Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad
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This Chicken Caesar Salad is hearty, flavorful, and easy to make at home, complete with blackened chicken tenders, crisp romaine, homemade croutons, and creamy Greek yogurt Caesar dressing. It’s the kind of salad that eats like a full meal!
Sheila’s Recipe Snapshot for Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe
This salad has everything—crunch, flavor, and creamy Caesar goodness!
With spicy-sweet blackened chicken tenders, crunchy golden croutons, and crisp romaine tossed in a lighter Caesar dressing, this chicken Caesar is the salad to beat all salads! It’s a balanced, protein-packed dish that’s perfect for lunch or a satisfying yet light dinner.
The homemade croutons and from-scratch seasoning on the chicken really take this salad to the next level, and it still comes together quickly with basic ingredients. And when you toss it all with the healthy Greek yogurt Caesar dressing, every bite is creamy, savory, and crave-worthy!
Ingredient Notes for Chicken Caesar Salad
Chicken
- Chicken Tenders | Quick to cook and tender every time; you can sub chicken breast if needed.
- Olive Oil | Used to make the blackening spice paste and to sear the chicken.
- Spices | You will need kosher salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, dried basil, cayenne, brown sugar to make a homemade blackening blend that gives the chicken a bold and smoky flavor.
Croutons
- French Bread | Day-old bread works great here for maximum crunch.
- Olive Oil Spray | Light and even coverage for baking without making the croutons greasy.
- Salt & Pepper | Simple seasoning goes a long way.
Salad
- Romaine Lettuce | The classic Caesar base that’s crisp and refreshing.
- Caesar Dressing | We love this with our creamy, no-anchovy Greek yogurt Caesar dressing. If you prefer, you can use your favorite store-bought version!
- Shaved Parmesan Cheese | Adds nutty richness and that classic Caesar flavor.
- Cherry Tomatoes & Avocado | Not traditional, but they add color, freshness, and a little healthy fat.
Variations and Substitutions
- Chicken. Swap tenders for sliced grilled chicken breast, rotisserie chicken, grilled salmon, shrimp, or even crispy tofu for a vegetarian twist.
- Dressing. Use your favorite store-bought Caesar if you’re short on time, but our Greek yogurt version keeps it light and flavorful, and is so easy to make!
- Croutons. No French bread? Use sourdough, ciabatta, or a hearty whole grain bread.
- Add-ins. Try crispy bacon, a soft-boiled egg, or roasted chickpeas for even more texture and protein.
- Spice level. Adjust the cayenne to taste or use a milder Cajun blend if preferred.
How to Make Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad
This hearty Caesar salad is the kind of meal that feels fancy but comes together fast—just pan-seared chicken, crispy croutons, and our favorite homemade dressing!
PREP THE SEASONING. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a small bowl, with all of the blackening spices for the chicken and the brown sugar. Stir well to form a paste.
SEASON THE CHICKEN. Pour the blackening seasoning paste over the chicken tenders and stir until the tenders are well coated.
SEAR THE CHICKEN. Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the chicken tenders. Allow the tenders to cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes on the first side. Flip, and cook for 3-4 minutes on the second side, until fully cooked through. Set the cooked chicken aside.
MAKE THE CROUTONS. Put the cubed bread on a baking sheet. Spray with olive oil spray and season with salt and pepper. Bake the croutons in the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes, until crisp and golden brown.
PREP THE LETTUCE. While the croutons are baking, chop the romaine lettuce (and avocado and cherry tomatoes if using).
ASSEMBLE & ENJOY. Add the dressing to the lettuce and toss to coat. Top with the cooked chicken, croutons, parmesan cheese, avocado, cherry tomatoes and extra dressing if desired.
More Recipe Success Tips
Storage and Reheating Tips
To prepare this Caesar salad ahead of time, store each salad component separately.
- Chicken: Store cooled, cooked chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Croutons: Keep in a sealed container in a cool, dry place for 4–5 days.
- Romaine and toppings: Store chopped romaine, cheese, and any optional veggies separately in the fridge.
- Dressing: The Greek yogurt Caesar dressing lasts 3–4 days in the fridge. Just thin with milk if needed before serving. Assemble the salad just before eating for the best texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Use your favorite Caesar, but we highly recommend trying it with our homemade Greek yogurt Caesar for a healthier, creamy option.
Traditionally, Caesar salad is kept pretty simple—just crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, and shaved or grated Parmesan cheese. But we love to add extra toppings like cherry tomatoes and creamy avocado for added flavor and texture. You can also customize your salad with ingredients like sliced cucumbers, shredded carrots, red onion, or even grilled vegetables. It’s an easy salad to adapt based on what you have in the fridge or what’s in season!
Looking for More Salad Recipes?
This easy butter lettuce salad and my wedge salad recipe are great starter salads, or my grilled salmon salad is a wonderful filling option!
What to Serve With Chicken Caesar Salad
This chicken Caesar salad can be served on its own, or with some sides for a larger meal! For a cozy lunch or light dinner, try serving it alongside a bowl of roasted tomato soup or Instant Pot chicken soup.
If you’re planning a pasta night, this salad makes a great starter for marry me chicken pasta or cherry tomato pasta. Warm bread, like cheddar bay biscuits or easy homemade yeast rolls, makes a wonderful side for soaking up any extra dressing!
Beyond the Recipe
Despite its name, the salad has no ties to Julius Caesar—it’s named after its creator, Caesar Cardini, an Italian-American restaurateur, who owned a restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico.
Over time, the recipe evolved and became a staple on menus across the U.S. and beyond, with countless variations now featuring grilled chicken, anchovies, or lighter takes like this one with Greek yogurt dressing!
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Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
For the croutons
- 3 cups French bread cubed
- Extra virgin olive oil spray
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the salad
- 7 ounces romaine lettuce chopped
- ¼ cup Caesar dressing plus more to taste
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese shaved
- cherry tomatoes and avocado optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a small bowl, with all of the blackening spices for the chicken and the brown sugar. Stir well to form a paste.
- Pour the blackening seasoning paste over the chicken tenders and stir until the tenders are well coated.
- Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the chicken tenders. Allow the tenders to cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes on the first side. Flip, and cook for 3-4 minutes on the second side, until fully cooked through. Set the cooked chicken aside.
- Put the cubed bread on a baking sheet. Spray with olive oil spray and season with salt and pepper. Bake the croutons in the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes, until crisp and golden brown.
- While the croutons are baking, chop the romaine lettuce (and avocado and cherry tomatoes if using).
- Add the dressing to the lettuce and toss to coat.
- Top with the cooked chicken, croutons, parmesan cheese, avocado, cherry tomatoes and extra dressing if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Life Love and Good Food does not claim to be a registered dietician or nutritionist. Nutritional information shared on this site is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
