Recipe: Whole Roast Chicken Caesar Salad
This is our way of reimagining the chicken Caesar salad — a cozy spin on a classic that’s here to stay. From the romaine and the chicken, to the croutons and the dressing, it has all the components you love and expect. The greens and chicken are roasted in the same pan, with drippings whisked into a rich dressing.
Caesar flavor comes through in both the roast chicken and the dressing that garnishes the salad. When prepping the chicken, don’t forget to rub a few spoonfuls of creamy dressing between the skin and flesh of the bird. It’s a small step, but one that has big results, as the flavors seep into the meat and skin.
Arguably the most important part of the meal is what lies in the bottom of the roasting pan — the drippings from the chicken. They are the makings of the most savory and luxurious Caesar dressing you may ever taste, which ties the whole meal together.
Whole Roast Chicken Caesar Salad
Serves 4 to 6
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 1
(3- to 4-pound) whole chicken
- 3 tablespoons
creamy Caesar dressing
- 1 tablespoon
olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon
kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon
freshly ground black pepper
- 4
medium romaine lettuce hearts, chopped
For the dressing:
- 2 tablespoons
lemon juice
- 1 clove
garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons
anchovy paste
- 1 teaspoon
Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup
shaved Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup
croutons
Instructions
Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 400°F.
Remove the giblets from the cavity of the chicken. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Blot inside the body cavity as well, getting the chicken as dry as you can, inside and out. Use your fingers to gently lift the skin away from the flesh of the chicken, around the breasts and legs. Rub 2 tablespoons of the dressing under the skin, then rub the remaining 1 tablespoon inside the cavity. Rub the oil all over the outside of the chicken, then sprinkle with the salt and pepper.
Place the romaine in an even layer in a roasting pan. Place a roasting rack on top of the lettuce, then place the chicken, breast-side up, on the rack. Roast until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh not touching bone registers 165°F, about 50 to 60 minutes.
Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, remove the roasting rack, then use tongs to transfer the lettuce to a large bowl; set aside. Pour the drippings from the pan into a separate medium bowl. Add the lemon juice, garlic, anchovy paste, and Dijon mustard, and whisk to combine; set aside.
Carve the chicken: Use a sharp knife to cut away the wings and the legs from the chicken. Cut the legs at the middle joint to separate the drumsticks and thighs. Carve off the chicken breasts and cut crosswise into thick slices.
Add the dressing to the lettuce and toss to combine. Transfer to a platter or large plate. Top with the Parmesan cheese and croutons. Arrange the chicken pieces on top of the salad and serve warm.
Stylist Credits
- Food styling by Barrett Washburne