Description
A quick and flavorful Chicken Caesar Crispy Rice Salad combining shredded chicken, crisp romaine lettuce, and crunchy crispy rice cereal tossed in Caesar dressing, with a delightful twist of garlic-seasoned crispy rice made on the stovetop.
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 & Cooking
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Heat the skillet: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil, allowing it to warm through.
- Add spices: When the olive oil is hot, sprinkle in garlic powder, black pepper, and salt, stirring to fully combine and release the flavors.
- Crisp the rice: Add the cooked rice to the skillet. Stir occasionally, letting it cook for about 4-5 minutes until the rice becomes slightly crispy and golden.
- Cool the crispy rice: Remove the skillet from the heat and transfer the crispy rice to a separate dish to cool for a few minutes to prevent wilting the lettuce later.
- Prepare salad base: In a large mixing bowl, place the shredded cooked chicken as the protein base.
- Add greens: Incorporate the chopped romaine lettuce into the bowl with the chicken for a fresh and crunchy element.
- Toss dressing: Pour the Caesar dressing over the chicken and lettuce, tossing thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly with the creamy dressing.
- Combine crispy rice: Once the crispy rice has cooled slightly, add it to the salad bowl to introduce crunch and texture contrasts.
- Gentle toss: Toss the salad gently but thoroughly to distribute the crispy rice evenly without crushing it.
- Add cheese topping: Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the salad for added savory richness.
- Serve and enjoy: Plate the salad immediately to preserve the crispy texture and enjoy the harmonious blend of flavors and textures.
Notes
- For best texture, ensure the rice is well cooled after crisping before mixing with the salad ingredients.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator but the crispy texture will diminish; add fresh crispy rice when serving again.
- Use freshly grated parmesan for optimal flavor and melt if you prefer a warmer salad variation.
- The crispy rice cereal adds extra crunch—feel free to adjust the amount according to preference.
- This salad is perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner, balancing protein, greens, and satisfying crunch.
