Description
This Chicken Caesar Crispy Rice Salad is a delightful twist on a classic Caesar salad, combining tender shredded chicken, crunchy romaine lettuce, and flavorful Caesar dressing with the unexpected addition of crispy pan-toasted rice and crispy rice cereal for extra texture. It’s a quick and easy recipe perfect for a satisfying lunch or light dinner, delivering a balanced blend of savory flavors and a variety of textures in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 1/2 cups cooked rice
- 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/4 cup Caesar dressing
- 1/2 cup crispy rice cereal
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
Seasoning and Cooking
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the skillet and heat the oil: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil, allowing it to get hot before proceeding.
- Add seasonings to the oil: Sprinkle in the garlic powder, black pepper, and salt into the hot olive oil, stirring to combine and infuse flavor into the oil.
- Toast the cooked rice: Add the cooked rice to the skillet with the seasoned oil. Stir occasionally as the rice cooks for about 4-5 minutes, until it becomes slightly crispy and golden.
- Cool the crispy rice: Remove the skillet from the heat and set aside the crispy rice to cool for a few minutes to maintain its texture when added to the salad.
- Combine chicken and lettuce: In a large mixing bowl, add the shredded cooked chicken and chopped romaine lettuce.
- Add dressing and toss: Pour the Caesar dressing over the chicken and lettuce mixture, tossing everything together until well coated.
- Incorporate crispy rice: Once the crispy rice has cooled slightly, add it along with the crispy rice cereal to the bowl. Gently toss to evenly distribute the crunchy elements through the salad.
- Add parmesan topping: Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over the top of the salad for added cheesy flavor.
- Serve: Serve immediately to enjoy the crispiness and fresh flavors of the salad.
Notes
- Be sure to let the crispy rice cool slightly before adding it to the salad to maintain its crunch.
- You can substitute grilled chicken if you prefer more smoky flavor.
- For a lighter option, use a low-fat Caesar dressing or reduce the amount of dressing.
- This salad is best served fresh; storing with the crispy rice mixed in can make it soggy.
- To make it gluten-free, confirm the Caesar dressing and crispy rice cereal are gluten-free varieties.
