Grilled chicken over crisp romaine with corn, cannellini beans, tomatoes, croutons, parmesan, and chipotle Caesar dressing
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 400, Carbs: 25 g, Protein: 35 g, Fat: 18 g, Sat. Fat: 4 g , Sodium: 550 mg , Fiber: 6 g
Prep Time: 20 to 25 minutes, plus 1 to 2 hours for marinating Cook time: 15 to 20 minutes Yield: 4 servings; 1 salad per serving Difficulty level: Easy
The Ultimate Summer Chicken Caesar Salad
Ingredients
Prepare
The Ultimate Summer Chicken Caesar Salad
- 12 ounces chopped romaine lettuce, about 12 cups
- ½ cup roasted corn
- ¾ cup low-sodium cannellini beans, drained
- 12 to 16 red grape tomatoes
- 2 cups Balsamic Grilled Chicken
- 1 cup Flatbread Croutons
- 4 tablespoons shaved parmesan cheese
- ¾ cup Chipotle Caesar Dressing
- 1. Divide the romaine into 4 salad bowls, about 3 cups per bowl.
- 2. Top each salad bowl with:
- 2 tablespoons roasted corn
- 3 tablespoons cannellini beans
- 3 to 4 grape tomatoes
- ½ cup diced grilled chicken
- ¼ cup flatbread croutons. - 3. Sprinkle each salad with 1 tablespoon shaved parmesan.
- 4. Enjoy immediately with 3 tablespoons of dressing on the side or drizzled over the top.
Balsamic Grilled Chicken
- ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon honey
- ⅛ teaspoon finely chopped garlic
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 12 ounces raw boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1. In a bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic, salt, pepper, and oil.
- 2. Coat the chicken with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.
- 3. Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
- 4. Grill for about 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until grill marks form, and the chicken reaches a minimal internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 5. Remove from heat. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then dice it into ½-inch pieces.
Flatbread Croutons
- 1 (6-inch) whole grain flatbread
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 2. Cut flatbread into ½-inch cubes.
- 3. Toss with oil and Italian seasoning until evenly coated. Spread in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 14 to 18 minutes until golden and crisp.
- 4. Remove from heat and cool completely before storing it in an airtight container.
Chipotle Caesar Dressing
- 6 tablespoons Caesar dressing
- 2 ¼ teaspoons chipotle pepper adobo sauce
- ⅓ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 1. In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Chef Tips:
- Easy roasted corn: Toss fresh or frozen corn with a little oil and roast in a preheated 450 degrees Fahrenheit oven for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring once, until lightly charred.
- No cannellini beans? Try chickpeas, butter beans, or Great Northern beans for a similar creamy texture.
- Short on time? Use rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken instead of cooking from scratch.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Grill the chicken, roast the corn, and prepare the dressing up to 3 days in advance. Store separately in the refrigerator and assemble just before serving.
- Family-style option: Arrange all toppings on a large platter or bowl and let everyone build their own salad.