Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad with Crispy Onions

Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad with Crispy Onions is a delicious and modern take on the classic Chicken Caesar Salad recipe! Summer time calls for this easy salad recipe!

Watch this Recipe Cooked Step-by-Step

Admittedly, I am not a salad girl, although I really wish I was. This healthy salad recipe might change that.

I would love to be the girl who orders a salad at lunch time and happily munches through the greens and veggies, but I am not. I am more of the order a burger type of gal. Well this Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad with Crispy Onions may just change my mind, and help me to eat more salads at home!

This is not your plain ol’ regular Caesar salad. The chicken gets kicked up a notch with delicious blackening seasoning and the croutons are replaced with crispy onions! You know you have a bag of those sitting in your pantry waiting for green bean casserole season to come upon us again, so now you have another reason to use them! Actually, homemade fried onions are even better in this salad, but sometimes you don’t have time to make those and the store bought onions make a great substitute!

If I am going to eat a salad, it must have cheese! I love Caesar salads because of the super salty and nutty Parmesan, and this version certainly doesn’t disappoint. My secret for getting the beautiful strips of cheese is to use a vegetable peeler and run it along the edge of your cheese wedge! It makes for the perfect thin slices of Parmesan in your salad.

I love this salad for summertime because it is so easy to throw together and you don’t have to heat up your kitchen. Ryan cooked the chicken on the grill while I assembled the ingredients and it took less than 15 minutes till we had dinner on the table. Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad with Crispy Onions is definitely the perfect summertime salad and I hope it graces your table sometime soon!

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Blackened Chicken Caesar Salads with Crispy Onions

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings 2 people

Author Amanda @ Old House to New Home

Ingredients

• 2 heads romaine lettuce chopped
• 2 breasts chicken
• 1/2 cup fresh Parmesan shaved
• 1/2 cup crispy fried onions
• Caesar dressing desired amount
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp blackening spice
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved optional

Instructions

1. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium high heat.
2. Sprinkle chicken with blackening seasoning and place on grill when hot. Cook 6-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
3. While chicken is cooking, add lettuce, parmesan, and tomatoes to a large salad bowl.
4. When chicken is cooked, let rest for at least 5 minutes. Slice and then lay over the lettuce. Sprinkle with fried onions and then drizzle with dressing. Season with pepper.

Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad with Crispy Onions: Healthy Swaps, Flavor Add-Ins, and Mom-Tested Shortcuts

As a mom who’s always trying to make dinner feel both satisfying and nutritious, this blackened chicken Caesar salad with crispy onions has become a weeknight staple in our home. It’s packed with flavor from the smoky seasoning on the chicken, balanced with the crunch of fresh romaine lettuce, and topped off with crispy onions that make it feel just indulgent enough to satisfy everyone at the table.

Whether I’m serving this as a quick lunch for myself or a family-friendly dinner, this easy chicken Caesar salad recipe offers all the comfort of a classic while sneaking in some lean protein and veggies. Best of all, it’s easy to customize based on what you have on hand or what your kids will eat without protest. Below are my favorite ingredient alternatives, flavor-boosting additions, and tips to make this dish even more versatile.

Ingredient Alternatives for Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad

Chicken Options
While the recipe calls for spicy blackened chicken, you can easily tailor it to suit your family’s preferences:

• Use grilled or rotisserie chicken for a milder version
• Try air-fried chicken tenders for a crispy but lighter variation
• For a plant-based option, use seasoned tofu, tempeh, or chickpea “chicken” strips

Lettuce Substitutes
Romaine is traditional in a Caesar salad, but don’t be afraid to switch it up:

• Use kale for a more nutrient-dense base (massage with a little olive oil to soften)
• Spring mix or baby spinach work well for a gentler flavor
• Iceberg adds a kid-approved crunch

Dressing Alternatives
If you’re watching calories or making this for younger kids, try:

• A yogurt-based Caesar dressing for a creamy, lower-fat option
• Light Caesar or vinaigrette for a tangier, healthier Caesar salad with chicken
• Homemade dressing using olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and grated Parmesan

Crispy Onion Substitutes and Add-Ons

The crispy onions are what take this from a basic salad to something crave-worthy. Here are some ideas to adjust or elevate that topping:

• Use gluten-free crispy fried onions for allergy-friendly diets
• Try shallot crisps, roasted chickpeas, or garlic croutons as crunchy alternatives
• Add a handful of crushed seasoned pretzels or baked tortilla strips for texture
• Sprinkle on toasted almonds or sunflower seeds for extra crunch and nutrients

Optional Add-Ins to Dress It Up

To give this blackened chicken Caesar salad more depth or make it dinner-party worthy, consider:

• Sliced avocado for creaminess and healthy fats
• Cherry tomatoes for color and brightness
• Shaved Brussels sprouts or red cabbage for crunch and fiber
• Hard-boiled eggs for protein-packed fullness
• Freshly shaved Parmesan or crumbled feta for salty contrast
• A squeeze of fresh lemon juice or cracked pepper just before serving

Meal Prep and Family-Friendly Tips

As a mom, I love that this chicken Caesar salad with crispy onions is easy to prep ahead. Here’s how I make it weeknight-friendly:

• Blacken and slice the chicken up to 3 days in advance and store in the fridge
• Wash and chop the lettuce and store it in a paper towel-lined container for freshness
• Keep the crispy toppings and dressing separate until serving
• Let kids build their own salad bowls to encourage independence and reduce food waste

This works beautifully for school lunches or quick family dinners, especially when served with a slice of garlic toast or pita on the side.

A Mother’s Perspective on Simple, Flavorful Meals

This blackened chicken Caesar salad with crispy onions checks all the boxes for me as a mom—it’s flavorful, fast, and packed with protein and veggies. It’s one of those meals that feels restaurant-worthy but takes less than 30 minutes to pull together, even on a chaotic weekday. Whether you’re serving it to little ones with plain grilled chicken or spicing it up for the adults, it’s a recipe that adapts to your family’s needs while delivering bold flavor every time.

Try my other favorite Caesar salad! Grilled Romaine Caesar Salad with Asiago Cheese Toast Points

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