Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad with Greek Yogurt Caesar Dressing

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

Chicken Caesar Salad can be even better than a restaurant when it is homemade and healthy. Toss romaine lettuce in a creamy light Caesar dressing made with Greek yogurt and add plenty of grilled chicken. So fresh and satisfying. And if you need a gluten free version, you’ll love topping it with seasoned polenta croutons.

Want to save this recipe? Enter your email below and we'll send it straight to your inbox!

You'll also be signing up to receive the latest recipes. You can unsubscribe at any time!

Please leave this field empty.

7946

This may not be a novel recipe, but it is definitely a classic and worth being in anyone’s kitchen arsenal. Especially when you can make it a little new and interesting.

And I always love it when “new and interesting” also means “lighter and healthier”. Especially when it is still delicious.

I also love it when I can enjoy a gluten free salad as it is meant to be without having to say the three magic words, “Hold the croutons.” You can use any croutons you like, but if you want that crunch without gluten (and yes, also probably a wee bit healthier), you are going to love polenta croutons. 

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

While some people like to add things like hard boiled eggs or olive or tomatoes or even avocado to their Caesar salad recipe, I kept this one basic and classic. It only has five main components, though they did get a little bit of a twist.

• Romaine lettuce
• Caesar dressing
• Chicken
• Croutons
• Parmesan cheese

Lettuce

Romaine is the traditional lettuce for Caesar salad, and this is the one place where I didn’t mess with tradition. It is hearty enough to stand up to the thick dressing and still stay crisp.

Caesar Dressing

The healthy Caesar salad dressing is lightened up by making it with Greek yogurt, and no eggs or mayo. I also skipped the anchovies. Some people say that adding anchovies or anchovy paste is essential. However, many are turned off by the little fish or don’t want to open and waste an entire can when they only need a couple.

So this recipe uses Worcestershire sauce, which actually contains anchovies and is an easier way to add that umami flavor and a bit of saltiness. Gluten Free Tip: Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce in the United States is gluten free, but may not be in other countries. So be sure to check the brands available where you live to be sure it doesn’t have any gluten-containing ingredients.

Lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and parmesan cheese are also part of the easy recipe to give it that familiar savory flavor you love.

 Chicken

By making enough of the dressing, it can do double-duty as a chicken marinade. Greek yogurt is amazing for tenderizing chicken, keeping it moist, and helping to infuse the flavors that you add to the marinade into the chicken.

Let it marinate for at least a half-hour or up to overnight before cooking it on the grill or a grill pan.

You can also use any leftover chicken, such as:

• Lemon Yogurt Marinated Grilled Chicken Breasts
• Lemon Herb Slow Cooker Roast Chicken
• Rosemary Balsamic Roasted Chicken
• Or even a leftover rotisserie chicken

Other proteins are also an option, like:

• Honey Balsamic Glazed Steak Bites
• Balsamic Marinated Flank Steak
• Garlic Butter Shrimp from That Low Carb Life
• Blackened Salmon from The Seasoned Mom

Croutons

You can use your favorite storebought or homemade croutons, and even use gluten free bread to make gluten free croutons.

However, just for fun, I made a batch of polenta, flavored it with parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Let it cool in a thin layer, cut it into cubes, and toast in the oven. Yay for gluten free croutons!

For a keto-friendly Chicken Caesar Salad, you can skip the croutons altogether, make parmesan fricos, or sprinkle on some Whisps Parmesan Crisps.

Parmesan cheese

Whether you sprinkle or pile it on your salad, a little parmesan cheese is a perfect way to complete your salad. You can go as fancy as freshly-grated Parmigiano Reggiano, but any good quality parmesan will do. However, I don’t recommend the stuff in the green can. With all the fillers, it doesn’t have as strong and cheesy of a flavor.

Make it a meal

Chicken Caesar Salad is already filling on its own. But if you make smaller salads or have some really hearty appetites, try one of these serving ideas.

