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Home Chicken

Caesar Salad

By:Nagi
Published:20 May '20Updated:5 Feb '23
244 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

Long live the Caesar Salad! This homemade Caesar Salad Dressing will rival that of any great restaurant. Add chicken to make a meal, top with a poached or fried egg, or serve it straight up the classic way.

For a lighter dressing option, try this mayo-free Caesar salad dressing – it’s incredible!

Caesar Salad in a white bowl, ready to be served

Caesar Salad

I’m going to call it – Caesar salad is a pain to make, calling for an inordinate amount of pots and pans to be dirtied in the name of just one salad.

  • Food processor for the dressing – and the mayo makes it all greasy which is a pain to clean (or hogs an enormous amount of dishwasher space)

  • Baking tray for the croutons

  • Skillet for the bacon

  • Cutting board

  • Giant bowl to toss the salad – you’ve really gotta toss with abundance when using creamy dressing, can’t do it in the serving bowl

  • Serving bowl

All that for ONE salad.

And yet, we do it. Because it’s worth it!! Especially the creamy dressing!

Caesar Salad Dressing in a bowl, ready to be served

Eating Caesar Salad

What goes in Caesar Salad

There’s all sorts of variations around, but the classic is made with:

  • cos lettuce (aka romaine) – or iceberg will do in a pinch!

  • crispy bacon

  • croutons – garlic croutons, at that!

  • Caesar Salad Dressing

  • parmesan cheese, for finishing

With the rich dressing, I find that even a “plain” Caesar salad is filling enough as it is to have as a meal. But a common addition, which you often find on the menu of bistros, is chicken and egg. Adds protein and makes it even more satisfying – so I’ve included these are optional in the recipe below!

Chicken Caesar Salad - Restaurant quality salad, it's all about the homemade dressing!

Homemade Caesar salad dressing recipe

If you’ve never tried homemade Caesar Salad Dressing before, you’re in for a real treat. It is absolutely sensational, and not even the poshest gourmet store can compare to a fresh homemade one.

The secret ingredient is anchovy. I know some people might scrunch up their faces at the thought of anchovy in a dressing, but seriously!  It is the secret ingredient that will turn a “pretty good” dressing into a restaurant quality one!

Oh and PS. If you’ve had and loved Caesar Salad when eating out, you ate anchovies. So stop the nose scrunching!!😂


What goes in Caesar Salad

Here’s what you need:

What goes in Caesar Salad Dressing

How to make Caesar Salad

And here’s how to make it. (I already forewarned you – LOTS of washing up. TOTALLY worth it!)

How to make Caesar Salad

Wondering if Caesar salad is healthy? Yes…and no!

Before we go any further – this might be a salad, but let me banish any misconception in your mind that Caesar salad is healthy. Fat in the dressing and the bacon.

But you know what? Calorie content aside, at least I’m getting lots of greens into my system, right??

Or put it this way – a giant bowl of Caesar Salad might have the same calories as a creamy pasta, but it’s got a whole lot more nutrition in it!

Caesar Salad in a bowl, ready to be eaten

LOW CAL version!!

Just in case you’re reading all this but dreading the calorie count you’ll see when you scroll down to the recipe – DON’T WORRY! Here’s a (much) lower calorie Yogurt Caesar Salad Dressing.

All the flavour, but made with a yogurt base instead of mayonnaise so it won’t have that same rich mouthfeel. But still creamy, same depth of flavour – and a whole lot healthier!

Close up of jar with Healthy Caesar salad Dressing (no mayo yoghurt dressing)

Can you even tell that this is the low fat version?? NOPE!

Spoon drizzling Healthy Caesar salad Yogurt Dressing on salad

And after all of that, all those pots and pans you’ve dirtied – you get to munch your way through one of the greatest salads ever invented.

That fresh crisp lettuce. The crunchy garlic croutons. The salty pops of bacon. And that creamy homemade Caesar Salad Dressing.

