Skinny Chicken and Avocado Caesar Salad
My favourite salad of all time. Caesar Salad. But, my least favourite at the same time…because hello fat grams I’ll wish I didn’t have after I had it.
But now, I can. I can enjoy my favourite salad of all time, with a dressing that’s less than half the fat — and then add in some more food, and enjoy this as a meal. A salad that doesn’t leave you hungry waiting for more. Full of protein. Full of healthy fats. Just full of good for you stuff.
This dressing… inspired by the dressing I made for that Barbecued Seafood Salad…I wanted something with a Greek Yogurt base. So I found one…thank you Mr Jamie Oliver, and adapted it to our tastes, to make this one.
My family is not so keen on anchovies…so I made two variations. One with (HOMG so good!), and one without — using olives instead, and equally as good. I prefer the anchovies, personally, but not every one is a fan. Hello non-fans…this ones for you too!
The way this recipe goes: fry some bacon and chicken boobs…I mean breasts *ahem; whisk your dressing ingredients; prepare your bread for super crustiness; boil your eggs; slice your avocados and wash your salad leaves.
Easy right?
Serve with dressing, and slap it out of your taste testers hands because they’ll want to drink it like it’s vodka…or something. And there you have it people. A healthier version of Caesar Salad that we can actually enjoy without raiding the fridge at midnight.
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Weight Watchers: 14pp per serve!
- 1/2 ciabatta loaf (120g | 4oz), sliced
- 2 whole Chicken Breast fillets (about 500g | 1lbs), skinless and boneless, halved horizontally to make 4 fillets
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
- Pinch of salt
- 200 g | 7oz shortcut bacon , cut into strips
- 2 eggs , boiled to your liking (soft of hard boiled), sliced
- 2 baby cos lettuce , washed and dried
- 1 Avocado , sliced
- 1/2 cup shaved parmesan cheese
- 2/3 cup greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves , crushed
- 2 anchovy fillets , finely chopped (or sub with 2 tablespoons black pitted olives, chopped finely and 1 teaspoon fish sauce)
- Juice of 1/2 a lemon
- 3 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper for seasoning
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Preheat the oven to grill/broil settings on medium - high heat. Place the bread slices onto an oven tray; drizzle with olive oil and bake in the oven (on middle shelf) until crispy. While bread is grilling, prepare chicken:
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Rub the chicken breast with the garlic powder, parsley flakes and salt. Heat a non stick grilling pan/skillet with a drizzle of olive oil and fry chicken until golden on both sides. Remove the chicken and set aside onto a warm plate. Add the bacon strips to the same pan, and fry until golden and crispy. While the bacon is frying, boil your eggs to your liking (and don't forget to check your bread in the oven)!
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Combine yogurt, oil, garlic, anchovies, lemon juice and parmesan. Whisk until well combined; add salt and pepper to your tastes, and whisk again. Taste test.
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Combine lettuce with the chicken and bacon strips; eggs (halved); avocado slices; shaved parmesan cheese; and bread pieces (halved). Pour over the dressing; mix well to combine, and serve!
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Karina says
AWE you are totally welcome doll! I am so glad that you loved it!
Anna says
Just finished the salad and it was sooo delicious. Thank you so much
Briana Klingaman says
We made this salad last night and it was delicious! The dressing was even better the next day!
Danielle Farry says
Hiya
Is the nutritional facts per serve or for the whole salad.
Ps I love this salad
Thanks Danielle
Andrea says
I’m in love with this dressing. I like mine more flavorful, so I cut the yogurt by a third. I never have anchovies on hand but used anchovie paste instead (1 tsp = 1 anchovie), the anchovie flavor is a must have for this to taste right! To the garlic powder, I add half again as much onion powder for a little extra flavor on the chicken. I also prefer to get the Caesar salad croutons from the store, but I am definitely going to try the home made version soon! Thank you for this, it quickly became a staple in my salad rotation!
Bianca says
FYI I never comment on the recipes I cook. This is a first but I absolutely had too! This is my family’s favorite salad! We have it a few times a month. I do things a little different though. First off I skip the whole baking bread thing and buy $1 croutons. Then I skip out on the bacon because that is to expensive, so I add an extra boiled egg instead. Then I use the cheap Parmesan cheese (imitation maybe) and use the fish sauce as recommended plus I use romain lettuce. This recipe changed my view on salads!
