a try.
- Hard boiled eggs: If you have hard boiled eggs around, you can add them to the salad in several ways. Slice them into quarters and lay them on the salad. Or, you place the eggs in a bowl and mash them with the backside of a fork until they are crumbled. I love this method as it adds to the texture of the overall salad.
- Vegetables: To meet your daily macro needs, add more vegetables to your salad. Try some of my haricots verts (green beans) or freshly steamed asparagus cut into one-inch segments. Yum.
- Lemon juice: Add a fresh lemon juice splash to brighten the flavors and give your chicken Caesar salad a zesty kick.
Note: These ingredients are not part of the original recipe—use them to enhance or customize the recipe to your liking.
Tools Required
Here is the list of tools you'll need to make chicken Caesar salad:
- A mixing bowl
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
How To Make Chicken Caesar Salad: Complete Guide
Cooking Method
- No-cook recipe
Preparation Steps
- First, we are going to season the chicken. Add the shredded rotisserie chicken to a mixing bowl. Combine all the ingredients for the chicken into the bowl (excluding any ingredients for the salad or for the Caesar salad dressing). Ensure that all the chicken is well coated with the seasonings and set aside.
- In a large bowl or platter, prepare the salad base. Add in the chopped romaine lettuce first, breaking up any large pieces.
- Add the chicken to the Romain.
- Add the additional salad ingredients, spreading them evenly around the salad.
- Serve the salad and allow each person to dress the salad individually. I know that I like a heavily dressed salad while my wife likes it a bit lighter. By dressing the salad individually, any remaining salad can be stored to be eaten later too.
- Enjoy!
Step 1: Add onion powder to the shredded rotisserie chicken in a large mixing bowl.
Step 2: Season the shredded rotisserie chicken with salt and black pepper.
Step 3: Sprinkle dried oregano over the shredded rotisserie chicken.
Step 4: Place chopped romaine lettuce into a serving bowl.
Step 5: Add cherry tomatoes and black olives to the bowl with chopped romaine lettuce.
Step 6: Top the salad with shredded rotisserie chicken.
Step 7: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the salad.
Step 8: Drizzle creamy Caesar dressing over the salad.
Step 9: Add artichoke hearts to the prepared salad.
💡 My Pro Tip
Salad is perfect for so many occasions, but it can sometimes be tricky to please everyone. I love creating a salad bar instead of a composed salad, allowing everyone to pick and choose their favorite ingredients. While a composed salad looks great, a salad bar personalizes the experience for each guest. Try it next time you make this chicken Caesar salad and see what toppings everyone chooses. It's always fun to watch!
⏲️ Time-Saving Tips
- Prep all your veggies in advance, adding each one to a bowl and covering with plastic wrap. Store them in the fridge until you're ready to use them. For a chicken Caesar salad bar, simply remove the plastic wrap and let everyone pick their favorites.
- I usually buy two rotisserie chickens at a time. I serve one for our next meal and shred the other. This way, I have shredded chicken ready to go for quick, easy meals. Having shredded rotisserie chicken on hand is a great way to get creative in the kitchen.
- Save time by buying pre-sliced olives, Parmesan cheese, and more.
What To Serve With Chicken Caesar Salad?
I love pairing my chicken Caesar salad with lots of recipes to make a complete, refreshing meal. Besides that, you can also modify this recipe by adding different types of chicken recipes to it. For instance, you can also use grilled chicken for Caesar salad, or make a chicken Caesar pasta salad. Try some of my favs:
- Lemon Chicken Caesar Salad: Add a zesty twist to your Caesar salad with juicy lemon chicken. The bright, tangy flavors elevate the classic recipe to a new level of freshness.
- Rotisserie Chicken Caesar Salad: This version features tender, flavorful rotisserie chicken. It’s a convenient and delicious way to pair your Caesar salad with perfectly seasoned chicken.
- Cheesy breadsticks: These are perfect for dipping into the Caesar dressing and add a delicious, cheesy crunch to your meal.
- Eggplant Parmesan: This hearty, vegetarian dish pairs beautifully with the crisp, fresh flavors of the salad.
- Meatball Parmesan: Juicy meatballs topped with marinara and melted cheese make a satisfying companion to the light, tangy Caesar salad.
Storage Tips
Store this salad just like any other cut lettuce. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge for a couple of days. You can also store the salad in airtight or meal prep containers. After two to three days, the edges of the romaine lettuce leaves start to brown due to oxidation. Enjoy the salad within 48 hours of chopping the lettuce for the freshest taste and texture.
Recipe Conclusion
As I navigate my low-carb journey, I constantly remind myself that it’s not just about meat and cheese. It’s easy to fall into the habit of sticking to those staples and neglecting my veggies. That’s where a big, hearty salad shines. I can load it up with vibrant vegetables and toss it with a low-carb dressing, making it a delicious and easy way to stay on track.
I hope you enjoy this salad as much as we do—it’s perfect for lunch or a weeknight dinner and comes together in minutes. It’s so satisfying that there are rarely any leftovers! Share your delicious chicken salad recipes with me! Feel free to leave any questions or suggestions in the comments or connect with us on Facebook or Instagram.
Other Salad Recipes
Feel free to explore more of my salad recipes for even more delicious and refreshing options:
FAQs
The best way to season chicken for a Caesar salad is to match the flavor profile of the salad. To make the cooked chicken really pair well with the Caesar salad, add garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and paprika.
Typically, the dressing is where the attention needs to be brought to keep a Caesar salad within the keto guidelines. By making your own low carb Caesar salad dressing, you can keep the carbs in check. most traditional Caesar salad ingredients are keto friendly.
Season your chicken with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs, then grill, bake, or pan-sear until fully cooked. Let it rest before slicing it into bite-sized pieces for your salad.
You can use skinless chicken breasts. Boneless chicken breasts are lean, tender, and easily seasoned to complement the Caesar dressing. You can also use boneless chicken thighs or any combination of chicken.
Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 cup rotisserie chicken shredded (link to how to shred rotisserie chicken)
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Salad:
- 1 head romaine lettuce chopped
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated or shaved
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ cup artichoke hearts drained and chopped
- ¼ cup black olives pitted and sliced
For the dressing:
- ¼ cup Caesar Salad dressing
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- First, we are going to season the chicken. Add the shredded rotisserie chicken to a mixing bowl. Combine all the ingredients for the chicken into the bowl (excluding any ingredients for the salad or for the Caesar salad dressing). Ensure that all the chicken is well coated with the seasonings and set aside.
- In a large bowl or platter, prepare the salad base. Add in the chopped romaine lettuce first, breaking up any large pieces.
- Add the chicken to the Romain.
- Add the additional salad ingredients, spreading them evenly around the salad.
- Serve the salad and allow each person to dress the salad individually. I know that I like a heavily dressed salad while my wife likes it a bit lighter. By dressing the salad individually, any remaining salad can be stored to be eaten later too.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
“This website provides approximate nutrition data and information for convenience and as a courtesy only.”
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