This dairy free caesar salad uses romaine lettuce, homemade croutons, gluten free chicken tenders and either store bought or homemade caesar dressing. To keep it dairy free, make sure the store bought version is dairy free or vegan. To save time you can also use store bought gluten free chicken tenders instead of making your own cutlets from scratch.
Whether you’re gluten-free, watching your fat intake, or avoiding dairy, this Dairy Free Caesar Salad recipe easily adapts to your needs without sacrificing flavor or ease. So customize this Caesar salad in any way that’s good for you! This recipe is gluten free, dairy free and nut free.
why you’ll love this recipe
- Shortcut chicken: Using pre-made tenders saves chopping time in this Dairy Free Caesar Salad recipe. Swap in grilled protein or chickpeas for variety.
- Speedy croutons: Bake the croutons while you mix the dressing!
- No-fuss dressing: Blend it up and go, no fancy equipment needed.
- Toss & enjoy: This salad takes 2 minutes to assemble!
- Bowl to plate: Salad bowl becomes your serving dish, one less pan to wash.
- Fast & fresh: Less hangry time after work, more family time.
- Double up: Meal prep lunches with minimal effort, enjoy all week.
- Save time: use a store bought salad dressing
ingredients & substitutions
Store-bought gluten-free chicken tenders: Skip the cooking with pre-made tenders, or swap in grilled chicken, shrimp, or even chickpeas for a plant-based option.
Romaine lettuce: Chopped romaine forms the base, but leafy greens like kale or spinach can join the party too in this Dairy Free Caesar Salad.
Gluten-free bread cubes: Cubes of any bread you have on hand can become croutons, just choose gluten-free for dietary needs.
Olive oil: Avocado oil adds its healthy fats to the dressing, but any neutral oil will work.
Dressing: you can make your own or save time by buying a store bought dairy free caesar salad dressing.
taste & texture
Crisp romaine gives a satisfying crunch, while juicy chicken adds savory bites to this Dairy Free Caesar Salad. Tangy dressing coats everything in creamy lemony goodness, with a hint of garlic and parmesan. Croutons bring salty pops of texture, shattering into buttery crumbs with each bite. It’s a fresh and flavorful mix, light but satisfying, perfect for a quick and delicious weeknight meal.
directions
Step 1
Make the croutons: In a bowl, toss the bread cubes with olive oil and garlic seasoning. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
Step 2
Make the dressing: In a blender or food processor, combine all dressing ingredients until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Step 3
Assemble the Dairy Free Caesar Salad: In a large bowl, toss together the romaine lettuce, chicken tenders, and croutons.
expert tips & tricks
- For a spicier dressing, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- To make this Dairy Free Caesar Salad ahead of time, prepare the dressing and croutons ahead of time.
- Store them in the refrigerator until ready to assemble the salad.
- You can also use grilled chicken or shrimp instead of chicken tenders.
how to make this low fat or healthier
Craving a lighter Caesar? Swap the regular mayonnaise in the dressing for a low-fat version or even Greek yogurt for a tangy twist. Your taste buds won’t miss the extra fat, and your waistline will thank you. Remember, you can also skip the chicken tenders for a completely vegetarian or vegan Dairy Free Caesar Salad that’s naturally lower in fat.
how to make this vegan
Use a Dairy-free alternatives like cashew parmesan or nutritional yeast can sprinkle that cheesy goodness onto your salad without the dairy. Skip the chicken or use vegan chick’n. Don’t forget to check the mayo label too – plenty of plant-based versions exist to keep your Caesar dairy-free and delicious.
how to serve, store and meal prep
Serving the Dairy Free Caesar Salad is simple! Toss everything together in a bowl, drizzle with dressing, and enjoy.
Leftover Dairy Free Caesar Salad? Store the dressed salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
For a Dairy Free Caesar Salad meal prep, keep the dressing and croutons separate. Assemble individual salads when needed, or pre-chop lettuce and store with the dressing (without croutons) for up to 3 days. Add fresh croutons and chicken when ready for a quick, grab-and-go lunch!
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Dairy Free Caesar Salad
Ingredients
For the crutons
- 2 slices gluten-free bread torn into cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoons garlic and herb seasoning
For the dressing:
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise or vegan mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup avocado oil
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese dairy-free
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 sardines Optional
For the salad:
- 1 head romaine lettuce chopped
- 3-4 gluten-free chicken tenders cooked and chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Make the croutons: In a bowl, toss the bread cubes with olive oil and garlic seasoning. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Make the dressing: In a blender or food processor, combine all dressing ingredients until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, toss together the romaine lettuce, chicken tenders, and croutons.
- Drizzle with the dressing and toss to coat.
Notes
If you don’t have a blender or food processor, you can finely chop the sardines and garlic and whisk them into the dressing with the other ingredients.
To make this salad ahead of time, prepare the dressing and croutons ahead of time. Store them in the refrigerator until ready to assemble the salad.
You can also use grilled chicken or shrimp instead of chicken tenders.
In the comments, you mention if you don’t have a food processor, you can finely chop sardines. Sa3dines are not listed in the ingredients.
My apologies! The Sardines are optional. I have edited the recipe to include this! 🙂