Low Fat Chicken Caesar Salad Food

SKINNY CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Put the chicken breasts in a large bowl with the olive oil and 1 tbsp lemon juice, then season. Heat the grill to high. Put the chicken breasts on a foil-lined tray and cook under the grill for 10-12 mins until golden and cooked through, turning once during cooking. Transfer to a plate or board and slice.
• Arrange the lettuce, cress and eggs on a platter or serving plates and top with the cooked chicken. Mix together the Parmesan, chopped anchovies, yogurt and remaining lemon juice, season to taste and pour over the salad. Arrange the whole anchovy fillets on top of each salad.

LIGHT CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Make the croutons: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Toss the bread cubes in a large bowl with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Spread on a baking sheet and bake until crisp, tossing halfway through, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, make the dressing: Puree the yogurt, 2 tablespoons parmesan, the garlic, anchovies, lemon juice, mustard and 2 tablespoons water in a mini food processor or a blender. Pound the chicken between 2 pieces of plastic wrap with a heavy skillet until 1/2 inch thick. Brush a rimmed baking sheet with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil; add the chicken and season with salt. Brush evenly with 1 tablespoon of the dressing and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons parmesan. Broil, undisturbed, until golden and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board. Toss the lettuce, croutons and the remaining dressing and 3/4 cup parmesan in a large bowl. Thinly slice the chicken. Divide the salad among bowls, top with the chicken and season with pepper.
• Photograph by Christopher Testani

CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Tear 1 medium ciabatta into big, ragged croutons or, if you prefer, cut with a bread knife. Spread over a large baking sheet or tray and sprinkle over 2 tbsp olive oil.
• Rub the oil into the bread and season with a little salt if you like (sea salt crystals are best for this). Bake for 8-10 mins, turning the croutons a few times during cooking so they brown evenly.
• Rub 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts with 1 tbsp olive oil, season. Place pan over a medium heat for 1 min, until hot, but not smoking. Lay the chicken on the pan (it will sizzle if it's hot enough) and leave for 4 mins.
• Turn the chicken, then cook for 4 mins more. Check if it's cooked by poking the tip of a sharp knife into the thickest part; there should be no sign of pink and juices will run clear.
• Bash 1 garlic clove with the flat of a knife and peel off the skin. Crush with a garlic crusher. Mash 2 anchovies with a fork against the side of a small bowl.
• Grate a handful of parmesan cheese and mix with the garlic, anchovies, 5 tbsp mayonnaise and 1 tbsp white wine vinegar. Season to taste. It should be the consistency of yogurt - if yours is thicker, stir in a few tsps water to thin it.
• Shave the cheese with a peeler. Tear 1 large cos or romaine lettuce into large pieces and put in a large bowl. Pull chicken into bite-size strips and scatter half over the leaves, along with half the croutons.
• Add most of the dressing and toss with your fingers. Scatter the rest of the chicken and croutons, then drizzle with the remaining dressing. Sprinkle the parmesan on top and serve straight away.

THE ULTIMATE MAKEOVER: CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Marinate the chicken. Mix the lemon juice, oil, thyme and garlic in a shallow dish. Add the chicken and turn it over in the marinade to coat well. Season with freshly ground pepper and leave for up to 2 hrs.
• Heat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Slice, then cut the bread into big, rough cubes for the croutons. Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then brush all over with the 2 tbsp oil. Bake for about 10 mins until golden and crisp.
• Meanwhile, put the garlic into a mini blender with the mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, chilli and anchovies. Blend until smooth, add the mayonnaise and yogurt, then blend again - it should be the consistency of double cream. Adjust the taste with lemon juice and pepper. If necessary, thin with a couple of tsps of cold water to get the consistency right so it will coat the leaves.
• Heat a griddle pan until very hot. Lay the chicken on the griddle, on the side that had the skin on. Cook for 15-16 mins, turning once or twice, until cooked through. Remove, then let the meat sit for 5 mins before slicing.
• Keep any small inner lettuce leaves whole, tear the larger outer leaves into 2-3 pieces, then put them all into a large bowl with the rocket or watercress. Pour just under half the dressing over the leaves and carefully toss to coat - it's gentler to use your hands. Either assemble in the bowl, or pile the leaves onto individual plates, tucking in the croutons, chicken and Parmesan. Drizzle the rest of the dressing over and around, then finish with an extra squeeze of lemon.

LOW-FAT CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Dressing: In blender, combine garlic, yogurt, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard. Blend until combined. Add in olive oil slowly. Blend until combined. Add Parmesan cheese and pepper. Blend slowly. Croutons: Tear up bread into good-sized cubes. Add to hot pan with olive oil. Saute the bread pieces on both sides until firm and slightly browned. Put on paper towel to rest for a second and add salt and pepper. Assemble salad: Place lettuce in large bowl. Add croutons and chicken. Pour dressing over the entire salad and mix. Sprinkle with more Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!