Description
This Vegan Chicken Caesar Salad is a bold, satisfying, and healthy plant-based twist on the classic Caesar. Featuring crispy vegan chicken, creamy dairy-free Caesar dressing, and homemade croutons, it’s a crave-worthy lunch or light dinner that even non-vegans will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz store-bought vegan chicken strips or fillets (such as Gardein, Daring, or Tofurky)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked in hot water for 15 minutes
- 1/4 cup water (plus more to thin as needed)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp capers, drained
- 2 tsp white miso paste
- 2 small garlic cloves
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 large head romaine lettuce (about 8 cups, chopped and washed)
- 1/2 cup vegan parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
- 2 cups day-old bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (sourdough or ciabatta; gluten-free if needed)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Freshly cracked pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss bread cubes with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
- Spread bread cubes in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 8–12 minutes, shaking halfway, until golden and crispy. Cool completely.
- Drain soaked cashews and add to a blender with 1/4 cup water, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, Dijon, capers, miso, garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp salt, and black pepper.
- Blend on high until smooth and creamy, about 1–2 minutes. Add more water if needed to reach a pourable consistency. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Pat vegan chicken pieces dry. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add vegan chicken, sprinkle with 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp salt, and pepper.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5–7 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove from heat and let cool slightly, then slice or tear into strips.
- In a large salad bowl, toss chopped romaine with half of the Caesar dressing.
- Add vegan chicken, croutons, cherry tomatoes (if using), and vegan parmesan.
- Drizzle with more dressing and toss gently.
- Top with extra black pepper and vegan parmesan before serving.
Notes
For gluten-free, use gluten-free bread and vegan chicken. For nut-free, swap cashews for silken tofu in the dressing. Make dressing and croutons ahead for quick assembly. Toss salad just before serving for best texture. Adjust dressing thickness with water as needed. Store components separately for freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 2 packed cups
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 7
- Protein: 20
Keywords: vegan caesar salad, vegan chicken caesar, plant-based lunch, dairy-free caesar, healthy vegan salad, easy vegan lunch, meal prep salad, vegan comfort food