Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad (Printable)

Juicy grilled chicken combined with crisp greens, creamy Greek yogurt dressing, and crunchy sourdough croutons.

# What you need:

→ Grilled Chicken

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
05 - ½ teaspoon salt
06 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Sourdough Croutons

07 - 2 cups sourdough bread, cut into ¾-inch cubes
08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
09 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
10 - ¼ teaspoon salt
11 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Greek Yogurt Caesar Dressing

12 - ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
13 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
15 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
16 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
17 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
18 - 1 garlic clove, minced
19 - ¼ teaspoon salt
20 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Salad Assembly

21 - 2 large heads romaine lettuce, chopped
22 - ¼ cup shaved Parmesan cheese
23 - Freshly cracked black pepper to taste

# How to make it:

01 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat until surface is hot and ready for cooking.
02 - Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Grill for 5–6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove from grill, rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
03 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Toss sourdough bread cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Spread on baking sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes, turning once, until golden and crisp.
04 - In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, extra-virgin olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth and adjust seasoning to taste.
05 - In a large bowl, toss chopped romaine lettuce with half the dressing. Add sliced grilled chicken, croutons, and shaved Parmesan. Drizzle with additional dressing as desired.
06 - Garnish salad with extra Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper. Serve immediately while croutons remain crispy.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • The dressing is genuinely lighter than traditional Caesar, but you'd never know it from the flavor.
  • Homemade croutons mean you control the crunch, and sourdough adds a complexity that store-bought can't touch.
  • You can have this on the table in under 40 minutes, making it perfect for busy nights when you still want something impressive.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting time on the chicken or you'll slice into it and watch all the juices run out onto the cutting board, which is frustrating and ruins the texture.
  • Make the dressing at least 15 minutes before serving so the flavors can meld, and if it's too thick, loosen it with a tablespoon of water at a time rather than more oil.
  • Assemble the salad just before eating because the lettuce will start to wilt if it sits with dressing too long, though the croutons stay crispy longer than you'd expect.
03 -
  • If you have time, marinate the chicken in the seasoning mix for 30 minutes before grilling, and the flavors will actually permeate the meat rather than just sitting on the surface.
  • Make extra dressing because you'll probably want it, and it keeps in the fridge for three days, though the flavor is best within 24 hours.
  • Don't be shy with the freshly cracked pepper at the end, it's not just garnish, it changes the whole taste profile of the salad.
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