Caesar Salad might take time to make, but it is worth every single second. Really, truly, cross my heart. – Nagi x


Watch how to make it

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Caesar Salad in a white bowl, ready to be served

Caesar Salad - with homemade Caesar Salad Dressing

Author: Nagi | RecipeTin Eats
Prep: 20 minutes mins
Cook: 20 minutes mins
Total: 40 minutes mins
Dinner, Salad
South Western
4.98 from 89 votes
Servings5 - 6 as a side (2 - 3 as meal with chicken)
Tap or hover to scale
Print
  • 202
Recipe video above. This homemade Caesar Salad Dressing recipe will rival that of any great restaurant! Anchovy is key to proper flavour in the dressing - every self respecting restaurant uses it, so if you've had Caesar Salad out and loved it, you've eaten anchovies!
Add chicken to make a meal, or serve it straight up the classic way.

Ingredients

Dressing

  • 1 cup mayonnaise (Hellman's or S&W Whole Egg) (Note 1)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic , finely minced (use garlic press, if you can)
  • 2 anchovy fillets or 3/4 tsp Anchovy paste (Note 2)
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese , or 1/3 cup store bought grated parmesan cheese (Note 3)
  • 3 - 4 tbsp milk (to adjust consistency)
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper

Garlic Croutons

  • 2 - 3 slices white bread , 2/3" / 1.5cm thick (Note 4)
  • 1 garlic , cut in half
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Salad

  • 150g / 5oz streaky bacon , cooked and chopped
  • 10 cups cos / romaine lettuce , chopped, wash & dried (1 large, 2 medium, 3 small) (Note 5)
  • Freshly grated parmesan , for garnish

Optional Extras - Chicken & Egg

  • 2 - 4 eggs , cooked to your taste, peeled and halved
  • 500g / 1lb chicken breast fillets (2 pieces)
  • 1/2 tsp EACH salt and pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

Dressing

  • Whizz all ingredients in food processor until smooth, starting with 3 tbsp milk.
  • Taste and adjust salt and pepper as desired, and use milk to get the dressing to the desired consistency. (Note 6)
  • Set aside for 20 minutes+ to allow flavours to develop.

Bacon

  • Place bacon into a cold skillet (no oil), then turn onto medium high. Cook until golden, turn, cook other side until golden. Remove onto paper towels, cool, then chop.

Garlic Croutons

  • Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F.
  • Toast bread in the toaster for 1 minute (or oven for 2 minutes each side) until surface is dried but not browned.,
  • Rub both sides of each piece of bread with the cut side of the garlic (Note 7).
  • Remove crust from bread (optional) and cut into cubes - around 1.5 cups. Drizzle with 1 - 2 tbsp olive oil, sprinkle with salt, then bake until golden, shaking the tray once. Sandwich bread will take around 7 minutes, sourdough and similar breads take 12 - 15 min.

Assemble

  • Place lettuce in bowl with 1/2 the Dressing. Toss well, taste, then decide if you want more Dressing.
  • Transfer to serving bowl. (Top with chicken and egg if using) Scatter over with bacon and croutons. Sprinkle with parmesan and serve!

OPTIONAL EXTRAS - Chicken & Egg

  • Eggs: Place the eggs in a saucepan and cover with water. Place over medium high heat and bring to simmer. Once the water is simmering, turn down to medium (gentle simmer) and cook for 3 min (for soft centres), 4 min for firm yolks and 6 min for hard boiled. Remove eggs, run under cold water for 15 sec then leave submerged in a bowl of cold tap water for 5 min. Peel then set aside. (Note 6)
  • Chicken: Either pound the chicken to about 1.2cm/ 1/2" even thickness, or slice each breast in half horizontally. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Use bacon fat remaining in skillet. Cook first side for 5 min, turn then cook the other side for 2 min. Remove, cover loosely with foil and rest for 5 min. Cut into slices.

