How Many Calories in a Chicken Caesar Salad?

You're probably considering healthier dining options. And what's healthier than a salad? Salads are filled with low-cal veggies and they're usually low in carbs and fat. There's only one problem though -- while most of the ingredients in a salad are healthy, there's one important one that usually not: The dressing.

But will salads really do that much damage to your diet? They very well could if you don't choose wisely. Let's put our diet detective skills to work and figure out the facts on one of my favourite salads: The Chicken Caesar Salad.

What do you think? How Many Calories in a Chicken Caesar Salad from the Old Spaghetti Factory?

1. 445 cal
2. 720 cal
3. 990 cal
4. 1054 cal

The answer is 990 calories, 76g of fat, 30g of carbs and to top it all off, 2410mg of sodium. Ouch! That's one of the worst meals you can possibly order -- and you thought you were doing yourself a favour by avoiding the pasta! Even the fettuccine Alfredo is a healthier choice, and that's not saying a whole lot.

Some better options? Order the side salad instead of the full dinner one, and start off which a bowl of minestrone soup (120 calories.) Better yet? Go for the garden salad with a fat-free dressing. Eating at home? Make your own 'healthy' Casesar salad.

Easy Recipes for Students, Chicken Caesar Salad

The classic American dish that is, the Chicken Caesar Salad, has become a regular on many a menu, be it at home or in the restaurants, that never seems to wear out its welcome. Its sophisticated taste and appearance make it a must for anyone trying to impress, especially if on a limited budget, such as a student. Parents of students can rest easy if they know their offspring have this one under their belt, the combination of the salad and the chicken make for a lean and healthy meal, that still has the depth to satisfy any apatite.

Not just for the student, the Chicken Caesar Salad is great for any occasion, its’ simple ingredients mean that whether your cooking for a family, or for one, it is easy and inexpensive to make. The striking tastes and appearance means that if you’re cooking for two, then whomever you deem lucky enough is not going to be disappointed.

The versatility of the Chicken Caesar Salad means that it doesn’t have to be a main dish; a smaller portion can be made as a starter for a main meal. Variations of the dish mean that you can remove the chicken and have a delicious side salad, or you can add other ingredients such as crispy bacon for an interesting variation. You could try what some might describe as the authentic Caesar Salad, with anchovies and topped with a poached egg.

Chicken Caesar Salad 

For Chicken Caesar Salad for two you will need.

Equipment

• Chopping board and knife for preparation
• Large mixing/salad bowl
• Large frying pan/skillet
• Tongs
• Small mixing bowl
• Garlic crusher
• Baking tray
• Fork
• Cheese grater
• Vegetable peeler
• Salad spoon and fork

Ingredients

For the salad

• Olive oil
• 1 Cos lettuce, you can use romaine lettuce or even baby gem but traditionally it is cos
• 4 slices white bread
• Fresh parmesan cheese
• 1 large chicken breast or two average size, depending on your apatite
• 3 – 4 good tablespoons of Caesar dressing
• Sun blushed tomatoes, these are optional but I think really go well with, and compliment the salad
• Salt and pepper

For the dressing

• 1 cloves of garlic
• 2 anchovies from a tin
• Fresh parmesan, if you buy a normal sized chunk from the market you will have enough for both this and the salad and will still have some left over
• 5 tbsp’s mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp white wine vinegar

Method

1. Pre heat the oven to around 190 degrees.
2. Either tear or slice your bread into reasonably large pieces. (tearing gives a more rustic appearance)
3. Place the bread on the baking tray and using some of the oil, drizzle over the bread giving it a light coating.
4. Place in the oven for around ten minutes; keep an eye on it and using the tongs turn occasionally.
5. Place the pan/skillet on a medium to high heat and add a little oil.
6. When the oil is hot add your chicken to the pan and season to taste if you wish.
7. Cook the chicken for around ten minutes turning once.
8. Whilst the chicken and the bread is cooking, again depending on how you wish your salad to appear, rustic or a bit neater, either tear your cos lettuce, or slice into strips and place in the large bowl.
9. Add your sun blushed tomatoes if you’re using them.
10. Season to taste.
11. To make the dressing, beat the garlic with the back of the knife, skin it then place it in the crusher.
12. Mash the anchovies with a fork against the side of the small bowl.
13. Grate a small handful of the parmesan into the bowl.
14. Now crush the garlic into the bowl and add the mayonnaise and the vinegar.
15. Mix well, you should recognise the consistency of Caesar dressing, or it is comparatively the same as yogurt.
16. Once your bread has cooked through remove from the oven and allow to cool, whilst the chicken cooks through.
17. Once the chicken is cooked, again you can pull the chicken apart to get that rustic look, or slice into strips with your knife.
18. Add the croutons, (bread) and the chicken to the bowl and mix the ingredients together.
19. Serve the salad with the salad spoon and fork on a suitable dish.
20. Once you have served the salad take a spoon and liberally spoon some of the dressing over the salad.
21. Take the vegetable peeler and use it to take strips from the parmesan on to the salad.

Your Chicken Caesar Salad is ready, you may have noticed that I have tried to convey two different styles of presentation, both the rustic and the more precise appearance, I prefer the rustic appeal but, both still taste absolutely delicious. Bon apétit.