Chicken Caesar Salad

With its anchovy-based dressing that has achieved worldwide renown, the Caesar has established itself as the king of named salads.

This healthy, easy-to-prepare dish is a showcase for quality ingredients, elevated by a simple preparation that brings out its authentic taste. Our version is topped with farm-fresh chicken breast, lightly seared and finished in the oven. The distinctive Caesar dressing is easy to make at home from scratch. Simply follow the chef’s recipe for a grand classic that has become a staple around the world, including in French brasseries.

Dressing

• 12.5g fresh lemon juice (about 120ml)
• 12.5g oil-packed anchovies
• 18.5g Dijon mustard (about 1 tbsp)
• 12.5g Worcestershire sauce (about 120ml)
• 35g red wine vinegar (about 350ml)
• 1 clove garlic, blanched
• 50g grated parmesan
• 100g homemade mayonnaise
• 250ml olive oil

Chicken

• 2 chicken breasts, preferably free-range
• Salt and pepper
• Thyme
• Bay leaf
• Garlic
• Butter

Salad

• 1 head romaine lettuce, roughly torn
• Croutons
• Shaved parmesan
• 20 pieces of sun-dried tomatoes
• Chives
• Salt and pepper
  

Dressing
In a blender, combine the lemon juice, anchovies, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar and garlic. Pour the mixture into a mixing bowl, then stir in the grated parmesan, mayonnaise and olive oil.

Chicken
Salt and pepper the chicken breasts, then sear both sides in a hot pan. Place them in an oven-safe dish, and top each with thyme, bay leaf, garlic and butter. Bake until the centre reaches 120°C (250°F). Occasionally baste the chicken with the buttery pan juice as it cooks. After the chicken has cooled, slice each breast into thin pieces.

Salad
In a mixing bowl, toss together the romaine, croutons and shaved parmesan.

Assembly
Divide the salad among four plates, and top each one with a quarter of the chicken slices and five sun-dried tomatoes. Drizzle the dressing over each salad, then sprinkle chopped chives over each. Finish with a pinch of fleur de sel and some freshly ground pepper.

My personal touch: add an extra note of refinement by infusing the Caesar salad dressing with some caviar.