Classic Chicken Caesar Salad
By America's Test KitchenPublished on August 21, 2007
Time
1¾ hours
Yield
Serves 4 as a light main dish
Ingredients
Garlic Croutons
2 large cloves garlic, minced fine or pressed through garlic press¼ teaspoon table salt 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 3 cups ¾-inch bread cubes from 1 baguette or country loafBroiled Chicken Breasts
6 tablespoons kosher salt or 3 tablespoons table salt3 tablespoons granulated sugar 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 6 ounces each), trimmed of excess fatGround black pepperCaesar Dressing
2 large eggs 2 tablespoons lemon juice, plus 2 more teaspoons from one lemon1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce ¼ teaspoon table salt ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper 1 medium clove garlic, minced fine or pressed through garlic press (about 1 teaspoon)4 anchovy fillets (flat), minced (about 1 ½ teaspoons)⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oilSalad
2 medium heads romaine lettuce (large outer leaves removed) or 2 large romaine hearts; washed, dried, and torn into 1 ½-inch pices (about 10 cups lightly packed)⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheeseBefore You Begin
For efficiency, several components of the salad can be prepared at the same time. Start by preparing the flavored oil for the croutons. While the oil infuses, prepare the brine and brine the chicken. Once the chicken is brining, finish the croutons and prepare the dressing. If you follow these steps, all the components will be ready to come together when the chicken is cooked. Or, if you prefer to work in advance, both the croutons and the dressing can be made one day ahead. This recipe contains raw or undercooked eggs, which comes with inherent risks. To learn more about food safety, check out this guide.
Instructions
- Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix garlic, salt, and oil in small bowl; let stand 20 minutes to infuse flavors, then pour through fine-mesh strainer into medium bowl. Add bread cubes and toss to coat. Spread bread cubes in even layer on rimmed baking sheet; bake, stirring occasionally, until golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool croutons on baking sheet to room temperature. (Can be covered and stored at room temperature up to 24 hours.)
- Dissolve salt and sugar in 1 1/2 quarts cold water in gallon-sized zipper-lock bag or plastic container. Add chicken and seal bag, pressing out as much air as possible; refrigerate 30 minutes until fully seasoned. Remove chicken from brine, dry thoroughly with paper towels, and season with pepper.
- Meanwhile, adjust oven rack to upper-middle position (should be about 6 inches away from heating element) and heat broiler. Spray broiler pan top lightly with nonstick cooking spray and position over pan bottom. Place chicken on pan; broil until spotty brown and firm to the touch, about 8 minutes, turning chicken halfway through cooking. Transfer chicken to plate and set aside.
- Bring 2 inches water to boil in small saucepan over high heat. Lower eggs into water and cook 45 seconds; remove with slotted spoon. When cool enough to handle, crack eggs open; reserve yolks in small bowl and discard whites, (see illustrations below). Add lemon juice, Worcestershire, salt, pepper, garlic, and anchovies to yolks; whisk until smooth. Whisking constantly, add oil in slow, steady stream. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper. (Dressing can be refrigerated in airtight container up to 1 day; shake before using.)
- In large bowl, toss lettuce, Parmesan, and about two-thirds of dressing to coat; divide evenly among individual plates. Remove tenderloins from chicken breasts; place in bowl used to dress lettuce, along with remaining dressing. Cut chicken breasts crosswise into 1/2-inch slices, add to bowl, and toss to coat. Divide dressed chicken evenly among plates, arranging slices on lettuce. Sprinkle each plate with a portion of croutons and serve immediately.
for the croutons
for the chicken
for the dressing
to finish the salad
Time
1¾ hoursYield
Serves 4 as a light main dishIngredients
Garlic Croutons
Broiled Chicken Breasts
Caesar Dressing
Salad
Test Kitchen Techniques
Ingredients
Garlic Croutons
Broiled Chicken Breasts
Caesar Dressing
Salad
Test Kitchen Techniques
Ingredients
Garlic Croutons
Broiled Chicken Breasts
Caesar Dressing
Salad
Test Kitchen Techniques
Why This Recipe Works
In developing our chicken Caesar salad recipe, we wanted to keep the ingredients simple: crisp pieces of romaine cloaked with a rich dressing made from such unlikely partners as egg, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, with grilled chicken added to create a light main course. For the dressing, we coddled the eggs, then added precise amounts of olive oil, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and anchovy to create a balanced flavor. We tossed the greens with the dressing and lots of grated Parmesan cheese and topped the salad with homemade garlic croutons and moist, well-seasoned, quick-broiled chicken.
Before You Begin
For efficiency, several components of the salad can be prepared at the same time. Start by preparing the flavored oil for the croutons. While the oil infuses, prepare the brine and brine the chicken. Once the chicken is brining, finish the croutons and prepare the dressing. If you follow these steps, all the components will be ready to come together when the chicken is cooked. Or, if you prefer to work in advance, both the croutons and the dressing can be made one day ahead. This recipe contains raw or undercooked eggs, which comes with inherent risks. To learn more about food safety, check out this guide.
Instructions
- Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix garlic, salt, and oil in small bowl; let stand 20 minutes to infuse flavors, then pour through fine-mesh strainer into medium bowl. Add bread cubes and toss to coat. Spread bread cubes in even layer on rimmed baking sheet; bake, stirring occasionally, until golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool croutons on baking sheet to room temperature. (Can be covered and stored at room temperature up to 24 hours.)
- Dissolve salt and sugar in 1 1/2 quarts cold water in gallon-sized zipper-lock bag or plastic container. Add chicken and seal bag, pressing out as much air as possible; refrigerate 30 minutes until fully seasoned. Remove chicken from brine, dry thoroughly with paper towels, and season with pepper.
- Meanwhile, adjust oven rack to upper-middle position (should be about 6 inches away from heating element) and heat broiler. Spray broiler pan top lightly with nonstick cooking spray and position over pan bottom. Place chicken on pan; broil until spotty brown and firm to the touch, about 8 minutes, turning chicken halfway through cooking. Transfer chicken to plate and set aside.
- Bring 2 inches water to boil in small saucepan over high heat. Lower eggs into water and cook 45 seconds; remove with slotted spoon. When cool enough to handle, crack eggs open; reserve yolks in small bowl and discard whites, (see illustrations below). Add lemon juice, Worcestershire, salt, pepper, garlic, and anchovies to yolks; whisk until smooth. Whisking constantly, add oil in slow, steady stream. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper. (Dressing can be refrigerated in airtight container up to 1 day; shake before using.)
- In large bowl, toss lettuce, Parmesan, and about two-thirds of dressing to coat; divide evenly among individual plates. Remove tenderloins from chicken breasts; place in bowl used to dress lettuce, along with remaining dressing. Cut chicken breasts crosswise into 1/2-inch slices, add to bowl, and toss to coat. Divide dressed chicken evenly among plates, arranging slices on lettuce. Sprinkle each plate with a portion of croutons and serve immediately.
for the croutons
for the chicken
for the dressing
to finish the salad
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