I used to think salads were just sad piles of lettuce people ate when they were “being good.” Then, I had a real Caesar salad—creamy dressing, crispy romaine, and savory grilled chicken. It wasn’t diet food; it was a flavor explosion.
But when I had to cut out gluten, I thought my days of crunchy croutons and tangy Caesar dressing were over. Turns out, I was so wrong.
This gluten-free Caesar salad brings everything you love—rich Parmesan, garlicky dressing, and juicy grilled chicken—without a speck of gluten. It’s a restaurant-quality dish, made better at home with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Whether you’re gluten-free by choice or necessity, this salad will make you forget what you’re “missing.”
Tips for the Best Caesar Salad
✅ Maximize Flavor – Always let the chicken rest before slicing so it stays juicy.
✅ Homemade Croutons? Yes, Please! – Cube gluten-free bread, toss with olive oil and garlic powder, then bake at 375°F for 10 minutes.
✅ Make it Dairy-Free – Swap Parmesan for nutritional yeast and use dairy-free mayo.
✅ Extra Crunch – Add toasted sunflower seeds or crispy chickpeas.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a side of gluten-free garlic bread or a cup of tomato soup.
- Turn it into a wrap by using a gluten-free tortilla.
- Make it a meal prep staple by storing the dressing separately until ready to eat.
Gluten-Free Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A rich, creamy, and crunchy Caesar salad that’s completely gluten-free, featuring grilled chicken, a homemade dressing, and crispy croutons.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 1 large head of romaine lettuce, washed and chopped
- 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese (freshly grated is best!)
- 1/2 cup gluten-free croutons (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Grilled Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
For the Gluten-Free Caesar Dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (make sure it’s gluten-free!)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
1. Grill the Chicken
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). If you don’t have a grill, a cast-iron skillet works great.
- Pat the chicken dry and drizzle with olive oil.
- Mix the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, paprika, and lemon juice, then rub all over the chicken.
- Grill for 6–7 minutes per side until cooked through (internal temp: 165°F). Let it rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
2. Make the Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, pepper, and Parmesan.
- Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking to create a creamy consistency.
3. Assemble the Salad
- Toss the romaine lettuce with dressing until evenly coated.
- Add grilled chicken slices, gluten-free croutons, and shaved Parmesan.
- Sprinkle with black pepper for a final touch.
Notes
Can be made dairy-free by using nutritional yeast and dairy-free mayo. For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of mayo.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
