Introduction Caesar salad has become a great classic of international cuisine. Behind its apparent simplicity lies a subtle balance between crunchy lettuce, grilled chicken, golden croutons, freshly grated parmesan, and a creamy, slightly tangy dressing. Prepared with fresh ingredients and uniform cuts, it makes for a complete, quick, and tasty meal. This homemade version will allow you to enjoy a generous salad that is much more flavorful than industrial versions. Key Information Element Value Preparation 20 min Cooking 12 min Total time 32 min Difficulty Easy Servings 4 people Ingredients For the salad 2 heads of romaine lettuce 2 chicken fillets 80 g parmesan (grated with the cheese grater) 150 g country-style bread 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt, pepper For the Caesar dressing 1 egg yolk 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon lemon juice 6 cl neutral oil 2 tablespoons grated parmesan 2 anchovy fillets, finely chopped (optional) 1 small garlic clove Pepper Recommended equipment To make this recipe, use: a kitchen knife to cut the chicken and lettuce; a cheese grater to finely grate the parmesan and mince the garlic; a stable and hygienic cutting board; a pan or a grill; a salad bowl. Preparation Step 1 – Prepare the croutons Cut the bread into small, uniform cubes with a kitchen knife on a cutting board. Sauté them in a pan with the olive oil until they are golden brown and crispy. Set aside. 👨🍳 CuisinerTelUnChef Tip For even tastier croutons, add a crushed clove of garlic to the pan during cooking. The garlic infuses the oil, and the croutons absorb all the flavors. Step 2 – Cook the chicken Season the fillets with salt and pepper. Cook them for about 5 to 6 minutes per side over high heat. Let them rest for a few minutes before slicing them into thin strips with a sharp kitchen knife. 👨🍳 CuisinerTelUnChef Tip To perfectly master chicken cooking, check out our Complete Guide to Poultry Cooking Techniques. The ideal internal temperature for a chicken breast is 72°C. Step 3 – Prepare the dressing In a bowl, mix the egg yolk and mustard. Gradually add the oil while whisking to emulsify. Incorporate the lemon juice. Add the garlic finely grated with the fine grater, the grated parmesan, and the anchovies if using. The dressing should be smooth and creamy. Season generously with pepper. 👨🍳 CuisinerTelUnChef Tip Grate the garlic directly into the dressing using a fine grater rather than chopping it. Grated garlic blends perfectly into the dressing without leaving chunks and releases all its aroma. Step 4 – Prepare the salad Wash and carefully spin-dry the lettuce. Cut it into medium-sized pieces. Using the cheese grater, create thin shavings of parmesan. Step 5 – Assembly In a large salad bowl, toss the lettuce with the dressing. Add the chicken pieces. Incorporate the croutons. Finish with the parmesan shavings. Serve immediately. The secrets to a successful Caesar salad Very fresh lettuce Romaine provides the signature crunch of this salad. Choose heads that are firm and deep green. Perfectly golden chicken Quick cooking in a hot pan keeps the meat juicy with a beautiful golden crust. Freshly grated parmesan Its taste is more intense and its texture more pleasant than pre-grated cheese. Use a fine grater to obtain delicate shavings. Homemade croutons They add an incomparable crunchy texture. Prepare them in advance and store them in an airtight container. Variations Salmon Caesar Replace the chicken with grilled salmon Shrimp Caesar Use shrimp sautéed with garlic and butter. Vegetarian Caesar Add roasted chickpeas or crispy tofu. Gourmet Caesar Top with hard-boiled eggs or cherry tomatoes. What to serve with this salad? It can be served: on its own as a main course; with a cold soup in the summer; as a side for grilled meat; with homemade focaccia. Recipes to discover 🍗 Traditional Oven-Roasted Chicken 🍛 Creamy Chicken Curry 🐟 Baked Salmon 🦐 Spaghetti Carbonara Associated technical guides Techniques for all egg cooking methods: Chef's tips Fish Cooking Techniques Plating Toss the salad with the dressing just before serving to maintain its crunch. Use parmesan aged for at least 18 months for a richer flavor. Prepare croutons in advance and store them in an airtight container. Storage The assembled salad does not keep well for long. It is best to store the dressing, croutons, and chicken separately, then assemble at the last moment. Nutritional values (approximate) Per serving Quantity Energy 520 kcal Protein 34 g Fat 34 g Carbohydrates 18 g Fiber 3 g FAQ Can the Caesar dressing be prepared in advance? Yes, it keeps for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Which cheese should I use? Parmesan is the traditional choice, but Grana Padano can also work. Can the anchovies be replaced? Yes, they are optional. You can simply enhance the seasoning with a little more parmesan and mustard. How to keep a salad nice and crunchy? Spin-dry the lettuce thoroughly and add the dressing only at the moment of serving. 🛒 Cook like a Chef with CuisinerTelUnChef To succeed with your Caesar salad, equip yourself with the right utensils: Our kitchen knives — to cut chicken and lettuce with precision Our cheese graters — to finely grate parmesan and garlic Our cutting boards — to work in the best conditions