The ultimate makeover: Chicken Caesar salad

The ultimate makeover: Chicken Caesar salad

Angela Nilsen has been on a mission to make the not-so-innocent Caesar salad more honest. The result? A healthier and tastier version. So tuck in

Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 4

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 25 mins

Cook time

Cook 25 mins

Super healthy

Source of calcium, folic acid, vit C,

Method

  1. Marinate the chicken. Mix the lemon juice, oil, thyme and garlic in a shallow dish. Add the chicken and turn it over in the marinade to coat well. Season with freshly ground pepper and leave for up to 2 hrs.
  2. Heat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Slice, then cut the bread into big, rough cubes for the croutons. Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then brush all over with the 2 tbsp oil. Bake for about 10 mins until golden and crisp.
  3. Meanwhile, put the garlic into a mini blender with the mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, chilli and anchovies. Blend until smooth, add the mayonnaise and yogurt, then blend again - it should be the consistency of double cream. Adjust the taste with lemon juice and pepper. If necessary, thin with a couple of tsps of cold water to get the consistency right so it will coat the leaves.
  4. Heat a griddle pan until very hot. Lay the chicken on the griddle, on the side that had the skin on. Cook for 15-16 mins, turning once or twice, until cooked through. Remove, then let the meat sit for 5 mins before slicing.
  5. Keep any small inner lettuce leaves whole, tear the larger outer leaves into 2-3 pieces, then put them all into a large bowl with the rocket or watercress. Pour just under half the dressing over the leaves and carefully toss to coat - it's gentler to use your hands. Either assemble in the bowl, or pile the leaves onto individual plates, tucking in the croutons, chicken and Parmesan. Drizzle the rest of the dressing over and around, then finish with an extra squeeze of lemon.

Per serving

430 kcalories, protein 43g, carbohydrate 15g, fat 23 g, saturated fat 4g, fibre 3g, sugar 4g, salt 1.37 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine, June 2008.

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Latest comments and suggestions

Results 1-20

  • Binder photo smpdit

    29 May 2008

    smpdit rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    One of my husband's favorites that i don't like much. Not any more.. this is lovely! simple assembly, fresh flavours, and the dressing is excellent! Used fresh marinated anchovies because I like them and will admit it wasn't fat free yogurt.. My rocket was picked from the garden 5 minutes before tea!

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  • Binder photo %%

    04 June 2008

    %% rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    the best caeser recipe I've ever used.

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  • Binder photo Gayns

    12 June 2008

    Gayns rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    Very tasty especially the griddled chicken. Will definitely make again as you would never know it was a healthy version as it tastes so good!

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  • Binder photo Esmee

    26 June 2008

    Esmee commented on this recipe

    This looks absolutely delicious. Does any have any suggestions on how to best shave the parmesan cheese?

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  • Binder photo Claire Helen

    30 June 2008

    Claire Helen rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Absolutely delicious. Will be making it again, and again.

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  • Binder photo Rog

    02 July 2008

    Rog rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Excellent!!

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  • Binder photo smpdit

    30 July 2008

    smpdit commented on this recipe

    Esmee, to shave the parmesan I used a potato peeler.. smpdit

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  • Binder photo adlazi

    31 July 2008

    adlazi commented on this recipe

    Esmee, I find the best way to 'shave' paremesan is by using a potato peeler. Hope you find this useful!

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  • Binder photo andy94

    04 August 2008

    andy94 rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I use this recipe as a starter instead of a main course. The chicken marinade is lovely.

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  • Binder photo goodfood

    22 September 2008

    goodfood rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I made this for the whole family. Enjoyed by everyone. So easy to make.

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  • Binder photo Sarah

    04 October 2008

    Sarah rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    We all adore chicken caesar - have made this several times now - and will return to it again and again.

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  • Binder photo UnderstandingMoon

    13 February 2009

    UnderstandingMoon rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I added avocado and a few raw snow peas to enhance the flavour. Also, I didn't have thyme leaves handy so used fresh coriander as a replacement. Scrumptious!

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  • Binder photo Food Glorious Food

    18 April 2009

    Food Glorious Food rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    AMAZING!!

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  • Binder photo ak

    21 July 2009

    ak rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Lovely, used low-fast mayo but still so rich, creamy and tasty

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  • Binder photo christine

    23 September 2009

    christine rated this recipe

    5 stars

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  • Binder photo caroline

    02 October 2009

    caroline rated and commented on this recipe

    4 stars

    substitued quorn fillets cut lenth ways and did exactly as the recipe says, left out the anchovies being vegetarian. Very good recipe .

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  • Binder photo Vulpitza

    30 November 2009

    Vulpitza rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Quick to do, very tasty.

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  • Binder photo cakeanyone?

    04 May 2010

    cakeanyone? rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    My husband's a huge caesar salad lover and says this is the best he's had and has requested it at least once a week!

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  • Binder photo Peter Wallace

    02 July 2010

    Peter Wallace commented on this recipe

    Just made this today for my wife, daughter and her partner. Everybody raved about it. The only complaint was that they could have eaten more. Best Caesar salad I've had. Only change I made was to use full-fat Greek yoghurt.

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  • Binder photo Peter Wallace

    02 July 2010

    Peter Wallace rated this recipe

    5 stars

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Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 4

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 25 mins

Cook time

Cook 25 mins

Super healthy

Source of calcium, folic acid, vit C,

Ingredients

FOR THE CHICKEN

  • 1½ tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves , plus a few sprigs
  • 1 garlic clove , bashed to bruise
  • 4 organic/free-range skinless boneless chicken breast fillets , about 140g/5oz each

FOR THE CROUTONS

FOR THE DRESSING AND SALAD

  • 1 garlic clove , finely chopped
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice , plus extra for squeezing
  • good pinch chilli flakes
  • 4 anchovies fillets, finely chopped
  • 3 tbsp good-quality mayonnaise (we used Hellman's)
  • 4 tbsp fat-free yogurt
  • 1 head romaine or Cos lettuce , leaves separated, washed and dried
  • 100g bag rocket or watercress
  • 25g piece Parmesan , shaved with a potato peeler
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Per serving

430 kcalories, protein 43g, carbohydrate 15g, fat 23 g, saturated fat 4g, fibre 3g, sugar 4g, salt 1.37 g

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