Mary Kate says
This was delicious and filling! I used black olive instead of anchovy and loved the way the dressing turned out!
Ana Lorenzo says
Looks amazing! True it is high in fat, and I may reduce the amount of bacon. However, the avocados, eggs, and greek yogurt are fantastic choices! Can’t wait to try it. Karina, many blessings to you on your life journey.
Jean says
Delicious! Made last night with a few modifications – dressing was a little thick so I used the juice of the entire lemon and swapped out the shortcut bacon for turkey bacon. Added one extra anchovy filet too! Leftovers held up great for lunch today too!
Karina says
That’s so awesome Emi!
Emi says
Just made this with lime juice as I couldn’t find lemons, it tastes so authentic! Added shrimp too. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Karina says
Yes
LaQuita says
Do you use plain Greek yogurt?
Karina says
Hi Susan! Hmmm not sure why BUT you can add a small amount of water or oil to thin it out 🙂
Susan says
Love this salad but my dressing is way thicker than yours. Please help!
Karina says
Hi Val! You can leave it out entirely with any substitutions.
Val says
Can you substitute the fish sauce? Salad looks amazing but don’t do fish of any kind.
Elizabeth Tierney says
Hi Karina! This recipe looks delicious, but I’m curious…how many anchovies do you recommend?
Thanks!!
Karina says
You’re welcome Stephanie! I’m so happy to read this! And I hope you liked the Cilantro Lime Salad too!
stephanie says
I made this salad last week and it was fantastic! This salad is going to be made a number of times this summer. Tonight I’m making the Cilantro Lime Chicken salad. Thank You.
Karina says
You’re welcome Stacey!
Stacey says
This is fabulous!!! Thanks for posting.
Karina says
I hope you like them Lucy 🙂
Lucy says
Your recipes all look so yummy and appetizing, going to start trying them right away
Karina says
Pat that’s a great idea too! I never thought of capers! Thank you for adding your comment. I’m sure others will find it helpful if looking for a substitution 🙂
Pat says
Capers would be great instead of the fish sauce or anchovies. I would think so anyway. I love the large capers and only rinse them slightly
azam ali says
Chef azam so good salad
Karina says
Mmmm, you could always just leave them out altogether Lisa 🙂 They add a salty flavour to the dressing, so maybe season with a little extra salt! Some have substituted with Thai Fish Sauce, though I haven’t tried that myself 😉
Lisa says
I love this recipe. But I have one problem………..I hate anchovies and olives. What would you suggest I used instead?
Ashlyn ~ Dollop of Yum says
Caesar Salad is a personal favorite of mine but sadly, many versions are loaded with calories. I was so excited when I found your recipe for a lighter caesar salad! I featured it in my latest post, “Kick Start The New Year #3: 15 Healthy Lunches”!
Karina says
Thank you Shannon! And your post is amazing! Thank you for sharing this with your readers!
Shannon Gilkey says
This recipe looks phenomenal! I will definately be trying that dressing. I found this on Pinterest and featured it as one of my “pins of the week” this week. Just wanted to let you know!
Thanks for sharing!
Shannon
https://shannonmgilkey.wordpress.com/2015/10/16/pins-of-the-week-101615/
Karina says
That’s awesome Han!
Karina says
Ohhhh nooo! I can understand the ‘crys’ feeling! This salad is actually great without the additional avocado. I guess you could try substituting with mashed chickpeas; pumpkin or sweet potatoes for the creamy texture?
hannah says
I am allergic for avocado *crys* but what can I use instead ?!
Han says
Made this yesterday and it was delicious!! Will definitely be making it again 🙂
Karina says
Thank you Elena! I’m glad you agree! Great minds 😉 Xx
Elena Shetty says
Chicken and avocado salad, couple perfect. I have a weakness when it comes to avocado. This is amazing. I’m in love with it!
Karina says
Thank you beautiful girl! Lots of love to you! Xx
Karina says
I hear you! Go the anchovies! Thank you for coming by! Xx
Karina says
Aw you’re very welcome! I’m so happy you stopped by and commented! Thank you Xx Enjoy your week!
Ify says
Looks delicious and completely satisfying Karina! Looking forward to having this for lunch some time this week! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Kathleen | HapaNom says
Wonderful looking salad! I’d be all for anchovies in mine, please 🙂
Girl and the Kitchen says
Karina…this is gorgeous and undoubtfully delicious!!! I love using Greek yogurt in my recipes! Pinned!