Crispy Chicken & Bacon Caesar Salad
August 31, 2020
Recipe:Β Crispy Chicken & Bacon Caesar Salad
Author:Β Allie,Β Hamama Happiness Team Member
Prep Time:Β Β 15 Minutes
Cook Time:Β Β 20 Minutes
Makes:Β OneΒ Large Dinner Salad for 2
This kicked-up Caesar salad rivals any restaurant version! The crispy breaded chicken, smokey bacon, peppery arugula, nutty parmesan/asiago cheese, and bright lemon zest is a winning combination!Β
Tip: Make it dairy-free by swapping the cheese with nutritional yeast and making a homemade tahini βcaesarβ dressing (recipe below)!Β
Other great add-ins: hard boiled egg slices, fresh avocado chunks, or charred corn!Β
Ingredients:
- 2 small chicken breasts, butterfliedΒ
- Β½ cup of olive oilΒ
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 TBSP Italian Seasoning (I used Trader Joe's 21 Seasoning Salute)
-
1 Cup of Panko Breadcrumbs (I used a Gluten Free version here)Β
- Sale & Pepper to tasteΒ
- 4 strips of bacon, cooked & roughly chopped
- 5 ounces of Romaine Lettuce, chopped
- Big handful of fresh arugula
- Big handful of Hamama microgreens (I used Zesty & Super Salad Mixes here)Β
- 5 cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
- ΒΌ cup of thinly sliced red onionΒ
- Β½ cup of carrot shreds
- Freshly shaved parmesan or asiago cheese
-
Bhuja Seasoned Crunchy Peas (can sub your favorite croutons)
- Zest of 1 lemon, dividedΒ
- Your favorite Caesar dressing, or this dairy-free tahini caesar dressing!
Dairy-free Homemade Tahini Caesar Dressing:Β
- 1/3 cup drippy tahini
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
- 2 tsp capers (green olives or anchovies can be used as a substitute!)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 - 1/3 cup water
In a blender or food processor, combine all of the dressing ingredients and mix. Start with adding 1/4 cup water and gradually add more until desired consistency is achieved.
Instructions:Β
- Cook your bacon and set aside.
- Bread your butterflied (or thinly sliced) chicken breasts: Set one bowl out with olive oil, minced garlic, and Β½ of the lemon zest. Fill another bowl with breadcrumbs, seasoning, salt and pepper. Dredge each piece of chicken in the olive oil mixer (making sure to get all of the lemony/garlic goodness) then coat both sides in the breadcrumb mixture. Do this one-by-one until all of your chicken is breaded. Place on a baking sheet with parchment paper and bake at 400 degrees until fully cooked, about 15 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through.Β
- While the chicken is baking, toss the salad ingredients together, but hold off on the dressing until ready to serve.
- Β Let the chicken cool for 5 minutes then cut into slices and lay over the salad. Add crumbled bacon, the remaining lemon zest, and dressing to taste.
- Divide salad into 2 big bowls & serve!
*If you haveΒ extra chicken, it is great leftover on top of pasta! :DΒ

Enjoy!
Β
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