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
If you're looking for a salad that actually feels like a meal, this Keto Chicken Caesar Salad has your back.
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 your grill to medium-high heat. Brush the chicken with olive oil and season it with your favorite spices. Grill until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C), turning to cook both sides evenly. Once done, let the chicken rest before slicing it.
- Alternatively, heat a skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat and cook the chicken until it’s thoroughly cooked on both sides. Allow it to rest, then slice.
- For the dressing, blend all ingredients in a food processor until it’s smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning as needed and set it aside.
- Soft boil the eggs by cooking them for about 7–8 minutes, then cool them in cold water. Peel and cut them in half.
- Arrange chopped lettuce in two bowls or on a serving platter. Top with sliced avocado, chicken, halved eggs, crispy bacon, and shaved Parmesan. Finish by drizzling the dressing over everything to your liking.
- Thermomix Method : Prepare the chicken using your chosen cooking method as described above.
- Place all dressing ingredients in the mixer bowl and blend for 10 seconds on speed 10. Scrape down the sides and blend again if needed. Adjust the seasoning and set aside.
- Place the eggs in the simmering basket with 400 ml of water and cook for 10–11 minutes at 120°C on speed 1. Once cooked, cool them, peel, and halve.
- To assemble, layer the lettuce, avocado, sliced chicken, eggs, bacon, and Parmesan. Drizzle the dressing generously over the top before serving.
Notes
- Ingredients can be swapped for rotisserie or seasoned chicken, and you can also include extras like grilled prawns or smoked salmon if you like.
- For a meat-free version, simply leave out the chicken for a classic Caesar feel, or try adding roasted pumpkin, zucchini, or cauliflower instead.
- Store the salad in the fridge for up to one or two days to keep it fresh.
- You can easily customize it with other keto-friendly additions such as cherry tomatoes, extra avocado, or crispy bacon bits.
- For the dressing, try making your own using mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, anchovy paste, garlic, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese, adjusting the flavors to your preference.
- This salad isn’t just low in carbs—it’s bursting with flavor, making it a great choice for anyone on a keto diet.
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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