If you’re ready to take your salad game to new heights, the Grilled Romaine Caesar with Chicken is about to become your new obsession. Imagine smoky, charred romaine lettuce topped with juicy grilled chicken, all draped in a creamy homemade Caesar dressing, and finished off with a blizzard of Parmesan and crunchy croutons. This salad is more than just a side—it’s a full, satisfying meal that manages to feel both indulgent and refreshingly light. Whether you’re grilling for a quick weeknight dinner or impressing friends at a summer cookout, this twist on a classic Caesar salad guarantees big flavors with just a handful of simple ingredients.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Grilled Romaine Caesar with Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every component in this Grilled Romaine Caesar with Chicken plays a starring role. Fresh, crisp romaine meets perfectly seasoned chicken, and the homemade Caesar dressing brings it all together. With just a few pantry staples and fresh produce, you can create a showstopper salad that’s anything but ordinary.

Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cook quickly and soak up all those smoky grill flavors.
Romaine lettuce: Hearts of romaine are sturdy enough to stand up to the grill and develop gorgeous charred edges.
Olive oil: Brushing the chicken and lettuce with olive oil keeps them juicy and helps those grill marks shine.
Salt & black pepper: These basics season every layer, enhancing all the fresh flavors.
Garlic powder: Adds a subtle savory kick to the chicken that pairs perfectly with the Caesar profile.
Mayonnaise: The creamy base for your homemade Caesar dressing—no raw eggs required!
Grated Parmesan cheese: Brings salty, nutty depth to both the dressing and the final salad.
Lemon juice: Brightens up the dressing with a hint of tangy freshness.
Dijon mustard: Adds a little bite and helps emulsify the dressing.
Worcestershire sauce: This umami powerhouse delivers classic Caesar flavor.
Garlic clove: Fresh garlic makes the dressing pop—don’t skip it!
Shaved Parmesan, croutons, freshly cracked pepper: The perfect finishing touches for flavor, crunch, and flair.

How to Make Grilled Romaine Caesar with Chicken

Step 1: Prepare and Grill the Chicken

Start by preheating your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. While it’s heating, brush the chicken breasts with about half of your olive oil, then season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Place the chicken on the hot grill and cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side, or until the juices run clear and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing it thinly—this keeps every bite juicy and flavorful.

Step 2: Grill the Romaine

While the chicken is resting, turn your attention to the romaine. Halve each heart of romaine lengthwise to keep the leaves together, then brush the cut sides with the remaining olive oil. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Place the romaine cut side down on the grill for 1 to 2 minutes. You’re not cooking it through—just looking for those beautiful grill marks and a slight wilt to bring out sweetness and smoky notes.

Step 3: Whisk Up the Caesar Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, grated Parmesan, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and minced garlic. Season with a little salt and pepper, then taste and adjust as needed. This homemade Caesar dressing is so rich and flavorful, you’ll want to drizzle it on everything.

Step 4: Assemble Your Grilled Romaine Caesar with Chicken

To serve, lay the warm, grilled romaine halves on a plate. Arrange the sliced chicken artfully over the top. Drizzle generously with your homemade Caesar dressing, then scatter plenty of shaved Parmesan, crunchy croutons, and a finishing flourish of freshly cracked black pepper. Your Grilled Romaine Caesar with Chicken is ready to wow!

How to Serve Grilled Romaine Caesar with Chicken

Garnishes

Don’t be shy with the toppings! For maximum flavor, shower your Grilled Romaine Caesar with Chicken with plenty of Parmesan shavings, freshly cracked black pepper, and a handful of crisp croutons. A thin slice of lemon on the side adds a pop of color and a squeeze of brightness.