Recipe Notes:

1. Mayonnaise - the better the mayo, the better than dressing. I like Hellman's Real Mayonnaise and S&W Whole Egg Mayonnaise - these are creamier and have a smoother, richer flavour than others that can be too vinegary or too sweet.
No Mayo version - sub with Greek Yogurt, add a bit of extra virgin olive oil. Really! Full recipe here.
2. Anchovy fillets are key to achieve a true restaurant quality flavour. You can't taste it, but it's the seasoning for the sauce so if you skip it, you'll need to add more salt. Use the dark brown anchovy fillets in oil that come in a jar or can in the canned fish aisle of supermarkets, not the white anchovy fillets that are brined in vinegar, not oil, that are typically sold at delis, not prepackaged (served on antipasto platters).
Substitutes:
  • Best / just as good - 3/4 tsp anchovy paste
  • Next best - 1 tsp of fish sauce (yes really
  • OK - extra 1/4 cup parmesan plus pinch of salt
3. Parmesan - Store bought pre-grated parmesan is denser than freshly grated which is why you don't need as much. It won't whizz up as smoothly either, but personally it doesn't bother me.
4. Croutons - you want enough bread to make 1.5 cups croutons (on the generous side, but no one wants to run out!). Use plain, normal sandwich bread or make your own - use this dead easy Artisan Bread or if you're out of yeast, this No Yeast Sandwich Bread.
5. Lettuce - iceberg is also great.  Make sure you wash lettuce well in advance to let it dry properly. Dressing won't coat wet lettuce so make sure it's dried! I usually chop, wash then dry using a spinner.
Chop into whatever size suits you for eating. I use small cos lettuce and just chop 2 cm / 2/3" strips. For large ones, peel leaves off, stack and chop.
6. Dressing - Don't thin the dressing too much, otherwise it won't cling to the lettuce. You can whizz it up in a blender or use a stick blender too!
7. Croutons - The purpose of this step is to add garlic flavour to the croutons. I prefer not to toss the croutons in minced garlic because the garlic burns before the croutons turn golden.
8. Storage - After tossing in Dressing, salad is good for around 20 minutes (longer than   the usual leafy salads), then after that the lettuce starts getting soft. Best to dress just before serving - if taking somewhere, take all components separately.
Dressing will keep 3 to 4 days - seems to get better with time!
8. Nutrition per serving assuming 5 servings as a side dish (no egg or chicken) with 2/3 of the Dressing used (which I think is enough, but because Caesar Salad Dressing is so good, I always like to make a bit more just in case). 

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 440gCalories: 396cal (20%)Carbohydrates: 10g (3%)Protein: 12g (24%)Fat: 35g (54%)Saturated Fat: 8g (50%)Cholesterol: 39mg (13%)Sodium: 970mg (42%)Potassium: 363mg (10%)Fiber: 2g (8%)Sugar: 3g (3%)Vitamin A: 8268IU (165%)Vitamin C: 4mg (5%)Calcium: 143mg (14%)Iron: 2mg (11%)
Keywords: Caesar Salad, Caesar salad dressing, chicken caesar salad
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @recipe_tin.

Originally published May 2016. Brand new video added, process steps and new photos – as well as an update on Life of Dozer!


Life of Dozer

Dozer munching on his greens… 🥬🧸

Dozer green toy

And from the original time I published this recipe:

No photobombing by Dozer today because a) he didn’t realise there was chicken and bacon in the salad; and b) he was having a good snooze after a rather active session at Bayview…. 😉

Dozer-Bayview2

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Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative!

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244 Comments

  1. Sue says

    December 9, 2023 at 2:58 pm

    5 stars
    Made this last night and my husband said this is the best side dish he has ever had to accompany his steak.
    And that Nagi is the highest praise.
    Thank you so much and am loving your book!
    Wishing both Dozer and yourself a truly wonderful Christmas 🎄.

    Reply
  2. Laraine says

    December 5, 2023 at 7:28 am

    5 stars
    Iceberg makes the very best salad, no matter what sort you’re making. Caesar is one of my all-time favourites, along with a properly made tossed salad (where you toss the dry part of the salad in oil before adding vinegar, or substitute such as lemon, and then the wetter ingredients, e.g., tomato).

    Reply
  3. Erin says

    December 1, 2023 at 11:50 am

    5 stars
    Fabulous recipe! Great for my brother and his celiac wife. Not a bit got left behind.

