Chicken Caesar Salad – Easy Cheesecake Factory Copycat

This chicken Caesar salad is a no-fuss, classic mix of crisp romaine, warm chicken, parmesan, and croutons — simple, but it hits every time. It’s fast, requires almost no cooking, and works great for lunch, dinner, or meal prep. Way more satisfying than you’d expect from something this low-effort.

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Quick Summary

• Prep time: 10 mins
• Cook time: 0 mins
• Flavor: crisp, salty, creamy, a little tangy
• Great for: quick lunches, busy nights, low-energy cooking

Why I Like This Recipe

I wasn’t aiming for anything fancy. Just needed food that didn’t talk back. Ended up throwing this together and honestly? It tasted way better than I deserved that day. Crunchy, salty, kinda cozy. Made it twice that week. No regrets.

Ingredients

• 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce (washed and dried)
• 1 lb cooked chicken breast (sliced thin)
• ½ cup finely shredded parmesan
• ½ cup seasoned croutons
• ¼ cup creamy Caesar dressing (bottled is fine)

How To Make Chicken Caesar Salad

1. Prep your greens: Wash, dry, and chop that romaine. Dry it well — soggy salad is a bummer.
2. Slice the chicken: Use leftover or pre-cooked chicken. Warm is best, but cold works too.
3. Assemble it all: Pile romaine into a bowl. Add the chicken on top.
4. Add cheese: Sprinkle parmesan evenly — a little extra never hurts.
5. Top with croutons: Right before serving so they stay crunchy.
6. Drizzle the dressing: Go light or heavy — your call. Toss if you’re feeling wild, or just leave it as is.

Tips for Success

• Really dry your lettuce — it makes all the difference
• Use warm chicken if you want it to feel more like a full meal
• Don’t dress the whole thing ahead of time — it gets limp
• Use a sharp knife for slicing, clean lines make the plate look better

Storage and Reheating

• Fridge: Store undressed salad in an airtight container. Keep croutons + dressing separate. Lasts 1–2 days.
• Freezer: Nope. Doesn’t work for fresh salads.
• Reheat (if needed): Microwave the chicken for 30 seconds if it’s cold and you want warmth.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use rotisserie chicken?
  Yes. It’s actually ideal. Less work, more flavor.
• What if I don’t have Caesar dressing?
  Any creamy dressing could work. Or olive oil + lemon + garlic in a pinch.
• Can I make this ahead?
  Yes, just keep the croutons and dressing separate until you’re ready to eat.
• How do I make it vegetarian?
  Swap the chicken for chickpeas or roasted tofu. Still solid.
• Do I need fresh parmesan?
  Nah. Pre-shredded works fine here — no judgment.

Common Mistakes and How to Dodge Them

• Using wet lettuce: Water dilutes the dressing and makes it soggy. Dry your greens well.
• Adding croutons too early: They’ll get soft if they sit too long in dressing or steam.
• Overdressing the salad: You can always add more dressing. Harder to undo it once it’s soaked.
• Too much chicken, not enough greens: Keep it balanced or it’ll feel like a meat plate with lettuce on the side.
• Undersalting it: Caesar dressing is salty, but if your chicken’s bland, the whole thing flops.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 360 kcal
• Total Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Cholesterol: 90mg
• Sodium: 670mg
• Potassium: 580mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 8g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 2g
• Protein: 33g

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