Garlic Chicken Caesar Salad

Homemade dressing.

Homemade croutons.

Sooooo much garlic-y goodness.

According to Myfitnesspal, one gigantic serving of this deliciousness is 458 calories, 29 carbs, 27 fat, and 32 protein. Trust me when I say one serving is more than enough for a dinner. 

Just a little warning about eating this though.... make sure anyone you are going to be around also eats some. That way, everyone will have garlic breath and you won't be self conscious about it. 

Because there will be garlic breath happening.

Garlic Chicken Caesar Salad

Ingredients

Dressing

3 Tbsp light mayo

3 Tbsp olive oil

1 Tbsp vinegar

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

pinch black pepper

3 - 4 cloves garlic, minced

milk to thin (about 2 - 3 Tbsp)

Croutons

1 Portuguese dinner bun (or other large, crusty bun)

2 Tbsp butter, melted

2 cloves garlic, minced

pinch garlic powder

pinch onion powder

salt & pepper

pinch dried chives

Salad

1 large head romaine lettuce, washed & torn into bite size pieces

2 small chicken breasts, boneless/skinless

salt & pepper

extra Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions

Prepare dressing - in a small dish, whisk together mayo, oil, vinegar, cheese, pepper, and garlic until well combined. Add in milk, 1 Tbsp at a time, and whisk until desired consistency is reached. *Note* it should be quite thick.

Cover dressing and refrigerate  until ready to use. (Let chill at least several hours so flavors can mingle.)

Prepare croutons - Preheat oven to 250.

Cube up the bun into small crouton-size cubes. Set aside.

In a medium mixing bowl, stir together melted butter, garlic, and spices. 

Add cubed bun to bowl and toss well to coat.

Spread out on a cookie sheet and bake for about 30 or so minutes, stirring at the half way mark.

Shut off heat and let croutons sit in oven until they are dried out. Set aside until ready to use. (I let mine sit in the oven until I made the salad.)

Season chicken breasts with salt & pepper. Cut chicken breasts into strips. Cook as per your favorite method. I grilled mine.

Assemble salad - In a large bowl, toss the lettuce with 1/3 of the dressing until well coated.

Split the lettuce between 2 serving bowls or plates. 

Top each plate with 1/2 of the croutons, half of the grilled chicken, and a little extra Parmesan cheese (if desired). Drizzle a little bit more of the dressing on top of the chicken.

Serve immediately.

The garlic croutons are crazy good. 

As is the dressing. So garlic-y and cheesy. 

Dinner...pardon me....HUGE dinner, for 458 calories. Maybe a few more calories than "the usual" salads BUT it is worth it. 

You will have 2/3rds of the dressing leftover to make more salads with. It keeps, covered, in the fridge for several days. You may just have to whisk in a bit more milk before making another salad. 

We're sharing at these fun linky parties - Ms. enPlace, The Chicken Chick, The Mandatory Mooch, Carole's Chatter .