Keto Low Carb Chicken Caesar Salad
A streamlined Caesar salad featuring homemade Parmesan crisps and creamy anchovy-spiked dressing coating tender diced chicken. This low-carb version skips croutons entirely, letting crispy cheese shards provide textural contrast. Perfect for lunch or light dinner when you want restaurant-quality flavors without the carb load. The broiled Parmesan adds sophisticated crunch that simple ingredients into something special.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Preheat broiler to high.
- 2
Sprinkle shredded Parmesan into six small puddles on a silicone mat-lined baking sheet.
- 3
Broil until melted, bubbly, and browning at edges.
- 4
Cool completely, then drain excess fat on paper towel.
- 5
Whisk together mayonnaise, anchovy paste, and Worcestershire sauce.
- 6
Fold cooked chicken into dressing.
- 7
Arrange lettuce on plate.
- 8
Top with chicken mixture and Parmesan crisps.
- 9
Season with black pepper.
Tips
Watch Parmesan crisps closely; they go from perfectly browned to burnt quickly. Start checking after 2 minutes.
Don't skip cooling the crisps on paper towel; it removes grease and helps them set crunchier.
Good to Know
Parmesan crisps keep in airtight container 3 days. Dressing stores 5 days refrigerated. Assemble just before serving to maintain crispness.
Make Parmesan crisps up to 2 days ahead. Prepare dressing and cook chicken the morning of serving. Assemble at mealtime.
Serve immediately after assembly. Pairs well with sparkling water, dry white wine, or iced tea.
Common Mistakes
Use parchment paper instead of silicone mat to avoid crisps sticking.
Don't oversalt; Parmesan, anchovy, and Worcestershire already contribute significant sodium.
Use room-temperature or slightly cooled chicken; hot chicken will wilt lettuce.
Substitutions
FAQ
Can I make this ahead of time?
Parmesan crisps hold 2-3 days in an airtight container. Make dressing and cook chicken same-day, but don't assemble until serving to keep lettuce crisp and crisps crunchy.
What if I don't have anchovy paste?
Use 1/2 teaspoon fish sauce, or omit entirely for a simpler dressing. You'll lose some umami depth but the salad remains satisfying.
How do I keep Parmesan crisps from burning?
Watch constantly during broiling. Cheese browns fast; check at 2-3 minutes. Remove when edges brown but centers still bubble slightly.