Pan-Fried Chicken Caesar Salad

Crisp lettuce, golden chicken, and tangy dressing

Total: 24 min
Hands-on: 20 min
Serves: 2
Level: Easy
Cuisine: American
Meal: Lunch

This quick lunch features perfectly pan-fried chicken strips over fresh romaine lettuce, combined with classic Caesar dressing, crisp croutons, and salty parmesan shavings.

Shopping list

2 chicken breasts
1 head romaine lettuce
50 g parmesan cheese
100 g Caesar croutons
60 g mayonnaise
80 ml prepared Caesar dressing

Ingredients

2 chicken breasts pounded to even thickness
1 head romaine lettuce washed, dried, and torn
50 g parmesan cheese shaved for serving
100 g caesar croutons store-bought or homemade
60 g mayonnaise
80 ml prepared Caesar dressing

Method

Place the chicken breasts in a bowl and season generously with salt and black pepper on both sides.

2 min
Heat a large, wide frying pan over medium-high heat until it is hot. Add the chicken breasts in a single layer.

5 min
Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes without moving it until the underside is deeply golden brown.

5 min
Flip the chicken and cook for another 4-5 minutes until cooked through and the juices run clear.

5 min
Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board, cover loosely with foil, and let it rest while you prep the salad.

2 min
Tear the romaine lettuce into a large serving bowl. Pour over the prepared Caesar dressing and mix well to coat.

3 min
Slice the rested chicken into thick strips, then pile it over the dressed lettuce in two separate bowls.

2 min
Top each bowl with a generous shower of Caesar croutons and large shavings of parmesan cheese.

1 min

Chef's tips

Always let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing to keep the juices inside the meat.
Mix the dressing with the lettuce just before serving to keep the romaine crisp.
If using store-bought croutons, warm them lightly in a dry pan to restore their texture.

Swap it

Grilled chicken: For a lower-fat option, pre-grill the chicken and slice it instead of pan-frying.
Shredded chicken: Skip the slicing and shred the cooked chicken for a more texturally casual presentation.
Wholemeal croutons: Choose wholemeal or seitan croutons to boost the fibre content of the dish.