Chicken Caesar Pasta-less Bowl (Printable)

Grilled chicken with crisp romaine, creamy dressing, and crunchy toppings for a hearty low-carb bowl.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1.1 pounds)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
05 - ½ teaspoon salt
06 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Salad Base

07 - 2 large heads romaine lettuce, chopped
08 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
09 - 1 small cucumber, diced
10 - ½ red onion, thinly sliced
11 - ½ cup shaved Parmesan cheese

→ Toppings

12 - ½ cup roasted chickpeas or gluten-free croutons (optional)
13 - ¼ cup toasted pine nuts (optional)
14 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Caesar Dressing

15 - ⅓ cup mayonnaise
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
17 - 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
18 - 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
19 - 2 anchovy fillets, mashed or 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
20 - 1 garlic clove, finely minced
21 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
22 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
23 - 2 tablespoons water (to thin dressing as needed)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
02 - Rub the chicken breasts evenly with olive oil, garlic powder, dried Italian herbs, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Grill the chicken breasts for 6 to 7 minutes per side until fully cooked and juices run clear. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, anchovies, minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper until smooth. Add water gradually to reach desired consistency.
05 - In a large bowl, combine chopped romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, and sliced red onion. Toss with half of the prepared dressing to coat evenly.
06 - Divide the salad mixture evenly among four bowls. Top each with sliced grilled chicken, shaved Parmesan cheese, roasted chickpeas or gluten-free croutons, and toasted pine nuts if using.
07 - Drizzle the remaining dressing over each bowl and finish with freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Grilled chicken comes together in under 20 minutes, making weeknight dinners feel less rushed.
  • That creamy Caesar dressing is restaurant-quality but tastes infinitely better when you make it at home.
  • It's naturally high-protein and low-carb without tasting like you're sacrificing anything.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting time for the chicken—it's the difference between juicy slices and dry, shredded meat falling apart in your bowl.
  • Make the dressing fresh each time; it tastes completely different when you know exactly what's in it, and it keeps for a few days if you want to meal prep.
03 -
  • Make extra dressing and keep it on hand—it's delicious on simple green salads, grilled vegetables, or even as a sandwich spread.
  • If your grill isn't available, a cast-iron skillet heated over medium-high heat creates equally beautiful sear marks and keeps the chicken just as juicy.
Return