This Caesar Chicken recipe is your new weeknight favorite, delivering a juicy, flavor-packed meal that’s incredibly easy to make. Forget dry, boring chicken; we’re marinating tender chicken breasts in a creamy, tangy Caesar dressing, then cooking them to golden-brown perfection. It’s all the classic salad flavors you love, transformed into a versatile main course.
Whether you’re grilling, baking, or pan-searing, this guide will show you how to get the most delicious results every single time. Get ready to impress your family with a restaurant-quality dish that’s simple enough for any home cook.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Caesar Chicken
If you’re looking for a recipe that’s big on flavor but low on effort, you’ve found it. This dish is a game-changer for busy evenings.
Incredibly Flavorful: The homemade Caesar dressing acts as a powerful marinade, infusing the chicken with garlic, parmesan, and a zesty lemon tang.
Super Juicy: Marinating not only adds flavor but also tenderizes the chicken, ensuring every bite is moist and delicious.
Versatile Main: Serve it sliced over a classic Caesar salad, shred it for sandwiches and wraps, or pair it with your favorite sides. For another great versatile option, try this Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken.
Quick & Easy: With minimal prep and a straightforward cooking process, you can have this amazing Caesar Chicken on the table in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
We’ll break this down into two simple parts: the chicken and the quick homemade dressing. Using fresh ingredients is key to the vibrant flavor.
For the Chicken
Chicken Breasts: 4 medium-sized (about 1.5 lbs), boneless and skinless.
Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon, for cooking.
Salt & Black Pepper: To taste.
For the Homemade Caesar Dressing (and Marinade)
Greek Yogurt or Mayonnaise: 1/2 cup, for a creamy base.
Grated Parmesan Cheese: 1/4 cup, plus more for garnish.
Lemon Juice: 2 tablespoons, freshly squeezed.
Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons, extra virgin.
Dijon Mustard: 1 tablespoon.
Garlic: 2 cloves, minced.
Anchovy Paste (Optional): 1 teaspoon, for that classic umami flavor. You can omit it if you prefer.
Worcestershire Sauce: 1 teaspoon.
Water: 1-2 tablespoons, to thin the dressing to your desired consistency.
How to Make The Best Caesar Chicken (Step-by-Step)
Follow these simple steps for a perfect meal. We’ll marinate the chicken first to lock in all that delicious flavor before cooking.
Enjoy this versatile chicken over a salad, in a sandwich, or with your favorite roasted vegetables.
Step 1: Make the Creamy Caesar Dressing
In a medium bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt (or mayo), grated Parmesan, lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, anchovy paste (if using), and Worcestershire sauce. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water until the dressing reaches a thick but pourable consistency. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken
Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish or a zip-top bag. Pour about half of the Caesar dressing over the chicken, making sure to coat it completely. Reserve the other half of the dressing for serving. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator for maximum flavor.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
You can grill, pan-sear, or bake the chicken. For the stovetop, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The chicken should be golden brown and cooked through.
Step 4: Rest and Serve
Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This is crucial for keeping it juicy! Slice the chicken against the grain and serve immediately with the reserved Caesar dressing drizzled on top or on the side for dipping.
Pro Tips for Perfect Results
Don’t Skip the Rest: Letting the chicken rest before slicing allows the juices to redistribute, guaranteeing a moist texture.
Even Thickness: For even cooking, you can gently pound the thicker end of the chicken breasts to a more uniform thickness.
Don’t Overcook: Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Pull the chicken off the heat as soon as it hits 165°F to prevent it from becoming dry.
Homemade Croutons: For an extra special touch, make your own garlic croutons to serve alongside the chicken. They are perfect for soaking up any extra dressing.
Golden-brown perfection! The secret to our Caesar Chicken is getting that perfect sear.
Delicious Serving Suggestions
This Caesar Chicken is fantastic on its own, but it truly shines when incorporated into other dishes. If you love rich, savory chicken, you have to check out this incredible Cowboy Butter Chicken recipe.
Classic Caesar Salad: Serve sliced chicken over a bed of crisp romaine lettuce with croutons, extra Parmesan, and the reserved dressing.
Caesar Chicken Sandwich: Pile shredded or sliced chicken onto a toasted brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, and a smear of dressing.
Pasta Dish: Toss sliced chicken with cooked pasta and the remaining dressing for a quick and creamy Caesar chicken pasta.
Caesar chicken is incredibly versatile. It’s most famously served sliced over a classic Caesar salad. It’s also delicious with roasted potatoes, grilled asparagus, steamed broccoli, or tossed with your favorite pasta.
If you’re not a fan of anchovies, you can easily omit the anchovy paste from this recipe. To add a similar savory, umami depth, you can add a little extra Worcestershire sauce or a splash of soy sauce.
Properly stored in an airtight container, cooked Caesar chicken will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. It’s perfect for meal prep and enjoying in salads or sandwiches throughout the week.
Absolutely! To bake, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the marinated chicken on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
This version can be a healthy option. By using Greek yogurt for the dressing base, you increase the protein and lower the fat content compared to traditional mayonnaise-based dressings. It’s a high-protein main course that is low in carbs.
More Delicious Chicken Recipes To Try
If you enjoyed this easy recipe, you’re sure to love some of our other fan favorites. For a zesty and bright flavor profile, don’t miss our classic Lemon Garlic Chicken. And for a super simple slow cooker meal, this Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken is a must-try!
Share Your Masterpiece!
We are so excited for you to try this amazing Caesar Chicken recipe! It’s a dish that feels gourmet but is secretly simple, perfect for making any meal feel special. If you make it, we would love to see! Please share your creation on Pinterest and leave a comment below to let us know how it turned out. Your feedback helps our community of home cooks grow!
You won't believe how easy it is to make this juicy and flavorful Caesar Chicken at home!
Caesar Chicken Recipe
FL Recipes
Caesar Chicken: The Ultimate Juicy & Flavorful Recipe
This Caesar Chicken recipe delivers a juicy, flavor-packed meal that's incredibly easy to make. Marinated in a creamy, homemade Caesar dressing and cooked to perfection, it's a versatile dish perfect for salads, sandwiches, or as a main course.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, grated Parmesan, lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, anchovy paste (if using), and Worcestershire sauce. Add water until it reaches a thick but pourable consistency. Season with salt and pepper.
Place chicken breasts in a shallow dish. Pour half of the dressing over the chicken, coating it completely. Reserve the other half for serving. Marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature or up to 4 hours in the fridge.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing against the grain. Serve immediately with the reserved Caesar dressing.
Nutrition
Calories: 380kcalProtein: 40gFat: 22g
Notes
Don't Skip the Rest: Letting the chicken rest before slicing is crucial for a juicy texture. Even Thickness: Pound chicken breasts to a uniform thickness for even cooking. Don't Overcook: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F without drying out.
Keyword Caesar Chicken,Chicken Caesar,grilled chicken
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
