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Pan-Seared Chicken Caesar With Homemade Croutons

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  • #9067

This Caesar pulls all the stops. Homemade French bread croutons, thin-sliced chicken breast, and a zippy lemon garlic dressing with anchovy paste combine for one heck of a salad. All hail Caesar.


serves/makes:
  
ready in:
  under 30 minutes

ingredients

4 slices French bread
non-stick cooking spray
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon anchovy paste
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
5 cloves garlic
9 cups romaine lettuce
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

directions

Trim bread crusts and discard. If the bread is large, cut it into 1 inch cubes. Otherwise, slice it thin. Place cubes or slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Coat with cooking spray; sprinkle with garlic powder; toss well. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes, tossing part way through the cooking time, or until lightly browned and set aside.

In skillet, saute chicken 6 minutes on each side or until well done. Remove chicken from skillet; let cool. Cut chicken across the grain into thin slices; set aside.

Combine lemon juice and next 5 ingredients in blender. Cover and process until smooth. Add 1/4 cup of the lemon juice mixture to the chicken; toss gently to coat.

In a large salad bowl, place the lettuce. Drizzle remaining lemon juice mixture over lettuce and toss well. Add the chicken mixture and cheese, and toss gently to coat. Serve with croutons.

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recipe tips


For extra flavor, rub the bread with a cut garlic clove before cutting it into cubes for the croutons.

To make sure the chicken is juicy, let it rest for a few minutes after cooking before slicing.

For a healthier dressing, use Greek yogurt in place of some of the olive oil.

Add a handful of cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, or red onion to the salad for more veggies.

If the dressing is too thick, thin it with a little water or additional lemon juice.

Grill the chicken instead of pan-searing for a grilled, smoky flavor.

For a creamier salad, add a dollop of mayonnaise or sour cream to the dressing.

Top the salad with additional Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper before serving.

If you have leftover chicken, it can be stored in the refrigerator and used for sandwiches or other salads.

common recipe questions


Is there a substitute for anchovy paste in the dressing?

If you prefer not to use anchovy paste, you can omit it, but it does add a distinct flavor to the dressing. Alternatively, Worcestershire sauce can be used as a substitute.

Can I use a different type of lettuce?

Romaine lettuce is traditional for Caesar salad, but you can use other types like iceberg or mixed greens for a different texture.

How can I make this salad vegetarian?

Omit the chicken and anchovy paste. You can add grilled tofu or chickpeas as a protein source.

Can I prepare parts of this salad in advance?

Yes, the croutons and dressing can be made in advance. Store the croutons in an airtight container and the dressing in the refrigerator.


nutrition data

Nutritional data has not been calculated yet.


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