Chicken Caesar salad is a classic salad that you can find on menus everywhere. It features crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, savory chicken, and a creamy, garlicky dressing. But what really brings this salad together is the cheese. The right cheese provides a salty, umami punch that perfectly balances the other ingredients.
So if you’re making chicken Caesar salad at home, what cheese should you use? Here are 10 of the best options for cheese to top your chicken Caesar salad.
Parmesan
Parmesan cheese is the most iconic and traditional choice for Caesar salad. This hard Italian cheese has a salty, nutty flavor and granular texture that gives the salad a delicious richness. Parmesan works perfectly with the creamy dressing and brings everything together. Just make sure to use freshly grated Parmesan rather than pre-shredded cheese which can have anti-caking agents that affect the flavor. Freshly shaved Parmesan adds a wonderful finishing touch.
Pecorino Romano
Similar to Parmesan, Pecorino Romano is a sheep’s milk cheese from Italy with a bold, salty flavor. It has a bit more bitterness and bite than Parmesan. Pecorino Romano gives your Caesar salad a sharpness that cuts through the rich dressing. Use it in addition to or instead of Parmesan for a slightly different take.
Asiago
Asiago is an Italian cow’s milk cheese with a firm, crumbly texture. It has a nutty, mild flavor that is less intense than Parmesan but adds nice complexity. Asiago blends well with the other Caesar ingredients without being overpowering. It also holds up well when tossed with the salad.
Cheddar
For an American twist on Caesar salad, use shredded cheddar cheese. Sharp cheddar in particular pairs beautifully with the garlicky dressing It adds a tangy flavor and creamy texture when it melts slightly Just avoid pre-shredded cheddar which can have poor meltability. Shred your own cheese for the best results.
Blue Cheese
Crumble tangy, pungent blue cheese over your chicken Caesar for a punch of flavor. The boldness of blue cheese contrasts wonderfully with the rich dressing and mild lettuce. A little goes a long way, so add it sparingly if you’re not a big blue cheese fan. Gorgonzola, Roquefort, or Stilton are all good options.
Feta
For a Greek-inspired take, use briny, creamy feta cheese. Crumble the feta over the salad for pops of salty flavor in each bite. It also adds nice moisture. Just don’t overdo the feta or it can make your salad too salty.
Goat Cheese
The tangy, earthy flavor of goat cheese is fantastic on a chicken Caesar salad. Goat cheese has a creamier, more crumbly texture than Parmesan that gives a nice contrast. Try a log of fresh goat cheese and slice or crumble it over the salad.
Havarti
Havarti is a mild Danish cheese with a semi-soft, smooth texture. It has a buttery, creamy flavor that works well atop a Caesar salad. Havarti melts nicely, so it blends well with the warm chicken and dressing.
Swiss
For another mild option, use sliced or shredded Swiss cheese. The nutty, mellow flavor of Swiss blends perfectly with Caesar ingredients without covering them up. Swiss cheese also has great meltability which gives a lovely creamy finish.
Mozzarella
Fresh mozzarella adds milky flavor and soft, shredded texture to chicken Caesar salad. Part-skim mozzarella is a budget-friendly choice, or splurge on moist buffalo mozzarella. Just don’t use pre-shredded mozzarella which can be dry and rubbery. Slice or shred it yourself instead.
So there you have it – 10 delicious cheeses to top your chicken Caesar salad! Parmesan is the classic choice, but branch out and try Pecorino Romano, Asiago, or Havarti for something a bit different. Blue cheese and goat cheese also make flavorful additions. The most important thing is to use high-quality, fresh cheese and add it just before serving to prevent sogginess. With the perfect cheese accompaniment, chicken Caesar salad makes a hearty, satisfying meal.
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How to Make Croutons for Caesar Salad
The crunchy homemade garlic croutons really elevate this salad. The cheese crusted onto each little toast will have you snacking on these croutons!
- Cut the baguette in half lengthwise and slice into 1/4″ thick pieces and place on a baking sheet.
- Combine 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil with minced garlic. Toss the croutons with garlic-infused oil and 2 Tbsp finely grated Parmesan.
- Spread them evenly onto the baking sheet and bake until crisp and golden at the edges. If you want to store these for later, bake until they are fully dried out.
How to Keep Lettuce Crisp
Over the years, I’ve learned some great tips to keep romaine crisp, and these tips make all the difference in the texture of the salad.
- Rinse in Cold Water – keeping the lettuce cold will keep it crisp.
- Start with Dry Leaves – my salad spinner is my best friend. Chop, rinse and spin dry the leaves to remove as much water as possible. It’s a major time-saver, and it does a better job of drying.
- Chill Lettuce Before Using – Once the romaine is rinsed and dried, store it in an airtight container or a zip-top bag with a paper towel to absorb moisture.
This Chicken Caesar Salad Is Wrapped In Cheese!
FAQ
What cheese do you put in a chicken caesar salad?
- 6 cups tightly packed chopped romaine lettuce.
- 1 pound cooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips.
- ½ cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese, such as Cracker Barrel.
- ½ cup seasoned croutons.
- ¼ cup creamy Caesar dressing, such as Kraft.
What type of cheese goes on top of Caesar salad?
This classic Caesar salad recipe features crisp romaine, crunchy croutons, and Parmesan cheese. A creamy, tangy homemade dressing ties it together. This Caesar salad recipe is classic and delicious. It features a base of crisp romaine lettuce topped with crunchy croutons and plenty of shaved Parmesan cheese.
What cheese is good for caesar?
Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (or parmesan cheese) — Parmigiano-Reggiano is the absolute best cheese for Caesar salad, but regular parmesan cheese works well too! I like to use the coarse setting of a box grater to grate my cheese. Coarsely grated cheese can’t be beaten in Caesar salad!
What type of cheese with chicken salad?
Sharp cheddar cheese– I prefer to use sharp cheddar because you get more flavor with less cheese. You don’t have to overtake the salad with the shredded cheese to really incorporate the flavor.