Soup and salad

• Vegetarian Minestrone
• Butternut Squash Soup with Sage and Thyme
• Low Carb Stuffed Pepper Soup (skip the croutons on the salad or substitute with Whisps Parmesan Crisps for a keto-friendly meal)

Salad and sandwich

• Three-Cheese Pizza Grilled Cheese
• Italian-style BLT (Prosciutto Arugula Tomato Sandwich)
• Italian Sub Sandwich from The Creative Bite

• Foil Packet Potatoes
• Mozzarella Parmesan Cauliflower Tots
• Spinach Artichoke Cheesy Quinoa Bites
• Air Fryer Gluten Free Zucchini Fritters

More salad recipes

• Grilled Chicken Salad with Berries and Goat Cheese
• Strawberry Spinach Salad with Chicken
• Italian Wedge Salad
• Grilled Steak Salad with Mango and Tomatoes
• Cobb-Style Lobster Salad

5 from 2 votes

Healthy Chicken Caesar Salad

Prep: 20 minutes mins

Cook: 30 minutes mins

Marinating time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Print Review Pin Save Saved!

Ingredients

For the Greek Yogurt Caesar Dressing

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 2 Tablespoons Worcesteshire sauce
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 garlic cloves, minced or crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt

For the Parmesan Polenta Croutons

• 1/2 cup cornmeal or polenta
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 2 Tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning

For the Chicken Caesar Salad

• 1 lb thinly sliced chicken breasts
• about 8 cups romaine lettuce, chopped or torn
• 1 cup packaged or homemade croutons or Italian Herb Parmesan Polenta Croutons
• Additional parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

For the Greek Yogurt Caesar Dressing

• Combine the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, parmesan cheese, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a bowl and whisk together. Store in the refrigerator.

For the Parmesan Polenta Croutons

• Whisk the cornmeal, water, and salt together in a medium saucepan, and place over medium to medium-high heat.
• Bring to a boil, then cook, stirring almost constantly, for 15-20 minutes, or until the polenta is thick and sticky.
• Stir in the cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
• Remove the polenta from the pot and place onto plastic wrap or in a baking dish sprayed with olive oil or cooking spray.
• Shape into a rectangle, about 1/2 in. thick, wrap in plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator until cooled.Preheat your oven to 450°F.
• Cut the polenta into 1/2 inch cubes and place in a single layer, not touching, on a baking sheet coated with olive oil or cooking spray. Spray some more olive oil or cooking spray over the cubes.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, turning every 8-10 minutes, until browned and crispy. Set aside to cool on the pan. Store at room temperature in an airtight container.

For the Chicken Caesar Salad

• Pour about 1/2 cup of the dressing over the chicken and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or up to several hours, if you have time).
• Preheat your grill to high heat.
• Place the chicken on the grill, reduce heat to medium, and grill for about 2-4 minutes per side, or until cooked through, depending on how thick your chicken is.
• Remove from the grill, and set aside.
• Toss the romaine lettuce with a few tablespoons of the dressing, divide between plates.
• Slice the chicken breasts into strips.
• Top lettuce with chicken, croutons, parmesan cheese, and additional dressing, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Healthy Chicken Caesar Salad

Amount Per Serving (1 salad)

Calories 302 Calories from Fat 90

% Daily Value*

Fat 10g15%

Saturated Fat 3g15%

Cholesterol 79mg26%

Sodium 710mg30%

Potassium 750mg21%

Carbohydrates 20g7%

Fiber 4g16%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 32g64%

Vitamin A 8281IU166%

Vitamin C 7mg8%

Calcium 132mg13%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Author: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Disclaimers: Please discuss your individual dietary needs (i.e. gluten free) with a physician. Even when not specified, be sure to verify all ingredients are gluten free, if needed, by reading labels on all packaging and/or confirming with the manufacturer this varies by brand and can change at any time. Nutrition information shown is an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate.

Did you make this?

Leave a rating below and tag @cupcakesandkalechips on Instagram and hashtag it #cupcakesandkalechips

Leave a Rating Instagram Pin Recipe

This recipe was adapted from Jamie Oliver.

Enjoy!