If you’re looking for a salad that actually feels like a meal, this Keto Chicken Caesar Salad has your back. It’s packed with juicy grilled chicken, crisp romaine, creamy Caesar dressing, and a sprinkle of salty Parmesan. It’s hearty, low in carbs, and completely satisfying—without a single crouton in sight. Whether you’re doing keto or just want something fresh and protein-rich, this one’s a keeper.
A Low-Carb Take on a Classic
This isn’t your everyday Caesar salad. Instead of crunchy croutons, this keto version brings the protein front and center with tender grilled chicken. The creamy Caesar dressing (homemade or store-bought) gives it that signature tang, and a generous grating of Parmesan adds the perfect savory finish. It’s bold, it’s filling, and honestly, you won’t even miss the bread.
Why You’ll Love This Salad
All the flavor, none of the carbs: You get the garlicky, peppery, cheesy richness of a traditional Caesar salad—minus the carb-heavy croutons.
Big on protein: Between the chicken, eggs, and cheese, this salad will keep you full for hours.
Quick and weeknight-friendly: Whether you grill or pan-fry the chicken, it all comes together fast with ingredients you likely have on hand.
What You’ll Need
- Chicken breast fillets – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work perfectly here, but if you prefer thigh fillets for extra flavor, go for it.
- Mayonnaise – Any good-quality mayo works, or whip up a homemade keto version if you have time.
- Romaine lettuce – Crisp and fresh, romaine is the classic choice. You could swap in another leafy green if that’s what you’ve got.
- Parmesan cheese – I love using shaved Parmesan for that salty bite, but grated works fine too. If you’re feeling fancy, a Parmesan crisp adds a nice crunch.
- Anchovies (optional) – Totally up to you. Some days I’m all in, other days I skip it. The dressing still tastes amazing without.
- Eggs – Soft-boiled and halved, they’re optional but add richness and texture.
- Avocado and bacon (optional add-ins) – These make it even more filling and flavorful.
How to Make It
Grilled Chicken Version
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Lightly brush chicken with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and any other spices you like.
- Grill for 6–8 minutes per side, or until the internal temp hits 165°F (75°C).
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes, then slice.
Pan-Fried Chicken Version
- Heat a skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Cook the chicken the same way—6–8 minutes per side until fully cooked.
- Rest, then slice.
Make the Dressing
Toss all your Caesar dressing ingredients into a blender or food processor and blitz until creamy. Taste and adjust salt or lemon juice as needed. Set it aside.
Soft-Boil the Eggs
Boil eggs for about 7–8 minutes for that perfect jammy center. Rinse under cold water, peel, and slice in half.
Assemble the Salad
- Add chopped romaine to bowls or a big serving platter.
- Top with sliced chicken, soft-boiled eggs, avocado, bacon, and Parmesan.
- Drizzle over the Caesar dressing—start light and add more to taste.
- Crack fresh black pepper on top and serve.
Keto Chicken Caesar Salad
For a delicious and easy Keto Chicken Caesar Salad, combine freshly grilled chicken strips with crisp Romaine lettuce in a large bowl. Add a drizzle of Caesar dressing, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, and top it off with freshly cracked black pepper. Toss it all together and enjoy a low-carb, quick, and healthy meal that’s full of flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 100 g (3 ½ oz) diced bacon, cooked until crispy
- 300 g (2 cups) chicken breast
- 2 cups cos/romaine lettuce, roughly chopped
- ½ avocado, diced
- 2 tablespoons shaved Parmesan
Keto Caesar Dressing
- ½ clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan, finely grated
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 anchovy (optional)
- Salt flakes and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Conventional Method
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Brush chicken with olive oil and season with preferred spices.
- Grill for 6–8 minutes on each side or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Let rest, then slice.
- Heat a skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Cook chicken for 6–8 minutes per side or until cooked through.
- Rest and slice.
- Blend dressing ingredients in a food processor until smooth and creamy. Season to taste. Set aside.
- Soft boil eggs for 7–8 minutes. Cool in cold water, peel, and halve.
- Place chopped lettuce into two bowls or on a serving plate.
- Top with avocado, chicken, eggs, bacon, and Parmesan.
- Drizzle with dressing to taste.
Thermomix Method
- Cook chicken as above using your preferred method.
- Add dressing ingredients to mixer bowl; mix 10 sec/speed 10. Scrape down and repeat if needed. Season and set aside.
- Place eggs in simmering basket with 400 ml water; cook 10–11 min/120°C/speed 1. Cool, peel, and halve.
- Assemble salad by layering lettuce, avocado, chicken, eggs, bacon, and Parmesan.
- Drizzle dressing over top to taste.
Notes
- Ingredients: Substitute with rotisserie or seasoned chicken. Optional add-ins include grilled prawns or smoked salmon.
- Meat-Free Option: Leave out the chicken for a classic Caesar or use roasted pumpkin, zucchini, or cauliflower.
- Storage: Keep in the fridge for 1–2 days.
- Customization: Add other keto-friendly ingredients like cherry tomatoes, extra avocado, or bacon bits.
- Dressing Tip: Make your own with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, anchovy paste, garlic, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese. Adjust to taste.
This salad is not just low in carbs but also packed with flavor—ideal for anyone following a keto lifestyle.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 3040Total Fat: 232gSaturated Fat: 75gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 147gCholesterol: 773mgSodium: 10489mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 5gSugar: 1gProtein: 207g
Chickenrecipes.blog, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use store-bought Caesar dressing?
Absolutely. Just make sure it’s labeled low-carb or keto-friendly. Double-check the ingredients for added sugars.
How do I store leftovers?
Store everything in separate containers—keep the lettuce, chicken, and dressing apart to avoid sogginess. It should stay fresh in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Can I make this ahead?
Yes, it’s great for meal prep! Cook the chicken and boil the eggs in advance. Assemble when you’re ready to eat for maximum freshness.
How to Serve It
This salad is a full meal on its own, especially with the added eggs, bacon, and avocado. If you’re serving a crowd, you could plate it up on a large platter and let everyone dress their own. It also works great as a make-ahead lunch—just pack the dressing on the side.
Storing Leftovers
To keep things from turning soggy, store the lettuce, chicken, and dressing separately in airtight containers. Everything will stay fresh for 2–3 days in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, just reassemble and drizzle on the dressing.
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