Description
Prep once, enjoy all week! This juicy chicken Caesar salad keeps its fresh crunch with strategic meal prepping. Crispy romaine, seasoned chicken, and a creamy homemade dressing stored separately ensure every bite is vibrant. Quick Sunday prep leads to 4 effortless lunches—vibrant, satisfying, and ready in seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (about 2–3) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup day-old bread cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for croutons)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (for croutons)
- Pinch of salt (for croutons)
- 3 anchovy fillets (or 1 teaspoon anchovy paste)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg yolk or 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup olive oil (for dressing)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt (for dressing)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Romaine lettuce, washed and dried
- Extra Parmesan cheese for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat chicken dry. In a bowl, combine 2 tbsp olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, ½ tsp salt, and black pepper. Toss chicken strips until coated. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat; cook for 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through. Let rest, then slice.
- Make Croutons: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Toss bread cubes with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Spread on a baking sheet and toast for 10-12 minutes until golden.
- Prepare Caesar Dressing: In a blender, combine anchovy fillets, garlic, egg yolk or mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon, Parmesan, ½ tsp salt, and black pepper. Pulse until smooth. With the blender running, slowly drizzle in the ½ cup olive oil to emulsify. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Assembly & Storage: Divide veggies, chicken, dressing, croutons, and cheese into airtight containers. Store in the fridge up to 5 days. Assemble just before eating: Toss romaine with a small amount of dressing in a bowl, add chicken, croutons, a drizzle of dressing, and Parmesan.
Notes
- For dairy-free Parmesan, use nutritional yeast or omit.
- Omit anchovy for a fish-free option (add extra garlic for depth).
- Store dressing in a jar; croutons stay crisp in a sealed bag.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 500 kcal
Keywords: meal prep, chicken salad, caesar dressing, week-long lunches, healthy eating