Keto Chicken Caesar Salad

A grilled chicken breast atop a pile of chopped romaine gets wrapped in a Caesar dressing that's built the way it should be—with anchovies (or paste), mayonnaise, lemon, Dijon, and plenty of garlic—creating a dressing that's umami-forward, bright, and absolutely crave-worthy at just 5g net carbs. The shaved Parmesan adds a delicate crunch rather than overwhelming the lettuce, and the whole thing tastes like a proper bistro salad, not a compromised diet plate.

The secret to an exceptional Caesar is balancing the anchovy-Dijon intensity with fresh lemon juice and good olive oil; too much mayo and it becomes heavy, too little and it won't coat the lettuce evenly. Pound your chicken breast to even thickness and grill it hot and fast so you get a good crust but the interior stays tender, then let it rest before slicing. If you're making this ahead, dress the salad just before serving or the lettuce will wilt—but you can absolutely prep the dressing, cook the chicken, and make the Parmesan shavings 4-5 hours in advance. A grind of black pepper and a squeeze of fresh lemon at the table takes this from good to unforgettable.