A Spatchcock Chicken Caesar Salad Everyone Will Love

posted by Teri Turner on Oct 8, 2024 (last updated 4/1/25) 0 comments »

Crispy homemade croutons and fresh greens in a delicious green salad with chicken and herbs.

I am beyond crazy about Caesar Salad with chicken, and this one is absolutely sublime. The creamy, tangy Caesar dressing and fresh, crisp greens along with some of the best croutons you’ll ever have make an utterly irresistible combination. This Caesar Salad features a wonderfully juicy, perfectly roasted chicken, and the delicious drippings are the secret to the croutons.

Table of Contents

A Lovely Thought from Teri

This is such a deliciously elevated, special version of a Caesar Salad with chicken—it’s the kind of dish I absolutely crave. I love it so much that I’ve created several spinoffs of caesar salad recipes. No matter what season it is, there’s simply nothing I enjoy eating more. You roast a whole chicken, then pull it apart for the salad’s protein. I saw the idea over @juliusroberts page and was inspired to make it. It’s quite simply one of my favorite meals of all time. You can adapt this dish according to the seasons. In the early spring, use asparagus, in May use French green beans, and in autumn it’s delicious with Brussels sprouts. If you love Caesar as much as I do, definitely try it in my Caesar Toast and my viral Caesar Wrap.

A finished piece of Teri's Caesar Salad Toast recipe.

Cooking the croutons in chicken fat creates absolute magic. Using larger croutons means that the croutons never fully dry out, but instead offer both a satisfying crunch and a pillow-y center full of rich, roasted flavor from the chicken drippings. These are quite frankly some of the best croutons I’ve ever had. This Caesar Salad’s combination of salty and crunchy, heavenly fat, and a creamy, zesty dressing is so compelling.

Roast chicken cooked to perfection on a baking sheet with crispy, golden skin.

a close up photo of croutons for caesar salad

I wholeheartedly recommend that you make an extra batch of croutons, because you likely won’t be able to stop eating these croutons while you’re making the salad. For entertaining a group, knowing how to properly roast a chicken will help you create consistently fabulous meals. A perfectly roasted, super juicy chicken will be something you’ll want to enjoy weekly, so it’s a great thing to learn. And by the way, this dish is also lovely with a little whipped potato.

Ingredients

Caesar salad dressing
1 whole chicken, 4-5 pounds, spatchcocked. If you’re not feeling up to spatchcocking the chicken, ask your butcher to spatchcock it for you!
olive oil
Kosher salt
8 slices gluten-free or regular bread – if you are using regular bread, get a thicker loaf like sourdough and either cut it or tear it into larger pieces
French green beans
English peas
Baby romaine lettuce
Fresh basil or chives

Variations

If you have a grill, you could grill chicken on a grill pan instead! I love getting a crispy skin on the chicken from the grill, like this brick chicken recipe. The spatchcock chicken takes this dish to the next level, but if you need a shortcut, you could roast chicken breasts or chicken thighs instead. Sauteed shrimp or rotisserie chicken would be great for a weeknight version of this salad that you can whip up.

I find the combination of romaine, peas, green beans and herbs absolutely perfect. If you have other vegetables on hand, such as cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, or avocado. Crispy bacon would also be a fabulous addition to this caesar salad with chicken!

How to Make this Chicken Caesar Salad

Make the Homemade Caesar dressing

Using a mini food processor or immersion blender, start by blending an egg and slowly adding oil as you blend, pausing to let it incorporate. Continue to slowly add more oil to create the mayonnaise base. Then add the garlic clove and the anchovies and blend. Add the Dijon, the squeeze of lemon juice, parmesan, salt and pepper and blend well. Add more salt and pepper to taste. It is possible to whisk this by hand, but for the best texture, use your mini Cuisinart or immersion blender. Cover and place in the refrigerator.

Olive oil, mustard, egg, garlic, lemon, shrimp, grated cheese, black pepper, salt, and herbs on a metal tray for cooking.

dressing ingredients in a food processor

Make the Salad

Preheat your oven to 450F. Rub the olive oil all over the spatchcocked chicken, making sure to cover the front and back then sprinkle the salt evenly on both sides of the chicken.

Juvenile chicken on a baking sheet with olive oil, salt, and a small bowl of salt for cooking at No Crumbs Left.

Lay your chicken flat on a baking sheet and roast it in the oven for 55 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown, rotating halfway, and (if using a meat thermometer) the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F in the thickest part of the thigh. Take the sheet pan out of the oven and transfer the chicken onto a board to allow it to rest.

Cut your bread into large bite-sized pieces. On the same baking sheet, toss the bread cubes in the chicken drippings and add an additional tablespoon of olive oil (or more if necessary for the bread to be fully coated) and arrange the bread in a single layer.

Fresh homemade bread slices on a wooden cutting board, being sliced for a delicious meal.

Crunchy homemade garlic bread cubes on baking sheet. Perfect for side dishes or snacks.

Bake at 400 F for 10 to 15 minutes, but check on the croutons at 5 and 10 minutes to make sure they’re not burning. Stir and flip them if needed. Remove the baking sheet from the oven once the croutons are done.

a photo of croutons, spatchcock chicken, and greens ready for assembly

Bring a medium pot with water to boil and blanch the French green beans and peas for 3 minutes over medium heat then transfer to an ice bath to stop the cooking. Drain and dry the vegetables and set them aside.

Fresh chopped chives, green peas, and cut green beans for healthy, homemade vegetable dishes.

After the chicken has rested, cut off the chicken legs and wings and save them for another use. Remove the breast meat from the bone and cut each breast into ¾ inch thick slices. Cut each slice into 1-inch chunks and set aside.

Juicy roasted chicken thighs on a wooden cutting board, home-cooked comfort food.

Cooked shredded chicken on a wooden cutting board for recipes or meal prep, showcasing fresh, high-quality ingredients.

Add the romaine to a large bowl and salt the greens. Add the blanched vegetables, cubed chicken, herbs, and a half cup of the Caesar dressing and toss. Top with the croutons and serve!

Fresh green lettuce, peas, and chopped chives in a white bowl for healthy salads.

Light chicken salad with fresh greens, green beans, peas, and herbs on a white plate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I spatchcock a chicken?

It might seem a little intimidating but spatchcocking a chicken is not that hard! You begin by placing a chicken, breasts side down, on your work surface. Take a sharp pair of kitchen shears and cut along both sides of the backbone until you are able to remove and discard it. Flip the chicken over and press down on the chicken so that the chicken is flattened and open like a book. Your chicken is now spatchcocked and ready to be seasoned! If all else fails, go to your butcher and ask them to spatchcock for you!

Can I use a store-bought Caesar dressing?

Yes, of course! If there is a dressing you love, feel free to save yourself some time and go with store bought. I personally love to make my own dressing because I know it’ll be delicious and fresh and I can control the ingredients, but do whatever is best for you.

Can I make smaller croutons?

Sure you can, but I really recommend these large scale ones. These croutons are really magical mostly due to their size. Because these croutons are larger than normal, they are able to absorb so much more flavor from the drippings, and they crip up around the edges yet somehow manage to remain soft in the center. Magic!

If you make my Spatchcock Chicken Caesar Salad, please rate and review it below to let me know what you think! And if you’re looking for more fun, sign up for our Friday Favorites newsletter, and follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok!