Romaine Caesar Bowl (Printable format)

Fresh romaine with creamy dressing, crunchy croutons, and protein for a hearty meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Salad

01 - 2 large heads romaine lettuce, washed, dried, and chopped
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese

→ Croutons

04 - 3 cups day-old bread, cubed
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Protein

09 - 2 grilled chicken breasts, sliced
10 - or 1 can chickpeas, drained and roasted
11 - or 8 ounces grilled shrimp

→ Caesar Dressing

12 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
13 - 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
14 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
15 - 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
16 - 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
17 - 1 garlic clove, minced
18 - 2 anchovy fillets, finely minced
19 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
20 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Toss bread cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes until golden and crisp. Cool completely.
02 - In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, anchovy fillets, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper until well combined.
03 - Prepare your selected protein: grill chicken breasts and slice; or roast chickpeas at 400°F tossed with olive oil, salt, and pepper for 20 minutes; or grill shrimp until cooked through.
04 - In a large bowl, toss chopped romaine with half the Caesar dressing. Add cherry tomatoes and shaved Parmesan cheese.
05 - Top salad with croutons and cooked protein. Drizzle with remaining dressing and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Versatile Protein: Choose from grilled chicken, shrimp, or roasted chickpeas.
  • Homemade Dressing: A rich, garlicky blend that beats store-bought versions.
  • Quick and Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes with simple kitchen tools.
  • Textural Balance: Combines crisp greens, creamy dressing, and crunchy croutons.
02 -
  • Convenience: Use store-bought croutons if you are in a hurry.
  • Flavor Depth: Anchovies provide a classic savory depth; however, they can be omitted for a lighter or vegetarian version.
  • Allergen Safety: Always double-check labels on ingredients like mayonnaise (eggs), Worcestershire sauce (fish), and Parmesan (milk) for allergen compliance.
  • Perfect Texture: Cool the croutons completely before adding them to the salad to prevent the greens from wilting.
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