Side Dishes

This salad is hearty enough to stand alone, but it also pairs beautifully with simple sides. Try a bowl of seasonal fruit, a light soup, or roasted potatoes for a cozy meal. If you’re entertaining, serve it with a chilled glass of white wine or sparkling water with lemon.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, serve the Grilled Romaine Caesar with Chicken on a big platter and let everyone build their own, or slice the grilled romaine into bite-sized pieces for a party-ready salad. You can even skewer chunks of chicken and romaine for Caesar salad kebabs—a perfect conversation starter!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, store the grilled chicken, romaine, and dressing separately in airtight containers. This keeps everything fresh and prevents the lettuce from getting soggy. Assemble just before serving for the best texture.

Freezing

While the chicken freezes beautifully, grilled romaine and Caesar dressing don’t hold up well in the freezer. If you want to save time, grill extra chicken and freeze it for up to two months, then thaw and slice when you’re ready for your next Grilled Romaine Caesar with Chicken.

Reheating

To reheat the chicken, gently warm slices in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until just heated through. The romaine is best enjoyed fresh off the grill, so try to grill only what you plan to eat right away.

FAQs

Can I make this Grilled Romaine Caesar with Chicken without a grill?

Absolutely! A grill pan or even a hot cast-iron skillet works wonders for achieving those signature char marks on both the chicken and the romaine. You’ll still get all that smoky flavor and gorgeous presentation.

What can I use instead of chicken?

You can easily swap the chicken for grilled shrimp, salmon, or even tofu for a vegetarian twist. Each alternative brings its own unique flavor profile to the Grilled Romaine Caesar with Chicken concept.

How do I keep the romaine from wilting too much?

The key is to grill the romaine quickly over high heat—just a minute or two on the cut side is plenty. You want a little char and wilting on the edges, but the core should stay crisp and crunchy.

Is homemade Caesar dressing safe if I’m concerned about raw eggs?

Yes! This recipe uses mayonnaise instead of raw egg yolks, so it’s totally safe and still incredibly creamy and rich. Perfect for anyone who prefers to avoid raw eggs.

Can I use store-bought Caesar dressing and rotisserie chicken?

Of course! If you’re in a hurry, store-bought dressing and rotisserie chicken make this salad even quicker. The grilled romaine still transforms the dish into something special, so don’t skip that step.

Final Thoughts

There’s something magical about the combination of smoky charred lettuce, juicy chicken, and zesty homemade dressing that makes the Grilled Romaine Caesar with Chicken a meal you’ll want to make again and again. Give it a try and watch your ordinary salad nights turn into an unforgettable flavor adventure!

Grilled Romaine Caesar with Chicken Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 29 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 2 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A delicious and healthy twist on the classic Caesar salad featuring grilled romaine lettuce and succulent grilled chicken breasts, topped with a homemade Caesar dressing, shaved Parmesan, croutons, and freshly cracked black pepper. Perfect for a low-carb, flavorful main course.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Romaine

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 hearts of romaine lettuce, halved lengthwise
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Caesar Dressing

1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 garlic clove, minced
Salt and pepper to taste

Toppings

Shaved Parmesan
Croutons
Freshly cracked black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare the grill and chicken: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush the chicken breasts with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Grill the chicken: Place the chicken on the grill and cook for 5–6 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove from the grill and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
Grill the romaine: Brush the cut sides of the romaine halves with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Lightly sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the romaine cut side down on the grill for 1–2 minutes, until grill marks appear and the lettuce softens slightly. Remove from the heat.
Make the Caesar dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, grated Parmesan, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, and salt and pepper to taste until smooth. Adjust seasoning as needed.
Assemble the salad: Arrange the grilled romaine halves on plates, top with sliced grilled chicken, drizzle generously with the Caesar dressing, and garnish with shaved Parmesan, croutons, and freshly cracked black pepper. Serve immediately.

Notes

You can substitute grilled shrimp or salmon for the chicken for variation.
For a quicker option, use store-bought Caesar dressing and rotisserie chicken.
Grilled romaine is best served immediately after grilling to preserve texture and flavor.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course, Salad
Method: Grilling
Cuisine: American