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Panzanella Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe

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We’re taking a classic chicken caesar salad recipe and a panzanella salad recipe and combining them into one amazing salad that’s satisfying and full of flavor.

And did I mention the bread? I love panzanella salads because they take crusty and stale bread and turn ripe summer tomatoes and a hefty drizzle of olive oil into a salad you can’t stop eating.

So when it came time to make a caesar salad for the Weeknight Dinner Club…I knew what I needed to do!

And if you’re trying to get your kids to eat more salad? Always go panzanella!

What is Panzanella Salad?

Panzanella salad is a bread salad made of veggies and stale bread that is all soaked with a dressing of olive oil and vinegar.

This chicken panzanella salad recipe has a caesar twist to it. And we’re basically adding WAY more crunchy, homemade croutons to a classic chicken caesar salad recipe.

panzanella salad recipe with caesar dressing

Is Chicken Caesar Salad Healthy?

Yes, this chicken caesar salad recipe is healthy. And yes, I actually hate that question because I feel strongly that food is food is energy is food. No good, no bad, just food!

Chicken Caesar Salad Ingredients:

This easy chicken caesar salad recipe is made with just 13 ingredients (many of which are pantry and kitchen staples!):

  • Chicken breast – Can also use chicken thighs, salmon, or shrimp for this panzanella salad recipe.
  • Caesar salad dressing – This dressing isn’t for the salad, but is used as the chicken marinade for caesar salad.
  • Romaine lettuce – Crunchy and crisp, perfect for healthy chicken caesar salad.
  • Baguette – This is what turns chicken caesar salad into Italian panzanella salad! We’re taking the croutons up a notch and adding lots of bread to this salad.
  • Seasonings – Garlic, garlic powder, lemon juice, and dijon mustard all help to give flavor to the caesar dressing.
  • Oils – A mix of olive oil and canola oil. Using a mix of oils works well for Caesar dressing so that the olive oil isn’t to overpowering for the chicken caesar salad recipe.
  • Anchovies – A must for classic and traditional Caesar salad dressing. Even if you think you don’t like anchovies, the flavor can’t be beat for caesar dressing!
  • Egg yolk – This helps give the dressing body and emulsify (mix together) the dressing.
two plates of caesar panzanella salad

How to Make Chicken Caesar Salad

This easy panzanella salad recipe is made in a few simple steps:

  • Marinate chicken. Toss chicken breast with pre-made caesar salad dressing and marinate for 15-30 minutes.
  • Bake chicken. I recommend using a digital cooking thermometer to check your chicken so that you don’t overcook it!
  • Prep the remaining panzanella ingredients. Bake panzanella croutons. Wash and slice romaine lettuce. Whisk together caesar salad dressing ingredients until smooth.
  • Assemble best chicken caesar salad. Toss romaine lettuce in caesar dressing, top with chicken,
plate with classic chicken caesar salad recipe

How to Cook Chicken for Caesar Salad

There are a few options for how to cook chicken for caesar salad. I’ve included directions for baking, but you can also:

  • Grill chicken breasts for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
  • Saute chicken breasts over medium high heat for about 5 minutes per side, or until cooked through.

Caesar Panzanella Salad Recipe Nutrition + Substitutes:

If you want to swap out any of the ingredients and toppings, here are a few ways you can add even more nutrition into this meal. (Neither are traditional to caesar salad recipes, but are still tasty additions!)

  • Spinach – Add thinly sliced spinach for some extra green goodness.
  • Tomatoes – Top panzanella bread salad
    with halved grape tomatoes.
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two plates of caesar panzanella salad

Chicken Caesar Panzanella Salad

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  • Author: Emily Dingmann
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 60 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Bake
  • Cuisine: Italian

Description

We’re combining a classic chicken caesar salad recipe with a panzanella salad recipe for a delicious combo of caesar flavors and TONS of homemade croutons.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb. chicken breasts, skinless and boneless
  • 1/4 cup caesar salad dressing (not creamy)
  • 2 heads romaine lettuce
  • 1 baguette
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 1 Tbsp anchovy
  • paste pinch of salt
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 4 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1 tsp dijon mustard
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp. canola oil
  • grated parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 
  2. Toss chicken with caesar dressing and marinate for 15-30 minutes. 
  3. Line a baking dish with foil, or lightly grease so that the chicken doesn’t stick to the pan. Bake for about 25-35 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Cooking time will depend on the size. Let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. Slice 2-3 of the breasts for the salads and set the rest aside in the refrigerator for later in the week. 
  4. Meanwhile, prepare salad, croutons, and dressing. Wash and dry romaine lettuce. Thinly slice and divide between plates. 
  5. Make croutons. Tear bread into small pieces. Toss with olive oil and season with garlic powder. Bake for about 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown. 
  6. Mince garlic and anchovy so that it forms a paste. Add a pinch of salt and use the side of your knife to scrape this together so that you don’t have big chunks of garlic. Place into a jar. Add egg yolk, lemon juice, dijon, and oil to jar. Shake until emulsified. 
  7. Top romaine with chicken and croutons. Drizzle with dressing and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.


Notes

  • Get your kids involved! They can: pour the dressing over the chicken, sprinkle their salads with croutons and parmesan cheese.
  • If your kids don’t like food mixed, simply serve the salad components separately!
  • You can use a pasteurized egg for the dressing and make sure to store it in the fridge and eat within a day.
panzanella chicken caesar salad recipe - pinterest

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