    Reply
  4. Nikki Barwise says

    December 1, 2023 at 8:47 am

    5 stars
    This Caesar Salad is a regular summer dinner in our house! The dressing is one of the best Caesar salad dressings I’ve ever had – and so easy!
    You will never buy store bought Caesar dressing again after making this.

    Reply
  5. Diane Gordon says

    November 30, 2023 at 4:40 pm

    5 stars
    This Caesar dressing is amazing. I had all the ingredients and it was so quick in the food processor. Will never buy store dressing again.

    Reply
  6. Deb says

    October 22, 2023 at 12:37 pm

    5 stars
    First time making a chicken Cesar salad, my partner said one of the best he’s ever had. Thanks Nagi for another regular to the menu

    Reply
  7. Leah says

    October 9, 2023 at 11:06 pm

    5 stars
    Yum! The whole family loved it. Made the dressing to the recipe, then put together the quantities of salad ingredients that we’d normally eat. We have heaps of dressing leftover after 4 generous side servings. How long will the dressing keep in the fridge?

    Reply
  8. Kate says

    October 2, 2023 at 7:20 pm

    5 stars
    Amazing! Bulked ours up with Nagi’s poached chicken.

    Reply
  9. Monica Rodriguez says

    September 25, 2023 at 3:02 am

    5 stars
    Delicious! I never made Caesar dressing before and I didn’t realize it could be this easy. I whipped it up in my little blender. Didn’t have anchovies but I had sardines so I subbed the sardines and it came out delicious I can’t wait to try it with actual anchovies.

    Reply
  10. Sally says

    August 22, 2023 at 3:32 am

    5 stars
    Delicious! I made the yogurt based dressing, and it was wonderful. The egg was a nice addition. I never thought about putting egg in ceasar salad. It added a nice flavor and texture. I did cheat and use store bought croutons, but I followed everything else to the dot.

    Reply
  11. James Archer says

    August 16, 2023 at 2:25 pm

    Just made the dressing. Wow! It’s amazing. Couldn’t wait to tell you. Can’t wait till tonight to make the salad.

    Reply
  12. Jeanne says

    August 16, 2023 at 10:15 am

    5 stars
    I made this using turkey bacon (due to dietary restriction). Thank you for this recipe, it is delicious. I always wanted to try a Caesar salad. I crave this salad all the time now. 5 out of 5

    Reply
  13. Susie says

    August 15, 2023 at 2:19 pm

    Making this for visitors at the weekend, just wondering how far ahead I can make croutons and what is the best way to store them?

    Reply
  14. Lea says

    August 6, 2023 at 11:10 am

    Seriously the best caesar salad I have ever eaten and caesar is my fav salad and had many 🙂 Thank you for the recipe x

    Reply
  15. Diane Gordon says

    August 4, 2023 at 9:33 pm

    5 stars
    For some reason, I always thought Ceasar dressing was complicated!
    This was so easy. And delicious. I literally scraped the blender bowl out to lick the sauce!!

    Reply
  16. Daisy says

    July 11, 2023 at 8:38 pm

    5 stars
    So good! I made the dressing in a mortar and pestle – just pound up anchovies, garlic, mustard and lemon then add mayo and Parmesan. Delicious!

    Reply
  17. Deborah March says

    June 17, 2023 at 1:09 am

    Simply perfect! I served it with your fabulous baked salmon patties THANKS Nagi! ❤

    Reply
  18. Daria says

    May 7, 2023 at 8:18 am

    5 stars
    It was so delicious! Dressing was easy to make and very tasty.

    Reply
  19. Mel B says

    April 23, 2023 at 8:52 pm

    5 stars
    That Caesar dressing is absolutely magnificent 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼

    Reply
  20. Togue says

    April 23, 2023 at 5:09 am

    5 stars
    This dressing is so delicious! I like to add a little extra lemon juice and a splash of maple syrup. I use gluten free bread for the croutons and absolutely adore the idea of bacon in a caesar salad. Love love love this dressing – my new go-to for caesar salads…

    Reply
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I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

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